By Eva Murray Matinicus Island, roughly 20 miles south-southeast of Rockland, has a population number that is hard to pin down. “How many people live on the island?” is a common question, but answering with a tongue-in-cheek, “Oh, 100, I guess — plus or minus 75,” is pretty accurate. On some mid-winter nights, an islander can count the neighbors on fingers and toes. Matinicus Island. Photos by E. Murray. Matinicus is a lobstering community, and as such, depends upon one industry. Unlike many...

By Chris Brehme, Lobster Institute Project Director The inaugural North American Lobster Science Symposium was held November 5th and 6th at the University of Maine’s Wells Conference Center in Orono. The conference showcased how rapidly changing oceans are reshaping lobster biology, fisheries, and coastal communities—and how collaborative research is stepping up to meet the moment. A new initiative of the Lobster Institute, the conference was co-hosted by Maine Sea Grant and the Canadian...

By Sarah Leiter, DMR Division of Marine Mammal Research The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Division of Marine Mammal Research Survey Program is designed to increase our understanding of when and where North Atlantic right whales occur in the Gulf of Maine by conducting monthly visual surveys from vessels and planes. A better understanding of right whale habitat use will improve the ability of federal regulators to assess entanglement risks. Maine’s data will be summarized and integrated...