Blog

If you’ve turned on the radio or watched the news lately, you may have heard about the proposed regulatory changes to the lobster fishery here in Maine. A recent federal court ruling has directed the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)—one entity responsible for regulating the lobster fishery—to do a better job of protecting right whales in compliance with the Endangered Species Act. Right whales are a highly endangered species that sometimes transit the waters off the coast of Maine. This decision will fast-track a 10-year plan to achieve a 90%…

With hurricane season hitting our southern neighbors earlier than usual, the impacts of climate change were top-of-mind entering the Island Institute’s Climate Symposium on Friday, September 16th. Over 140 mostly…

In spring 2021, we undertook a carbon footprint study with the Maine-based seafood company and partner of the Island Institute, Luke’s Lobster. As two organizations who care deeply about the…

Island Institute does not support the recent decision by Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch to “Red List” the U.S. lobster fishery. They are wrong about our fishery, and we encourage…

The 6th biannual National Working Waterfront Network’s Conference kicked off in Boston this past week! As one of the event sponsors, the Island Institute was proud to attend and represent…

The cost and reliability of energy is a real concern for communities across the country. With skyrocketing gas and oil prices and increasing disruptions from severe weather events as a…

Kelp season seems to come all at once on the coast of Maine. In part due to the nature of the organism and its habitat, and in part due to the needs of kelp harvesters and processors, you can count on most farms being harvested within a couple of weeks in May and June.

On this World Oceans Day, we’re embracing the theme of Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean. We, along with our friends at Luke's Lobster, are spotlighting organizations—both ones we admire and ones we've partnered with—that are taking action for the ocean.

Last fall, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill includes more than 1 billion dollars for ferries. For Maine, with 15 year-round, unbridged island communities, six of whom are served by the state ferry service, this program should make us pay attention. Access to these funds would help ensure the affordability and sustainability of these vital vessels.

The Island Institute was recently awarded a contract through the Governor’s Office of Policy, Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) newly formed regional climate capacity initiative to support the islands of Monhegan, Chebeague, and Long in community-centered climate visioning processes. This exciting opportunity is the most recent example of our ongoing partnership with the state of Maine that aims to maximize local understanding, support, and ownership of climate action work plans.