As interest in recreational opportunities on Maine's public and private islands continues to grow, recreation management will increasingly depend on science-based information about the relationship between island use and island conditions. Natalie coordinates the new multi-organization island monitoring task force, whose goal is to develop science-based island monitoring methods that will help managers and island owners achieve their island management objectives.
In recent years, sea kayaking has been growing in popularity throughout North America and especially in Maine. Sea kayakers are regularly observed along our coastal shores; and sea kayak guides and outfitters are becoming a significant part of the working waterfront, with commercial operations spanning from Kittery to Calais. With such popularity, the potential for kayak collisions with larger vessels increases dramatically.
The Gulf of Maine Expedition Institute is a sea kayak-based educational program seeking to document the Gulf of Maine through on-the-water and classroom-based experiences for learners of all ages.
During the past year, Maine Sea Grant has partnered with the Quebec Labrador Foundation to convene the 24-member Marine Area Characterization Working Group. The group, consisting of university and college research scientists, state agency personnel, and non-profit organization staff, will meet over the course of one year to develop a body of recommendations on the components and methods for conducting marine inventories.
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Thank you for joining us at Coastal Access in Southern Maine. One goal of the forum is to provide resources and tools to help participants take action in addressing local coastal access issues. Below you will find downloadable files that summarize the content and discussion of the forum.
The upweller is an important piece of equipment for the nursery culture of several species of shellfish, such as the Eastern oyster and the hard shell clam. Upwellers powered by tidal action are used in regions where tidal flow can be captured effectively. In general, tidal upwellers have been designed based on trial and error, and built with materials the culturist has on hand.