The Rockland waterfront during the Jan. 9 storm. PHOTO: JACK SULLIVAN

Working Waterfront

Mills seeks disaster declaration

Gov. Janet Mills has formally requested that President Joe Biden issue a major disaster declaration to help Maine’s eight coastal counties recover from the back-to-back severe storms on Jan. 10 and Jan. 13 which brought significant flooding and damage. In a letter to Biden, Mills noted the cost of damage… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

New seafood markets are emerging, and there’s a map to get there

“The demographics are changing,” he said. “People of color are eating far more seafood. They also consume a diversity of seafood.” SEE MORE

Sorting the catch on Vinalhaven. FILE PHOTO: JACK SULLIVAN

Working Waterfront

Seafood landing values up $25 million over 2022

The state Department of Marine Resources announced on March 1 that 2023 was another strong year for Maine commercial fishermen who earned $611 million at the dock point of sales, an increase of more than $25 million over 2022. “The Maine seafood industry continues to be a powerful economic engine… SEE MORE

Mack Point as seen from the western shore of Sears Island. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

State selects Sears Island for wind port

After years of deliberating on the best site to establish a port to service a planned offshore wind turbine array, Gov. Janet Mills announced Feb. 20 that the facility would be built on Sears Island in Searsport. Port facilities in Portland and Eastport were under consideration, as was Mack Point… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Goodbye ‘Pandalus borealis’

Many years ago, my family and I began to spend summers on Vinalhaven. Over the years, first we were summer people, then longer term visitors, and now fortunately homeowners; much has changed. Not the island so much, although it has. But the oceanic world surrounding us. First to go were… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Regional work challenges idea of community

This type of regional collaboration provides a vehicle for improving social and economic opportunity... SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The story of the forgotten sea mink

A group scientists and community members supported by the National Science Foundation are working to understand the role the sea mink played in Maine... SEE MORE

Peter Ralston was named American Lighthouse Foundation’s 2023 “Keeper of the Light.” From left, the foundation’s Nick Korstad, Alan Ells, Bob Trapani, Jr., Ralston, and Jeremy D’Entremont.

Working Waterfront

Peter Ralston honored by Lighthouse Foundation

The American Lighthouse Foundation recently presented Peter Ralston with its Keeper of the Light award during the organization’s year-end gala at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport. Ralston was recognized for his efforts in helping create and guide the Maine Lights Program on the 25th anniversary of its successful completion in… SEE MORE

Rockweed ready for shipping on a ramp in Hancock. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

Rockweed study not accurately explained

Rockweed is a slow-growing, wild seaweed on the rocky coast of Maine. It is highly valued as a commercial fertilizer and debates about how rockweed harvesting should be managed are contentious. To address questions about over-harvesting, academic researchers collaborated with commercial companies to test for effects of a single harvest… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Working on the railroad

Back in my weekly newspaper days, I worked with an old-timer who, in those years, was responsible for settling up with the stores that carried our paper. Now that I think about it, he was probably the age I am now, so strike the “old-timer” crack. Bob grew up in… SEE MORE