The Casco Bay Lines Maquoit II, seen here in file photo, will be replaced by a new vessel paid for in part by a federal grant.

Working Waterfront

Casco Bay ferry gets $3.6 million for new boat

The Casco Bay Island Transit District—known to most as the Casco Bay Lines that operates ferry service between Portland and a half-dozen islands in Casco Bay—has won a $3.6 million federal grant to help build a replacement for the aged Maquoit II which carries passengers and freight to the five… SEE MORE

Allen Island, with part of Benner Island visible at right. Monhegan Island is also visible at the top of the image. PHOTO: COURTESY COLBY COLLEGE

Working Waterfront

Colby takes over stewardship of Wyeth islands

Colby College in Waterville has become the new steward of two historic islands where renowned American artist Andrew Wyeth painted some of his greatest works, inspired and influenced by the landscape and architecture that were curated by his wife, Betsy Wyeth. Colby has taken ownership of Allen and Benner islands… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Other waterfronts—Texas works on storm protection system

A recent Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission report warned that some 3,500 acres of land in Wells, Kennebunk, and York were at increased risk of flooding because of rising sea levels. The commission is working with a coalition of municipalities and organizations to plan how best to prevent flood… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Maine delegation can lead to climate safety

Both my wife and I grew up in Maine, but it wasn’t until we married that I adopted her family’s tradition of buying pounds of wholesale Maine shrimp and spending New Year’s Day (my mother-in-law’s birthday) shelling and freezing them for the coming months. It was an annual ceremony straight… SEE MORE

Eastport's breakwater anchorage. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

Eastport turns down Russian ship request

When a cargo ship en route to Montreal from Russia with 8,000 tons of petroleum product recently found itself in need of some short-term parking, the shippers involved contacted Washington County's Eastport Port Authority. The North Atlantic's deepest ports include Eastport's cargo terminal and downtown breakwater dock, which in June… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Circulation, temperature data reveals future

Before COVID, this time of year would see the fishing and marine science community gearing up for the annual Maine Fishermen's Forum. It's a venue to share information about the Gulf of Maine—pretty much everything that helps and hinders those who rely on it to make a living. This will… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A Maine island take on Candlemas

On Feb. 2, many Americans look to Pennsylvania to see if the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil emerges to see his shadow or not. If he does, it means there are six more weeks of winter. Folks, on Feb. 2, there will be six more weeks of winter no matter what. Some… SEE MORE

A fishing boat in Rockland Harbor. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

Lobster harvest sets dollar record

Recently updated data from the Maine Department of Marine Resources shows 2021 as the most valuable year in the history of Maine's lobster fishery. At $724,949,426, the landed value for the iconic fishery jumped by 75 percent over 2020, by far the single largest increase in value, year over year.… SEE MORE

The Steller's sea eagle lands on a tree. PHOTO: COURTESY LINDA CUNNINGHAM

Working Waterfront

Rare Asian eagle’s strange journey to Maine

A rare Asian eagle flew over the water pursued by a smaller local bird, a bald eagle, as more than a hundred people watched from the shore of Georgetown on New Year’s Eve. People had gathered at this precise spot in the hopes of seeing the rare bird, said to… SEE MORE

Environment

Working Waterfront

The changing climate of Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon face challenges, many of which—dams, pollution, predators—have been problematic for a long time. But as temperatures rise, precipitation and melt increase, and seasons shift, the pressure is increasing. In their migrations from river to sea and back again, Maine’s wild Atlantic salmon, on the Endangered Species List since… SEE MORE