Articles
Canadian and U.S. fisheries pursue seafood certification
That same map shows just two U.S. fisheries actively committed to certification: the Atlantic deep red sea crab and Maine lobster fisheries. MSC has been on the lips of many in Maine’s fisheries and environmental communities. MSC certification of Maine lobster still is a contentious issue, but there’s concern among some U.S. fishery stakeholders that
Lobster industry turns to foreign workers
“Good people have full-time jobs,” Reynolds said. So six years ago, he began looking abroad for some of his workforce. He worked with an international hiring agency to recruit foreign students who held J-1 visas to work during school vacation months. This year, he employed six Serbs. Reynolds said it’s been an ideal solution. The
Portland waterfront owners enlisted to keep homeless safe
The man squinted into his cap and slowly counted the change inside. Then he picked up his bag and bed roll and made his way somewhere. While Portland’s waterfront has developed into a tourist destination, it is still filled with nooks and crannies where the homeless can gather away from the crowds. But these meeting
Proposed aquaculture project under dispute
Most public hearings can cure insomnia, but the proceedings surrounding a proposed oyster farm near Trenton are keeping people up at night. The hearings for a lease on a proposed 50-acre Goose Cove oyster farm have lasted three nights, with proceedings going into the early morning two of those nights. And the Maine Department of
Kennebunk’s sea shanty man
Then up steps Rich Gaito with what appear to be a miniature guitar and accordion. (The guitar, yes, but the other instrument is a concertina, a predecessor to the accordion.) After a brief introduction, he begins to play sea shanties, tunes that sailors have sung for centuries. The first song is catchy: a tale of
Passamaquoddy fishermen seek federal fishing rights
Two Eagles, a Passamaquoddy fishing company based in Pleasant Point has been operating a fishing fleet of some 20 boats in federal waters in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Banks, said Kani Malsom, one of the company’s owners. Two Eagles fishermen carry only permits issued by the tribal council. While Passamaquoddy fishermen are allowed
Leucadia draws praise and criticism in Midcoast
The Leucadia Corporation, a New York City and Utah-based investment company with an active real estate branch, has been a major player in large development deals in Islesboro and Rockport. Its Midcoast dealings have won praise from some and drawn ire from others. On Islesboro, a Leucadia subsidiary’s proposed subdivision has meant years of controversy,
Luck, innovation keeps some Washington County schools thriving
Washington County officials can be forgiven for being nervous over the future of their schools. The population of school-age children continues to decline, resulting in the inevitable debate over the economic feasibility of keeping schools open. Recently, Lubec residents voted to shudder the town’s high school. Last year, it was Columbia Falls’ elementary school that
Lubec plans for future without high school
Peering through the windows into the Lubec High School, everything appears normal. The classrooms are tidy, with desks lined up in perfect rows. Teaching texts are stacked on shelves. The school seems poised for the students to return in the fall. But in June, Lubec residents voted 269 to 230 to shutter the high school.
St. Croix Alewife plan angers many
A proposal released in June to restore alewife habitat slowly in the St. Croix River has drawn criticism from all sides. Under the plan put forth by the St. Croix board of the International Joint Commission, alewife blockades would be removed at two new locations along the river, specifically chosen to avoid impacting West Grand