Working Waterfront

Island fire rekindles fears, appreciation

By Phil Showell More than 50 years ago I was sitting on a porch at my parent’s place on Sheep Island. It lies in the New Meadows River, opposite the Basin, a sensually stunning refuge from stormy weather known to most who cruise Maine’s coast. I was riveted by what… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A renewed river benefits people and wildlife

As if on cue, a tagged Atlantic salmon was detected swimming above the Howland dam. Soon, people from throughout the state and beyond would gather where the Piscataquis and Penobscot rivers meet to celebrate the completion of a nature-like fish bypass around the dam. The final milestone in the Penobscot… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

The lobster trail—following critter from water to market reveals complexity

An 18-wheel tractor trailer truck is parked near Rockland’s fish pier on a hot day in late June. In the trailer, a couple of men are sliding empty plastic lobster crates toward the back door, where a fork lift operator waits to lift and set them down on the side… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Kayaking: Easy access to ocean, but risks often underestimated

In the 20 years she’s been operating her kayak business, Karen Francoeur estimates she has introduced well over 1,000 people to the joys of paddling on Maine waters. “I started my business when kayaking was becoming a big thing,” she said, back in 1997. The sport took off, she remembers,… SEE MORE

Kaitlyn Mullen at the College of the Atlantic dock.

Working Waterfront

Mullen links ferry with research in Frenchman Bay

A new type of ferry linking Winter Harbor and Bar Harbor that’s also a research platform was established by a woman of many roles. Kaitlyn Mullen is a prominent marine mammal observer, world traveler, doctor of ocean engineering, tour operation manager and captain and professional singer/songwriter. Mullen is also something… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Hail the mighty halibut!

The story of Atlantic halibut, the giant among New England groundfish, is similar to the story of cod: it once lived in vast numbers off our shores and after centuries of fishing its population is now a tiny fraction of what it once was. But unlike cod, the halibut’s story… SEE MORE

Landowner Mark Alley and Island Institute Fellow Jessi Duma at the garden Alley is allowing Duma and her colleagues to bring back after a long period of lying fallow.

Working Waterfront

Cranberry Islanders reseed a growing tradition

Here and there around Great Cranberry Island, a flock of geese runs as one around its pen, a trio of sheep explores a grassy apple orchard, a brace of goats peer through a fence, and a whole lot of gardens in various sizes and configurations bloom with delicious vegetables and… SEE MORE

A view of Belfast's tug boats from the harbor walkway.

Working Waterfront

Stand-off on Belfast’s waterfront illustrates new dynamics

The Island Institute launched this newspaper over 20 years ago in part to highlight the importance of Maine’s working waterfronts. Those properties, from which marine harvesting and other water-dependent businesses operate, were suddenly threatened by commercial and residential development. The most visible example of that threat came when condominiums were… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Fellows explore university-industry marine partnerships

Eight students from Maine universities delved into the science and practice of marine aquaculture recently, thanks to an innovative new program developed by the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias. Students visited sites from Walpole to Eastport under the leadership of University of Maine Darling Marine Center… SEE MORE

A sailboat and cargo ship share the waters off Searsport.

Working Waterfront

Film screened in Belfast June 16 explores conflicting ocean uses

On Thursday, June 16 the film “A New England Story for Sustaining the Sea” will be shown at the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library. A discussion following the film will include two panelists familiar with the needs of stakeholders working to maintain the diverse uses of the ocean.… SEE MORE