Working Waterfront

Waves of change in Boothbay Harbor, Popham

The broad sands of Popham Beach have been battered by storms in recent years, diminishing the distance between dunes and the ocean. But according to a story in the Bangor Daily News, “a new torrent of change is buffeting Popham, this time spawned by the confluence of aging local dynasties… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Lobster landings drop, but industry remains optimistic

Lobster landings fell off significantly this season compared with 2016. But 2016 was a record year, and some fishermen aren’t surprised to see a drop-off. They also believe the resource remains healthy. “It’s been a different year, for sure,” said Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen's Association in… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Facebook feedback: What our readers say about Maine and hurricanes

Maine may be relatively safe from hurricanes, but warming waters could change that status. We certainly are not immune from sea level rise. So, what should Maine's response be? We asked those who follow The Working Waterfront on our Facebook page to weigh-in: Should the state implement a comprehensive approach?… SEE MORE

Randy Cushman explains the workings of his modified net.

Working Waterfront

Randy Cushman’s balancing act… with a net

Long-time Port Clyde fisherman Randy Cushman is getting good results with his experiments to reduce flounder bycatch by increasing the mesh size of his net. It’s a bit of a balancing act. He’s aiming to find the right mesh size that will decrease bycatch of juveniles but still retain marketable… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Estuary Beat: St. George clam flats, Saco River islands, and sturgeon

Pollution closes clam flats in the St. George River Shellfish harvesting areas in the St. George River, which runs from Waldo County to Knox County, were closed in early September in response to a sewage leak. The Thomaston Pollution Control Department worked to identify the source of the leak after… SEE MORE

Will Calkins and Abby Proctor at King Tide Farm

Working Waterfront

King Tide Farm takes root on Vinalhaven

Abby Proctor greets her customers at the Vinalhaven flea market with a bright smile and a friendly demeanor. She is soft-spoken and easy-going as she makes change and describes her freshly made pesto. For now, Proctor, 25, is the reluctant face of King Tide Farm. "It's very intimidating to be… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

How Tasmania’s lobster fishery responded to algal blooms

By Susie Arnold, Ph. D. and Heather Deese, Ph. D. What issue has the ability to close down a fishery overnight, during peak fishing season, with no idea when fishing can resume? That question was posed by Hilary Revill, manager of the rock lobster fishery for the state of Tasmania,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

To know, but not possess an island

Where Edges Don’t Hold: A Small Island Miscellany By Christina Marsden Gillis; CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2017 In her introduction to this collection, Christina Gillis notes that in organizing Where Edges Don’t Hold: A Small Island Miscellany, she had in mind readers who identify “with the emerging field of Island… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Boston considers seawall to fight rising seas

Communities along Maine’s coast have endured several storm-related floods in recent years, and discussions are underway for how to make these communities more adaptable in the face of projected sea level rise. Maine municipal planners may be interested to learn how their counterparts in Boston are approaching this challenge. A… SEE MORE

Conference attendees at Whaleback Shell Midden Historic Site in Damariscotta listen to Arthur Spiess

Working Waterfront

Ancient shell middens speak of climate and culture

It’s not often that ordinary folks get to help protect the state’s ancient cultural history, but a group of academics, archaeologists, and scientists is spearheading a citizen scientist initiative to do just that. These newly minted citizen scientists will monitor some of the state’s 2,000 or so known prehistoric shell… SEE MORE