Blog Entry

Maine’s Climate Future: The Animated Edition

We are excited to announce the release of what we hope will be the first in a series of animated videos about climate change in the Gulf of Maine, informed by our work on the Maine’s Climate Future project. Produced in partnership with Maine-based O’Chang Studios, “The Lobster Pot Heats Up” illustrates how climate change […]

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On Capturing Remarkable Stories in Downeast Maine

On the surface, there is nothing particularly unique about the interview process. One person asks questions; the other answers. It is an age-old way of collecting stories. But when you bring a recorder into the process, the dynamic changes. It can be subtle, a shift in emphasis, an awareness of the technology, perhaps even awkward […]

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The Values of the City

The City of Portland, Maine is a national leader in working waterfront planning and the City’s work has been featured by the National Working Waterfront Network. In a recent interview with Bill Needelman, the City’s Waterfront Coordinator, Bill discussed the evolution of the City’s planning efforts. He focused on the importance of beginning with the […]

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Signs of spring in chilly coastal waters

Wind and a cool drizzle did not deter a group of new volunteers as they ventured down to the end of the Harpswell peninsula near Basin Point last Monday to learn how to spot evidence of spring among the tide pools. The group included Lynn Knight, a trustee for the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, Sandra […]

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Salmon Delivery

April 30, 2015 | Green Lake National Fish Hatchery After an epic winter, spring has arrived in the Penobscot River Valley. Ice is out on the lower river and most of the tributaries, and the water temperature has reached a still-chilly 5 degrees Celsius. Fred Trasko and the rest of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife […]

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snow and open water on the Penobscot River at site of former dam

Ice-out on the Penobscot

This time of year, many eyes are on Maine’s rivers, lakes, and harbors, watching for the spring phenomenon known as ice-out. On rivers in particular, ice-out brings the risk of flooding. On Thursday, the National Weather Service Caribou Office issued a flood potential outlook statement. In central Maine, which includes the lower Penobscot River, and […]

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Maine oysters go wild – and stay wild.

Researchers (including Sea Grant extension associate Dana Morse) are studying isolated oyster grounds in the Sheepscot River that may date back to the last ice age. Meanwhile, as the aquaculture industry has grown and coastal water temperatures have warmed, cultured oysters have begun to multiply on their own elsewhere, particularly in the brackish waters of the […]

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What famous chefs do with Maine seafood

“There isn’t anything more special than Maine seafood,” said fisherman Kristan Porter, kicking off a culinary afternoon at the 2015 Maine Fishermen’s Forum. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Forum, seafood industry partners invited four established chefs to share their cooking knowledge of Maine seafood. “This is what its all about,” said Maine Aquaculture […]

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Black and white image of Robin Alden and unidentified man sitting at the Forum

40 Years of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum

by Catherine Schmitt Forty years ago,  fish harvested by Maine fishermen stayed local, only traveling perhaps as far as Boston or New York. The Gulf of Maine fishery was dominated by fleets of foreign fishing vessels, factories at sea that fished harder than anyone before. Even at Gorton’s in Gloucester, Massachusetts, 40% of the cod […]

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Maine Sea Grant just launched a new radio program!

by Catherine Schmitt Coastal Conversations is a monthly, one-hour public affairs program about coastal issues, on WERU Community Radio 89.9 in Blue Hill and 99.9 In Bangor. The first show aired on January 23, 2015 and the topic was Ocean Acidification. Listen to the podcast. Produced with support from Maine Sea Grant and hosted by […]

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