Originally published in the Harpswell Anchor Harpswell has over 200 miles of coastline. From the long stretch of Harpswell Neck to the wiggly ins and outs of Quahog Bay, there is great variety. Some of the coast drops steeply off into the waters of Casco Bay, while other parts have gradual, shallow, intertidal transitions from… Read more
Originally published in the Harpswell Anchor Harpswell is a vibrant coastal community that is full of waterfront activity, culture and history. There is an amazing breadth of expertise and knowledge in the community that is worthy of being shared. To that end, a group of local organizations have come together to present a series of… Read more
The history of Maine, including Harpswell, is tied to the sea. Indigenous people are known to have harvested the bounty of the ocean for thousands of years. Their population was quite small and their technology was limited, so they had little impact on the resource. When Europeans first arrived on these shores, they were astonished… Read more
By Monique Coombs, Director of Marine Programs for the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association It should come as no surprise to anyone that I would convey the importance of being outside and in nature with the life of a fisherman. Although, many people do not have the opportunity to work outside every day, or be on… Read more
By Monique Coombs, Director of Marine Programs, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association According to the Department of Marine Resources, “the Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) is the most important pelagic fishery resource in the state of Maine.” This is mostly because herring is a forage fish that not only feeds larger prey in the ocean but also… Read more
By Monique Coombs, Director of Marine Programs for the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association On November 28, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted to extend the moratorium on Northern Shrimp for a fifth year in a continued attempt to allow the stock to rebuild. After receiving a scientific update that showed declines in the health… Read more
By Togue Brawn Maine’s scallop season has experienced record prices this year. But are the scallops caught off our shore really any different than those from other areas? You bet they are, and here’s why. Roughly 95 percent of US sea scallops come from the Federal fishery, where large boats generally fish offshore for six… Read more
By Monique Coombs, Marine Resources Coordinator for the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association The Bluefin tuna fishery has long been a part of Harpswell’s heritage. The Casco Bay Tuna Club’s Bailey Island Fishing Tournament began in 1938. At almost 80 years old, it is the longest running fishing tournament on the East Coast (the first Bluefin… Read more
By Monique Coombs, Seafood Program Director for the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association So, you want the freshest most local fish you can get, right? Well right now, I highly recommend looking around for some halibut. (Try Gurnet Trading in Brunswick or Cantrell’s Seafood in Topsham.) Just a few years ago halibut quotas were very low, meaning that… Read more
By Monique Coombs, Seafood Program Director for the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association Have you considered that your actions on land have a direct impact on the health of the ocean around us? Everything that we do ashore, from driving our cars, to building our homes, to caring for our lawns, has an impact upon clean… Read more