William Morrow, 2003 272 pages The first novel by Portland author John B. Robinson, The Sapphire Sea, is a cinematic adventure story that takes readers on a breathless ride through the exotic, dangerous and little-known worlds of Madagascar and the gem trade. From the first page, when a bright blue flash leads young expatriate gem
Tracking Cod
Over 48,000 codfish are currently swimming around the Gulf of Maine with sporty yellow two-inch plastic tags in their backs, thanks to a collaborative study investigating cod movement and migration. The Northeast Regional Cod Tagging Program has completed the first year of its two-year study, and is hoping for a similarly successful second year. “We
Access: The Fish May Come Back, But the Fishermen May Not
The projected improvement in finfish landings over the coming years is predicted to bring hundreds of millions of dollars to the fishing ports involved, not only for the fishing boats themselves but also for the shoreside processors, freezer facilities, vessel support businesses, and fish dealers. But many historical participants, particularly fishermen based in Maine, could
Canadian Fisheries Agency to Cut Back
Whatever direction the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans takes under new Minister Geoff Regan, it will be with 600 fewer job slots. In a January memo to staff members, DFO Deputy Minister Larry Murray said, “As you know, we have been looking at ways to improve the efficiency of our operations; make funds available
This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in Greenland
Vintage Books, 2003 The biggest island on earth is 95 per cent ice, has an average temperature of -25 degrees Fahrenheit, and is in total darkness three months of the year. Greenland, known in Inuit as Kalaalit Nunaat, or White Earth, lured writer Gretel Ehrlich over seven years, weaving its icebound spell upon her. Seeking
“The Burgundy of Oysters”: In the Private-Label Oyster World, the Language Says it All
On a typical evening in Manhattan, deep in the heart of the trendy East Village, the foodies at Jack’s Luxury Oyster Bar are gobbling up Maine oysters and calling them downright “creamy.” “Have you noticed the seaweed finish on this Pemaquid?” you might overhear someone saying in a phrase worthy of a wine connoisseur. In
“Zero Tolerance” Rule: A Lapsed License is a Lost License
When the 1966 Federal Sustainable Fisheries Act identified Maine’s lobster stock as over-fished, the state was obliged to takes steps to rebuild stocks. Discussions among various concerned organizations produced two initiatives. The first (in 1997) divided the coast into zones and limit entry into the fishery by zone. The second (in place by 1999) was
Yacht Designer Turns to Marine Art But Keeps Day Job
Chuck Paine’s name is synonymous with classic yacht design. Now there is another association, that of artist. In T-shirt and jeans, with longish hair, Payne seems to fill the artist’s role with ease. But after five years – since wife Debbie gave him a set of paints – painting has remained a sideline to his
Deer Control Debated on Islands
The numbers are in from the winter’s deer hunts in Casco Bay. Twenty deer were taken from Peaks Island, 25 from Cliff Island, and approximately 50 from Long Island. Growing whitetail deer populations are of particular concern for the bay’s islands, where milder winters and an absence of natural predators provide favorable conditions. When deer
Razor Clams Are a New Specialty for Irish Fishmongers
Among the small, slick piles of fresh fish was what looked like a stack of Cuban cigars bound by a thick rubber band and standing on end in a bed of crushed ice. The stack loomed conspicuously over an assortment of brooding Irish bivalves including mussels, scallops and clean, white clams. The stack was a