Coastal Conversations 8/26/22: National Working Waterfront Network conference

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel

Coastal Conversations: Conversations with people who live, work, and play on the Maine coast, hosted by the University of Maine Sea Grant Program.

In mid-July 2022, nearly 200 people gathered in Boston for the sixth National Working Waterfront Network conference. Working waterfronts are where people who make their living on the sea can access the water. They include ports, harbors, piers, wharves, launch ramps, mudflats, boat yards and more. The National Working Waterfront Network meets every 2-3 years to swap stories and strategies for strengthening and protecting waterfront infrastructure and working access to the coast.

At the 2022 conference, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of Maine’s 1st Congressional District, long a working waterfront champion in partnership with Maine’s full delegation, gave a closing address during which she highlighted the importance of keeping the spotlight on these complex and critical spaces for our national economy and local, coastal culture. Voices throughout the event echoed the Congresswoman’s message, and on today’s Coastal Conversations show, we bring you some of those voices.

Today, we feature portions of Representative Pingree’s address, along with stories and perspectives from people connected to working waterfronts in Maine, Louisiana, Oregon and California. All voices shared in today’s show were recorded at the National Working Waterfront Network Conference 2022.

Guest/s:
Afton Vigue, Maine Aquaculture Association
Dominique Seibert, Louisiana Sea Grant
Jamie Doyle, Oregon Sea Grant
Michael Nelson, Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, California

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.