Coastal Conversations 10/9/15

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Maine coastal and ocean issues

Program Topic: Marine Debris and Microplastic Pollution in our Ocean

Key Discussion Points:

What is marine debris? Comparing marine debris such as trash bags, plastic bottles, fishing gear, and other visible marine debris, with microplastics, such as microbeads, plastic fibers and other microscopic pollution that ends up in our waters. How are they related and different?

What are the sources and consequences of marine debris and microplastic pollution?

How can people become involved in helping mitigate ocean pollution through their purchasing and lifestyle decisions, by becoming involved in coastal clean ups, and other ways.

Guests:
Brian Marcaurelle, Program Director, Maine Island Trail Association
Abby Barrows, Coastal Monitoring Coordinator, Marine & Environmental Research Institute and Principle Investigator, Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation Microplastic Project

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Coastal Conversations 9/25/15

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Maine coastal and ocean issues

Program Topic: Phenology and Citizen Science

Key Discussion Points:
How can phenology (the tracking of seasonal changes within plants and animals in our communities) help inform climate change research?
What are the impacts of global climate change on our backyard plant and animals?
What are some of the indicator species that volunteers are tracking and why?
How can Maine citizens become involved in phenology projects like Signs of the Seasons, the Loon Count, and others?

Guests:
Hannah Weber, Research and Education Projects Manager, Schoodic Institute
Abe Miller-Rushing, Science Coordinator, Acadia National Park
Esperanza Stancioff, Associate Extension Professor, UMaine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant
Susan Gallo, Wildlife Biologist, Maine Audubon

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Coastal Conversations 8/28/15

Producer/Host: Paul Anderson
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Maine coastal and ocean issues

Program Topic: The University of Maine’s Coastal Ocean Observing efforts

Key Discussion Points:
Status of buoy-based ocean observing systems in the gulf of Maine
Trends in oceanographic data in recent years
Why this information is important to fishermen and communities

Guests:
Dr. David Townsend, University of Maine
Dr. Neal Pettigrew, University of Maine
Dr. Robert Steneck, University of Maine (by phone)
Dr. Damian Brady, University of Maine

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Coastal Conversations 7/24/15

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Maine coastal and ocean issues

Program Topic: History, Culture, and Heritage of the Lobster Industry in Maine

Key Discussion Points:
History of the industry in Maine, including readings from “The Maine Lobster Industry: A History of Culture, Conservation and Commerce” by Cathy Billings
History of the industry on Cranberry Isles, the formation of the Co-op, and the current exhibit at Isleford
HIstorica Museum: “Boats and Buoys: Lobstering on Little Cranberry Island”
Poetry and writing about lobstering and the heritage of the industry

Guests:
Cathy Billings, author of “The Maine Lobster Industry: A History of Culture, Conservation and Commerce;” and Associate Director at the Lobster Institute
Retired Lobsterman from Isleford, Jim Bright
Rosamond Rea, project manager of the “Boats and Buoys: Lobstering on Little Cranberry Island” exhibit at Isleford Historical Museum

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Coastal Conversations 6/26/15

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineers: Amy Browne

Issue: Maine coastal and ocean issues

Program Topic: Coastal Beach Water Quality

Key Discussion Points:
-What is the Maine Helathy Beaches Program?
-How clean are Maine Beaches and what are towns like Lincolnville, Rockport, and York doing to keep them clean?
-What is the correlation between heavy rainfall and beach water quality?
-What can citizens do to help keep Maine beaches clean?

Guests:
Keri Kaczor, Maine Healthy Beaches Program coordinator, UMaine Coop. Extension/Maine Sea Grant
David Kinney, Lincolnville Town Administrator: 
Bob Kennedy, Rockport Conservation Commission
Steve Burns, York Town Manager

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Coastal Conversations 5/22/15

Guest host Catherine Schmitt
Studio Engineers: Amy Browne & Matt Murphy

Issue: Maine coastal and ocean issues

Program Topic: The Spring Running: Fish Migration in Penobscot River and Bay

Key Discussion Points:
Maine’s coastal rivers are home to several species of fish that are “sea run” or diadromous – they spend part of their lives in the ocean but return to freshwater to spawn. Many towns continue to gain income from the harvest of alewives and blueback herring, which are sold for lobster bait.
Maine’s coastal communities are working to restore habitat for migratory food fishes, taking such actions as replacing drainage infrastructure with fish-friendly culverts, installing fish ladders, and removing dams.

Guests:
Oliver Cox of the Maine Department of Marine Resources
Jeffrey Pierce of Alewife Harvesters of Maine
Tara Lake of NOAA Fisheries

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Coastal Conversations 4/24/15

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Maine coastal and ocean issues

Program Topic: Maine Fishermen’s Forum: A 40 year retrospective

Key Discussion Points:
a) What is the Maine Fishermen’s Forum and why has it been so important to the fishing industry of the past 40 years.
b) How has the fishing industry changed in 40 years
c) Recorded interviews from 2015 Forum attendees

Guests:
Jim Wilson, University of Maine School for Marine Sciences
Robin Alden, Penobscot East Resource Center

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Coastal Conversations 3/27/15

Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel
Studio Engineer: John Greenman

Issue: Maine coastal and ocean issues

Program Topic: Seal and Whale Strandings in Maine: Why they happen and why we respond

Key Discussion Points:
a) Why do marine mammals strand/beach themselves, which ones do, when is it a concern?
b) What are necropsies and other methods for responding to strandings of live and dead marine mammals?
c) What should the public do / not do when they encounter a stranded seal or whale in Maine?

Guests:
Sean Todd, Director, Allied Whale at College of the Atlantic
Rosie Seton, Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator, Allied Whale
Dr. Carissa Bielamowicz, Veterinarian, Harbor Road Veterinary in South Thomaston
Grace Shears, Marine Mammal Strandings Volunteer

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