BANGOR – Richard Max Strahan, a New Hampshire-based whale protection activist with a history of filing federal lawsuits aimed at protecting endangered right whales against the New England fishing industry, has threatened to sue the Maine Lobstering Union, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association and their individual members for damages under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt …
MOUNT DESERT — Since mid-May, alewives, also called river herring, have been working to reach Long Pond, a mile and a half swim from Somes Sound, to mate. On May 19, the first 20 alewives of the season were counted on their spring spawning migration from saltwater to freshwater as they navigated the Somesville Mill Pond fish ladder. “We …
Washington, D.C. — Maine lobster harvesters gained a new export market in the last few weeks as U.S. and Brazilian officials came to an agreement after several years of negotiations. “Both sides have agreed to final technical language to certify sanitary standards for American lobster exports to Brazil,” according to a report from the U.S. Dept. …
AUGUSTA — The Maine Coastal Program intends to allocate approximately $120,000 in Shore and Harbor Planning grants this year. Individual grants may not exceed $30,000. The grant program is intended to support sound waterfront planning and harbor management, balanced development of shore and harbor areas, planning for waterfront infrastructure improvements, planning for climate resiliency and access to the shore. Funds …
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — A couple of years ago, Shane Ellis launched a new arm of his family boat company, offering a few of the Ellis motoryachts for bareboat charters. Like hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rentals, he had a busy season already booked when state officials announced the requirement that anyone coming from out of state would be required to quarantine for …
BROOKLIN – It’s no secret that the coronavirus—besides killing some 100,000 victims in the United States so far—will touch almost every element of summer including many of Maine’s iconic maritime activities. In Brooklin, the WoodenBoat School, for the first time since its founding in 1981, will not open for the summer. According to a statement from …
SOUTHWEST HARBOR — While the coming Memorial Day weekend will look different in some ways than it does other years, such as no big parades or gatherings, local boatyards are as busy as ever. Service yards store boats for customers for the winter and use the time to perform maintenance including painting, waxing, varnish, oil changes …
BAR HARBOR—A harbor seal spotted at Indian Point Blagden Preserve on May 6 was seen again on Mother’s Day, rescued the following day and has been brought to Massachusetts to recover. Employees of the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay, Mass., have named the male harbor seal Ned. Updates on his condition can be …
CASTINE — Maine Maritime Academy announced Friday that its summer training cruises will be canceled. “After examining possible options and alternatives due to the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as available support for traditional summer cruising season aboard the training ship State of Maine and the schooner Bowdoin, we have determined that we just …
ELLSWORTH – The conservation groups that filed a federal law suit two years ago to force the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to do more to protect endangered right whales from entanglement with fishing gear have asked U.S. District Court Judge James E. Boasberg to ban lobster fishing gear with vertical buoy lines off the …
