Archives for Lobster

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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WERU Special 8/25/14

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Studio Engineer: Joel Mann

The US Army Corps of Engineers and Maine DOT are proposing a dredging project in Searsport Harbor that would result in nearly a million cubic yards of materials being dumped in Penobscot Bay near Islesboro. The project would deepen and widen the shipping channel. Supporters say that would improve commerce in the port, but opponents say the economic and environmental risks far outweigh any potential benefits.

Joining me in the studio today are Joel Pitcher of the Maine Lobstering Union, and attorney Kim Tucker. She represents the Maine Lobstering Union, Pemaquid Muscle Farm, and the Sierra Club of Maine as well as some individual members of the Zone D lobster council. The program also features excerpts from an interview with Dr. Kevin Yeager- an independent scientist who previously worked on the Holtrachem/Mallinkrodt mercury case in the federal court system. He is the author of a new report that raises serious concerns about the plan– among them the possibility that inert mercury in the sediment may be converted to a more toxic form and make its way into the food chain in Penobscot Bay. He also criticizes the methology the Army Corps used in their sediment sampling.

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Talk of the Towns 8/24/12

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Engineer: Amy Browne
Issue: Community concerns and opportunities
Program Topic: Lobster and the Business of Lobstering
Key Discussion Points:
a) What is the “usual” market for lobster in Maine… what paths do Maine-caught lobster follow from the lobster boat to the plate?
b)What is the “usual” season for lobsters… what is the difference between hard-shell and soft-shell or shedders? What happened differently this year, to both the lobsters and to the market
c)A recent interview on Maine Public Broadcasting by Jennifer Mitchell with Patrice MaCarron, of the Maine Lobsterman’s Association, talked about a three-pronged approach to improving the business model for lobsters: developing more processing capacity in Maine, developing new products that consumers respond to, and building overall demand for both fresh and processed lobster through improved marketing.
d)What are your thoughts on this approach? What is missing?
e) Specifically For Walter Kumiega: What are your constituents telling you about their experience this summer? What are the policy implications, and where would you like to see further discussion leading to solutions?
f)What other lessons should we be mindful of from this summer and recent years?
g)What about diversification for individual fishermen… so all their “eggs” aren’t in the lobster basket? Support through TAA for business planning?
h)Your hopes and what you want to work on for the future?

Guests by name and affiliation:
A) Cathy Billings, Lobster Institute, University of Maine
B)Shelia Dasset, Downeast Lobsterman’s Association
C)Rep. Walter Kumiega, Marine Resources Committee

Call In Program: Yes

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