A working pier in Jonesport. FILE PHOTO: LESLIE BOWMAN

Working Waterfront

Op-ed: Jonesport fish farm threatens Downeast waters

The pristine and productive marine environment in Chandler and Englishman Bays where Jonesport, Roque Bluffs, and Roque Island are situated is now threatened by the plans of Kingfish Maine to build an industrial-sized, land-based fish farm in Jonesport. I am part of Roque Island Gardner Homestead Corporation, a family community,… SEE MORE

Those attending the Island Institute's Climate Symposium listen to a presenter. PHOTO: JACK SULLIVAN

Working Waterfront

Climate symposium centered on conversation

What if a conference for climate practitioners and problem solvers was based on conversation? We answered this question in September with around 140 gathered in Portland to hear—and discuss—climate-related presentations from a wide variety of those working on such issues. And we learned that it works. Equal time and focus… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Logistical challenges of shipping off-island

I relish the November energy of the island “getting ready” for winter. On the dock and on the roads visitors from tour boats have been replaced with trucks and trailers loaded with traps as fishermen start to bring in their lobster gear. Caretakers have closed most of the summer houses… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

What keeps this teacher on the job

The number 18 has a certain significance in Jewish numerology. The letters used in writing the Hebrew word chai—life—are assigned the numbers ten and eight. Monetary donations and gifts are often given in multiples of 18, and 18 is associated with life and luck. This is the 18th year we’ve… SEE MORE

A lobsterman unloads his gear from his boat in Bar Harbor on a late October Sunday morning. PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

Fewer cruise ship passengers in Bar Harbor

Along with voting in Maine’s gubernatorial and legislative races, residents of some coastal towns made choices on local issues. In Bar Harbor, an ordinance to more strictly regulate cruise ships passed, now limiting 1,000 passengers to come into town each day. Enforcement may remain elusive, though. In the Boothbay area,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Calling island artists, writers, creative spirits

The Island Reader, a creative arts anthology published annually by the Island Outreach program of Maine Seacoast Mission, is accepting submissions for its 2023 edition. SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A belfry, a rope, and a Leatherman

On Aug. 15, 1957, an article appeared in Stonington’s Island Ad-Vantages newspaper reporting on the Isle au Haut church centennial: “Sunday was a great day down on the Gem of the Penobscot. The occasion was the centennial of the Isle au Haut Congregational Church. As the entire community walked up… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Study: lobster has small carbon footprint

In the spring of 2021, the Island Institute undertook a carbon footprint study with Maine-based seafood company and Island Institute partner Luke’s Lobster. It was the first time greenhouse gas emissions were measured along one company’s supply chain of Gulf of Maine lobster. Both the Institute, publisher of The Working… SEE MORE

Wild Blueberry Heritage Center to open in 2023

Working Waterfront

W.R. Allen donates antique canning equipment

Downeast Maine’s Wild Blueberry Heritage Center now owns some of the equipment that helped move the industry into the 20th century. The Wild Blueberry Heritage Center will replace the iconic Wild Blueberry Land bakery and gift shop on Route 1 in Columbia Falls, transforming the giant blueberry dome into a… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Housing is top need, survey finds

Economic diversification and workforce development were rated as the second highest priority. SEE MORE