BUCKSPORT — The Whole Oceans project to build a state-of-the-art recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility that will be used to raise Atlantic salmon has expanded to include an additional lot on the site of the former Verso paper mill in Bucksport. “This gives us more than 10 acres where our saltwater intake will be and …
ELLSWORTH — Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) to bolster safety training programs for commercial fishermen is ready to be signed into law by the President. Golden, elected in November to his second congressional term representing Maine’s Second District, co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Don Young, a Republican congressman from another big fishing …
ELLSWORTH — Like nearly every facet of life, the pandemic has affected the state aquaculture industry, the Maine Aquaculture Advisory Council made clear in a virtual meeting on Dec. 7. Aquaculture lease applications are backlogged because hearings stopped, which is “a huge concern for the aquaculture industry,” Council member Briana Warner said. In addition, 2021 …
GOULDSBORO — An organic seaweed farmer is seeking to raise oysters and sea urchins in deep water at an existing ocean site, where the marine species’ growth will be tracked to test their potential as sustainably harvested seafood in years to come. Last year, Springtide Seaweed LLC founder Sarah Redmond secured a 10-year aquaculture lease …
GOULDSBORO — Maine’s Downeast scallop fleet was out in force Monday with dozens of boats dragging across the state’s Fishery Management Zone 2 from Bass Harbor to Jonesport. The scallop fishermen included (above) Roy Whalen Jr. in the Hannah Marie (shown with deckhands Bob Smith and Chris Weaver) and Roy Whalen III (right) in the Slow …
ELLSWORTH — The Downeast chapter of Trout Unlimited will be holding a virtual meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 16. A business meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by two speakers. Speaking at 6 p.m. will be Scott Craig, a life member of Trout Unlimited and the National Fish Habitat Action Plan coordinator in …
ELLSWORTH — For the local lobster fishery, there is now and there is the future. When it comes to availability of their catch, the “now” looks solid for local commercial lobster fishermen, based on findings reported in the 2020 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment. The assessment reported the stock at “record …
GOULDSBORO — A former clam-buying station is poised to get a facelift and start operating as a shellfish laboratory next spring in Bunkers Harbor. The facility, which will raise and scatter baby soft-shell clams to replenish local flats, will serve as a trial balloon for other coastal communities. On Bunkers Harbor’s eastern shore, longtime lobster …
ELLSWORTH — The herring fishery will see landing days for Season 2 of 2020 expanded from 2019, under an emergency ruling issued by the Department of Marine Resources on Nov. 3. An emergency ruling in 2019 severely curtailed the number of landing days to prevent the depletion of the supply of Atlantic herring “and to …
BUCKSPORT — The former mill town, home to an aquaculture facility in development, is channeling itself as a cruise port as well with plans to expand the capacity of the harbor. “The interest in our waterway especially since the closing of the Verso paper mill has only increased especially this year during the pandemic,” said …
ELLSWORTH — Grant funds continue to flow into the Maine commercial lobster fishery on the heels of $2 million research grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sea Grant American Lobster Initiative announced in September. NOAA is also behind these awards directed at monitoring the fishery: A grant of $250,000 to further test and …
ELLSWORTH — Do you have thoughts or questions about a pending aquaculture lease application? Curious about how to engage in the lease hearing process? Three upcoming sessions will offer tips on how to participate. Maine Sea Grant and the state Department of Marine Resources are offering learning sessions for members of the public. Examples of …
