Coastal Conversations 9/25/20: Maine’s 19th Century Fisheries, a historical look in honor of the Bicentennial

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel

What was commercial fishing, and especially the salt cod fishery, like in the nineteenth century?
What is the field of historical marine ecology and what can it tell us about Maine’s fisheries past, both socially and ecologically?
What have you learned from the nineteenth century vessel log books, which captains filled out in order to claim their saltcod bounty payment?
What was happening specifically in the Frenchman Bay region’s historical fishery from this treasure trove of vessel log books and other data sources?
How does understanding past fisheries help us manage for present fisheries?

Guests: Karen Alexander and Bill Leavenworth, historical marine ecologists

About the host:
Natalie Springuel has hosted Coastal Conversation’s since 2015, with support from the University of Maine Sea Grant where she has served as a marine extension associate for 20 years. In 2019, Springuel received an award for Public Affairs programming from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for the Coastal Conversations show called “Portland’s Working Waterfront.” Springuel is passionate about translating science, sharing stories, and offering a platform for multiple voices to weigh in on complex coastal and ocean issues. She has recently enrolled in audio production training at Maine Media Workshop to dive deeper into making great community radio.