Coastal Conversations Radio Program: Voices from Maine and the Nation’s Working Waterfronts 2022

Coastal Conversations show: August 26, 2022
WERU 89.9 in Blue Hill and 99.9 in Bangor
Host: Natalie SpringuelMaine Sea Grant

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In mid-July 2022, nearly 200 people gathered in Boston for the sixth National Working Waterfront Network conference. Working waterfronts are where people who make their living on the sea can access the water. They include ports, harbors, piers, wharves, launch ramps, mudflats, boat yards and more. The National Working Waterfront Network meets every 2-3 years to swap stories and strategies for strengthening and protecting waterfront infrastructure and working access to the coast.

At the 2022 conference, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of Maine’s 1st Congressional District, long a working waterfront champion in partnership with Maine’s full delegation, gave a closing address during which she highlighted the importance of keeping the spotlight on these complex and critical spaces for our national economy and local, coastal culture. Voices throughout the event echoed the Congresswoman’s message, and on today’s Coastal Conversations show, we bring you some of those voices.

Today, we feature portions of Representative Pingree’s address, along with stories and perspectives from people connected to working waterfronts in Maine, Louisiana, Oregon and California. All voices shared in today’s show were recorded at the National Working Waterfront Network Conference 2022.

Make a note to tune in Friday August 26, 4-5 PM for today’s show “Voices from Maine and the Nation’s Working Waterfronts” on WERU community Radio at 89.9 FM and streaming online at WERU.org.

Special thanks to Olivia Jolley, Maine Sea Grant research and audio production assistant, for all the help with today’s show including conducting interviews, processing audio, and contributing to the show’s narrative. Also, thanks to staff at UMass Boston for providing the recording of Congresswoman Pingree’s address. Thanks also to the Congresswoman herself and our four interviewees today for permission to broadcast their voices on Coastal Conversations.

Guests

Afton Vigue, Maine Aquaculture Association
Dominique Seibert, Louisiana Sea Grant
Jamie Doyle, Oregon Sea Grant
Michael Nelson, volunteer for Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, California

For More Information

National Working Waterfront Network


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Listen to the show on WERU archives
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