The final two months of 2004 saw fish processing plant closings in Atlantic Canada, ranging from Grand Manan in New Brunswick to Harbour Breton and Fortune in Newfoundland. On Grand Manan, Connors Bros. announced in December the closing of its sardine plant, putting 162 people out of work, according to plant manager Dave Green. In
Island air service gets a new lease on life
As of mid January, there’s a brand-new airline out at Knox County Airport flying the mail to the islands. With a six-month, emergency contract with U.S. Postal Service in one hand, the business of Federal Express in the other and fingers crossed for a pending application to UPS, Kevin Waters now operates a fledgling airline
Lobster Literacy Conference: No, we didn’t teach lobsters how to read!
All students need to feel a sense of ownership and identify with what they are learning. More and more teachers are realizing that creating curriculum associated with where students live and what’s familiar to them is a wonderful way to empower them. The Lobster Literacy Conference, which took place on Dec. 3-4 at the Island
New Brunswick-PEI dispute over herring continues
A territorial dispute between inshore fishermen from Prince Edward Island and herring seiners from New Brunswick has continued from last season to this. And a compromise introduced this season by Canadian Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff Regan has satisfied no one. P.E.I. fishermen maintain that the seiners are being allowed to fish too close to
Islesboro welcomes visiting teacher
Ngubo Ndaba arrived at Islesboro Central School on Jan. 5, one of the chilliest days of winter, to undertake a year-long teaching assignment replacing math teacher Tom Tutor who is taking over Ndaba’s classes in South Africa (WWF Dec-Jan 04-05). He was welcomed to the school by principal Michael Wright and superintendent Don Kanicki in
Merrill Marine sells its Portland terminal
Sprague Energy Corporation will purchase Merrill Marine Terminal Services, Inc., on Portland’s waterfront. Located on the Fore River inside the Casco Bay Bridge, Merrill Marine Terminal has been a vital part of the working waterfront for 25 years. P.D. (Paul) Merrill, president, said that he had been in conversation with Sprague over the years, but
Shipboard wedding
An active month of December passed quickly in the Cranberry Isles. The annual Christmas Fair, sponsored by the Great Cranberry Island Ladies Aid Society, raised a total of $2,200 through sales of crafts, baked goods, raffles and a delicious luncheon. On Islesford, family and friends either pledged to bake or purchased from the first-ever Islesford
Fox Islands, Bowdoin students team up
As winter winds roared, middle and high school students from both North Haven and Vinalhaven communities were anything but cold as they worked up a sweat showing their skills on the basketball court. The Bowdoin men’s and women’s basketball teams have visited the Fox Islands on two occasions during the past couple of months. The
Midcoast rowing competition continues to grow
In November, the Vinalhaven Vikings did their state proud as they placed first in the North East Regional Open-Water Youth Rowing Championship in Hull, Mass. Commonly known as the Icebreaker, this event is the biggest high school rowing competition in the east — perhaps in the country — attracting more than 20 teams from all
St. George GIS project supports working waterfront
Traditionally, Maine coastal communities have relied heavily on marine-related industries supported from their working waterfronts. But working waterfronts are increasingly in danger of disappearing, as pressures from outside developers increase. Coastal communities are now searching for ways to manage this pressure so that marine-related industries can continue to thrive. Towns recognize the need for action,