Coastal Conversations 9/28/18

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Maine clams: what is causing their decline and how do we bring them back?

Why are clams declining? Rising sea temperatures, green crabs, milky ribbon worms.
What does the research show us? Over 99% of settled clams are being eaten (mostly by green crabs) before they reach 1 years old
What can we do about the decline? Options for changing management.

Guests:
Dr. Brian Beal — Professor of Marine Ecology at the University of Maine at Machias and Director of Research at the Downeast Institute.
Sara Randall — Associate Director of the Downeast Institute
Chad Coffin– Professional Clammer and President of the Maine Clammers Association

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Coastal Conversations 8/24/18

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Maine coastal and ocean issues: Hancock County’s Conserved Lands

-What are some important conservation projects in the region right now?
-How does a land trust work? What is a conservation easement?
-How do conservation areas benefit the local community?
-What is a working forest, and working farm?

Guests:
Aaron Dority, Executive Director, Frenchman Bay Conservancy
Hans Carlson, Executive Director of Blue Hill Heritage Trust
Bob DeForrest, Project Manager Maine Coast Heritage Trust

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Coastal Conversations 7/27/18

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel

Maine coastal and ocean issues: Voices of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum Part 2

Hosted by fishermen for fishermen, the annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum is THE place to learn about current issues facing the fishing industry and the coast of Maine. At the 2018 Forum this past Winter, Maine Sea Grant, The First Coast and College of the Atlantic recorded dozens of stories for the “Voices of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum” collection. WERU aired some of these stories on Coastal Conversations back in March, but we are ready for more!

Guests: Today’s five Voices of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum include an elver fishermen, a herring purse seiner, and schooner captain, a fisheries advocate, and a fishermen’s wife.

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Coastal Conversations 6/22/18

Producer/Host: Catherine Schmitt
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Coastal communities and environments: Maine bird populations

Key Discussion Points:
a) status of Maine bird populations and Bird Atlas initiative
b) conservation of birds and bird habitat
c) citizen science opportunities

Guests:
Doug Hitchcox, Maine Audubon
Chris Bartlett, Maine Sea Grant
Jeff Wells, Boreal Songbird Initiative

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Coastal Conversations 5/25/18

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Coastal and ocean issues: Co-managing MAINE’S soft shell clams

Key Discussion Points:
a) how does clam management work
b) what are the threats to the clam population (predation, water quality etc)
c) local efforts at conservation of clam flats

Guests:
Michael Pinkham, Gouldsboro and Steuben shellfish warden
Ronnie Parrott, Clammer from Steuben and Gouldsboro
Bridie McGreavy, UMaine and MAINE shellfish advisory committee
Jessica Joyce, Cumberland Shellfish Conservation Committee

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Coastal Conversations 5/25/18

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Coastal and ocean issues: Co-managing MAINE’S soft shell clams

Key Discussion Points:
a) how does clam management work
b) what are the threats to the clam population (predation, water quality etc)
c) local efforts at conservation of clam flats

Guests:
Michael Pinkham, Gouldsboro and Steuben shellfish warden
Ronnie Parrott, slammer from Steuben and Gouldsboro
Bridie McGreavy, UMaine and MAINE shellfish advisory committee

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Coastal Conversations 4/27/18

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Sears Island: Past, Present, and Future

What is the history of Sears Island, starting from the Wabanaki, into the colonial era and intop the recent past?
Sears Island’s history of multiple industrial development proposals and its eventual conservation.
What is Friends of Sears Island, the legal management entity, doing to engage the public on the island?

Guests
Susan White, President, Friends of Sears Island
Rolf Olsen, VP, Friends of Sears Island
Stephen Miller, Isleboro Islands Trust
Ashly Megquire, Outreach coordinator, Friends of Sears Island

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Coastal Conversations 3/23/18

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Coastal and Ocean Issues: Voices of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum and The First Coast

Key Discussion Points:
a) Storytelling and clips from audio interviews collected at the 2018 Maine Fishermen’s Forum
b)Fishermen, law-makers, and students talk about changes they are seeing on the coast and concerns for the future.
c) One central theme of these interviews was the importance of passing on fisheries knowledge tothe next generation.
d) The First Coast, a project focused on capturing stories of the Maine coast, is on the road now and collecting stories.

Guests:
Galen Koch, The First Coast

Interviews recorded at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum 2018, and aired on todays show: Bob Williams, Dan Harriman, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Senator Angus King, Tyler Childers and Anson Kelley.

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