Working Waterfront

Maine’s caring economy is environmental and personal

An old friend, Glen Libby, stopped by the office recently. Those who know Glen may immediately think of community supported fisheries. Glen and his fellow fishermen began a national trend that connects fishermen to consumers based on the community supported agriculture model, where consumers buy a share of a farmer’s harvest.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Weather forecasting now tailored to islands

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Gray has launched a new forecast product that focuses on Maine’s islands and necks from Casco Bay to Penobscot Bay. The information is part of the recreational forecast already produced for the higher summits across Maine and New Hampshire. The NWS in Gray… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Changes in the ocean: seeing is believing

For many seeking elected office—particularly on the Republican side—endorsing the concept of man-induced “climate change” is a vote-killer. But panelists at a Thursday, March 3 session of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum seemed to step right over the politics to address what they are seeing on the water. And what they… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Lobster catch: 121 million pounds, $500 million

Maine fishermen harvested 121 million pounds of lobster in 2015 that brought them more than $500 million in sales, the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) announced Thursday, March 3. The value of the catch is an increase of $37 million over 2014, which itself set a new record. The lobster… SEE MORE

The working area in the new Maine Coast Sea Vegetables plant in Hancock is bright and spacious.

Working Waterfront

Seaweed processor expands in Hancock

Seaweed processor Maine Coast Sea Vegetables has made its long-anticipated move to a new energy-efficient, 1,800-square-foot building in Hancock. The new facility is just 12 miles from the company’s former home in Franklin, but light years beyond it in terms of size, accessibility and comfort, says owner Shep Erhart. The… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Operation Game Thief offers reward in ‘major’ trap molestation case

Maine Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of $11,000 for information that helps authorities bring the person or people responsible for a major lobster trap molesting case near Jeffrey’s Ledge to justice. A Maine Marine Patrol investigation, which began Monday, Feb. 22, revealed that approximately 200 lobster traps had been hauled by someone… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Lobster license bill wins committee approval

The legislature’s Marine Resources Committee voted unanimously Feb. 24 to advance legislation at improving the efficiency of Maine’s lobster licensing system, speeding up the rate of turnover, shortening wait lists and encouraging young people to continue Maine’s lobstering tradition. “This has been a contentious problem for a long time, and lobsters… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Where on the coast?

Can you identify this week's "mystery harbor"? Here's a hint: It's most certainly on an island. If you think you know the answer, email us at: whereonthecoast@gmail.com. We'll send a copy of the 2015 Island Journal to the first five to correctly identify the island. SEE MORE

A 1970s-vintage postcard showing Beals Island.

Working Waterfront

Greetings from Maine!

If Maine is indeed "Vacationland," the state should be well-documented in postcards. And it is, as can be seen in Maine Memories: A Vintage Postcard Tour, by John Brunkowski and Michael Closen. SEE THE SLIDESHOW The couple had visited Maine in their RV for about 30 years, Closen says, "and… SEE MORE

Maine Maritime Academy vessels docked at the campus in Castine.

Working Waterfront

Winter training cruise imparts laptop lesson

People who are not accustomed to living on the water and on the high seas are often painfully aware of the slightest motion a boat or ship makes. Just look for the gray or green pallor on their faces and the expression that says, “Are we there yet?” And those… SEE MORE