Two years shy of her 100th birthday, Emily Muir has her own exhibit at the Farnsworth Art Museum. She was unable to attend the April 21 opening, but two days later she traveled to Rockland from her home in Stonington to view the show. Modest and self-effacing, Emily’s spirit is readily felt with her marvelous
Selective Gear
Nets that will keep targeted species and allow others to escape have long been the goal of fishermen and researchers trying to solve the thorny and wasteful problem of bycatch. But now the pressure is even greater, as New England fishermen desperately try to survive crushing regulations. Selective gear may not be a “silver bullet”
New England’s groundfishery: Five views of the changed rules
On May 1, 2002, New England commercial groundfishermen began operating under a last minute ruling by a federal judge establishing a new and more restrictive management plan for the fishery. Judge Gladys Kessler’s ruling came after a coalition of five environmental groups won a federal suit charging the government of with failing to implement mandates
Architect visits Islesboro school
On April 22, Islesboro students welcomed environmental architect Brian Kent and his wife, Janet, to the island to learn about environmentally responsible design. The Kents arrived at the school for their three-day residency in their Honda hybrid electric/gas automobile, explaining to students that they’ve been living for the past 24 years in what they described
Deer, islands and people
In a simpler time, wildlife managers kept deer herds at stable levels by issuing hunting licenses to hunters, who eagerly did their part in thinning the herd to a size that biologists considered optimal. Hunting remains the primary management tool used to control the size of the herd, but keeping island deer herds in check
A coastal community confronts an “absurd” housing situation
Ed Myers of Walpole says four fishermen and owners of two oyster companies use his dock for access to the Damariscotta River, but not one of these people lives in the town of Bristol, which covers the peninsula where Myers is located. Instead, they travel from Nobleboro, Newcastle, Waldoboro and Jefferson to earn their livelihood.
Municipal fish piers face tougher times
Along the Maine waterfront there are a number of municipally owned docking, berthing, unloading and service facilities dedicated to the commercial fishing industry. In these times of declining fish stocks, ever-changing regulations, and rising pressures for recreational and non-marine uses of waterfront property, some of these fish piers have been facing uneasy and threatened futures.
“Work that matters” MLA’s new executive director brings a broad perspective to her job
“She’s a good leader, a real asset to the industry; we’re awful lucky to have her,” says Pat White of Patrice Farrey, who last November became executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. Farrey took over the job after working for two years as associate director. White had served as executive director for the past
Maine Cat on the move
The cats in Muscongus Bay are bigger and faster these days, and may soon move to Rockland or Thomaston. These aren’t felines. These are catamarans, built by Maine Cat in sizes up to 38 feet long. Dick and Lynn Vermeulen started the business in their Jefferson garage, building 22 foot fiberglass catamarans, in 1993. A
Small-boat fishermen fear for their future
Some small-boat fishermen believe the current stringent regulations are not just designed to save the fish, but to get rid of the fishermen. Unless the federal judge who imposed the new rules can be convinced to change them or Congressional pleas to the federal government succeed in softening the restrictions, a new groundfishing plan that