Facing the back left side of the boat, two divers are putting on gear for a dive. Extra gear is laid out behind them on a covered rubber hot tub for easy access. A dive flag on the left back corner of the boat is moving in the wind. The safety diver wearing an orange raincoat is next to the flag in front of the divers. Water surrounding the boat is Frenchman Bay and an island coastline.
Photo: Kristin Zunino

Coastal Conversation Radio Program: Dive into Maine’s Changing Marine Ecology, Downeast

September 26, 2025 Blog Entry

Coastal Conversations show: September 26, 2025
WERU 89.9 in Blue Hill and 99.9 in Bangor

Production Assistant

Kristin Zunino, Graduate at College of the Atlantic 2025

This episode

Dive down and explore Maine’s changing marine ecology along the Downeast coast with local professional scuba divers. This is Kristin Zunino; graduate of College of the Atlantic, a PADI Divemaster, and production assistant of this episode of Coastal Conversations. In this two part series, we will hear stories, observations, and hopes for future marine ecosystems. Joining us are our guests: Campbell Scott, founder of OceansWide; Edward Monat or Diver Ed, founder of the Dive-in Theater; Edna Martin, Captain of the Dive-in Theater; Ed Leighter, recreational diver in Eastport and Mount Desert island; Mike Staggs, member of a local dive club on Mount Desert Island; and Richard Wahle, retired lobster scientist at the University of Maine. Together they have a total of 222 years of diving experience in Maine! They dive into how climate change, fisheries, and natural cycles impact marine ecosystems in the Downeast region. Tune in on Friday September 26 at 4PM for this month’s episode of Coastal Conversations. Only on WERU community radio, 89.9 PM in Blue Hill and online at WERU.org.

Coastal Conversations is supported by Maine Sea Grant in partnership with Schoodic Institute and The First Coast.

Guests

Campbell Scott, founder of OceansWide
Edward ‘Diver Ed’ Monat, founder of the Dive-in Theater
Edna Martin, Captain of the Dive-in Theater
Ed Leighter, recreational diver in Eastport and Mount Desert Island
Mike Staggs, member of a local dive club on Mount Desert Island
Richard Wahle, retired UMaine lobster scientist

Acknowledgements

Thank you Galen Koch, Zach Soares and Natalie Springuel for editing and production assistance. Thank you Sean Todd for production assistance and support during the interview period.