Amy Hamilton Vailea Maine Department of Marine Resources West Boothbay Harbor, ME Some species of phytoplankton (microscopic marine algae) can be toxic to humans and wildlife. Excessive growth or “blooms” of these phytoplankton are often called “red tide.” In Maine, species of Alexandrium produce toxins that cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, and result in closures of […]
Read more
Cary Friedman Assistant Professor of Marine Science Maine Maritime Academy Castine, ME Persistent organic pollutants are pervasive throughout the world’s oceans, and they are present in the Penobscot River and Bay. One type of pollutant, a polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) used as flame retardant on a wide variety of products, can be toxic to people […]
Read more
Karen Wilson University of Southern Maine In the Penobscot River Estuary, the return of large numbers of river herring coincides with a legacy of mercury contamination from historic industrial activity. Sea Grant funded research has demonstrated that juvenile river herring are spending much longer in the estuary than previously thought (weeks to months) and consuming […]
Read more
Ian Bricknell School of Marine Sciences University of Maine The European green crab, Carcinus maenas, is an invasive species on the East Coast of the United States as well as many other regions around the world, and threatens important seafood species in Maine. There are no significant natural predators of green crabs on the coast […]
Read more
Meredith White Mook Sea Farm Email Mook Sea Farm Bacteria belonging to the genus Vibrio are found naturally in brackish and marine environments and represent the leading cause of human illness associated with eating raw seafood, including oysters. The recent warming trend in sea surface temperature of the North Atlantic is linked to the spread […]
Read more
David Fields Senior Research Scientist Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences East Boothbay, ME Temperature is the primary factor that determines survival and development in newly hatched crustaceans such as lobster. The ability of these early stages to develop in the face of increasingly warm ocean conditions will determine what species are able to maintain populations […]
Read more
Glen Melvin Waldoboro Shellfish Committee The Medomak River represents one of the most productive and valuable clam fisheries in Maine, yet many productive areas are closed due to pollution. Recognizing the need to understand and resolve persistent water quality issues, the Town of Waldoboro, Waldoboro Shellfish Committee, Waldoboro Utility District, and the Medomak Valley Land […]
Read more
Bob Twilley President, Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Seattle, WA The mission of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation is to advance understanding and stewardship of estuarine and coastal ecosystems worldwide through promoting research supporting education, and facilitating communication among scientists, government, and the public. The Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation is the only scientific […]
Read more
Daniel Ungier Executive Director Medomak Valley Land Trust With 2015 landings of $2.2 million, the Medomak River is one of the most valuable clam fisheries in the Maine. This fishery employs approximately 150 commercial clam diggers who depend on the availability of the clam resource, which is threatened by bacterial pollution delivered by stormwater discharge. […]
Read more
Hannah Webber Schoodic Institute Winter Harbor, ME Dan DenDanto EMC Blair Research Station Mount Desert Rock, ME The Northeastern Coastal Stations Alliance (NeCSA) is a newly formed network of ten small field stations spanning the Gulf of Maine. The Alliance seeks to support data collection and data sharing across the stations and enhance training opportunities […]
Read more