Working Waterfront

Maine-based hydropower innovator lands capital

Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), a developer of renewable power systems that harness energy from free-flowing rivers and tidal currents, announced that it has secured a $20 million investment commitment with an additional $5 million coming in the fall. The investment comes from a consortium led by Canadian Shield Capital in… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Why we must let salt marshes ‘breathe’

Salt marshes comprise more than 22,000 acres, or 34 square miles, in Maine. These ecosystems provide myriad ecological and climate services, such as habitat for wildlife, including endangered species, buffering of coastal flooding, and carbon sequestration. But, if you aren't a bird enthusiast, waterbird hunter, or a marsh ecologist, you… 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 strong financial… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Bluefin: Gladiator of the sea, delicacy on the plate

When a Western Atlantic bluefin tuna takes the hook, the effect isn’t subtle. “They’re like a freight train hitting on your rod-and-reel,” long-time Portland fisherman Pete Speeches said of the massive fish. “The reel streams off and the fight is on. It can be 10 minutes or 10 hours.” [caption… SEE MORE

Volunteer water reporter Carina Brown found a jellyfish washed up on Scarborough Beach in August 2020.

Working Waterfront

Giant jellyfish at home in Maine

Summer is here and it’s not only more human visitors crowding into the state. There are also reports that large numbers of lion’s mane jellyfish have been spotted in Maine waters, but no one knows for sure if they are more abundant than usual. [caption id="attachment_26582" align="alignleft" width="325"] A Lion's… SEE MORE

The site where research discovered microbes that have not evolved. PHOTO: DUANE MOSER/DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE.

Working Waterfront

Isolated microbes provide window into evolution

It's like something out of science fiction. Research led by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences has revealed that a group of microbes, which feed off chemical reactions triggered by radioactivity, have been at an evolutionary standstill for millions of years. The discovery could have significant implications for biotechnology applications and… SEE MORE

Environment

Working Waterfront

Local we know, sustainable we hope

Sunday afternoons, starting the last Sunday in May, a small farmer’s market sets up next to the Up-Island Church (formerly the Free Will Baptist Church, now a preservation society) while cars line Church Turn containing customers ready to pounce on seedlings, vegetables, eggs, honey, all kinds of island-grown fresh stuff.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A deeper meaning of ‘lost at sea’

Several years ago, I visited Ireland with my son, a musician, and one day we ventured to a small coastal village in search of the grave of a famous Irish traditional singer whose voice and repertoire had shaped my son’s first music in a fundamental way. At the local pub,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

How to best crunch the greenhouse gas numbers

Carbon pollution, also known as greenhouse gas emissions, is detrimental to the current way of life on Earth. In 2003, Maine became a climate leader for the nation when it became the first state to enact legislation setting specific greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. Since then, many other states have… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Ocean economy changing—so should conversation

Drive down any part of Route 1 and you’re bound to spot at least a few signs sporting phrases like “Save the Fishermen, Stop the Mills,” or “Stop Ocean Industrialization.” Given the challenges facing Maine’s fishing industry, it’s no surprise people are concerned about the future of their coastal communities.… SEE MORE