Working Waterfront

A sober measure of ocean resilience

When we talk about ocean resilience, we are talking about capacity to heal and sustain ocean systems over time when interrupted by natural events such as extreme weather, flooding, and earthquakes. The challenge is the intrusion of human activities such as nearshore development, agricultural run-off, industrial pollution, filling and dredging,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Revisiting Isaac’s Storm

Isaac’s Storm: A man, a time, and the deadliest hurricane in history By Erik Larson Now that nearly everyone with a three-digit IQ has come to realize that “denial” is not just a river in Egypt, confronting the relentless challenges of climate change has emerged as a global priority, should… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Progress through personal connection

Reflections is written by Island Fellows, recent college grads who do community service work on Maine islands and in coastal communities through the Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront. When my fellowship began a year ago, I’ll admit I was a bit lost. My host organization, the Downeast Institute… SEE MORE

Ethan DeBery, owner of Fish 'n Trips, in Phippsburg aboard his AJ-28-foot lobster boat.

Working Waterfront

Lobster tour operators say demand is strong

PHOTOS BY KELLI PARK How well is Ethan DeBery doing with lobster boat charters? So well, that he has advice for his colleagues. “People have asked me, ‘Why don’t half of the lobstermen do this?’ I tell my buddies to get their captain licenses and I could send them fishing… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Leaving gas vehicles in the rear-view mirror

Until last winter, the transition from good-old gasoline cars to cutting-edge electric vehicles (EVs) felt like a distant, probably leisurely affair. To many in Maine, it still does. And why not? You don’t see many EVs around and nobody seems to be trying very hard to sell them to Mainers.… SEE MORE

McDonald holds one of her daughters while on a friend's boat in Stonington harbor.

Working Waterfront

The lobstering legislator

PHOTOS BY MICHELE STAPLETON Near the end of our conversation, Genevieve McDonald drops a bit of a bombshell by saying she is applying for law school and hopes to begin classes in the fall of 2022. This comes after she has described her work as a state legislator, her work… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

On the record with… Cathy Ramsdell of Friends of Casco Bay

When Friends of Casco Bay formed in 1989, the water was some of the most polluted in the nation. Today, the bay is far cleaner and healthier, with strong protections in place thanks in large part to Cathy Ramsdell, the organization’s executive director since 2003. Ramsdell ushered Friends toward a… SEE MORE

Seen here is a visualization of a salmon processing facility and hatchery proposed at the former Maine Fair Trade Lobster facility in Gouldsboro. IMAGE: COURTESY AMERICAN AQUAFARMS

Working Waterfront

Frenchman Bay salmon farm sparks opposition

A proposal by a Norwegian firm to install a large salmon farm in Frenchman Bay is drawing fire from a range of local stakeholders. American Aquafarms was launched in Portland last year by Mikael Rones, CEO of Global AS, which is based in Trondheim, Norway. The firm submitted applications earlier… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A lesson in patience: Flycasting for striped bass

Ask anyone who knows me well, and they will tell you that I am not known for my patience. It’s become a bit of a recurring joke with my Island Institute teammates—want a quick decision? Call Sue. The downside: I don’t often think things all the way through before launching… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

State budget funds working waterfront protection

The state budget adopted in early summer dedicates $40 million to the Land for Maine’s Future program and at least ten percent of that money will be used to preserve working waterfront access for commercial fishing. Historically, the land access preservation program is funded through voter-approved bond referenda, but the… SEE MORE