Protecting Working Waterfronts
It's hard to imagine a place like Maine without its working waterfronts. They're not only an iconic part of our state's history and landscape, but an irreplaceable resource for 30,000 thousand Mainers who make their living from marine-related industries.
But as valuable as they are to our communities, they make up only 20 miles of our 3,300-mile coastline. That makes them extremely vulnerable, since a development here or a few condos there can swallow a large percentage of what working land remains. Other emerging threats include climate change and ocean acidification.
We need tools to protect these valuable spots and ensure that Mainers can continue to make their living from the sea.
- OFFER YOUR FEEDBACK on ways to strengthen Maine's working waterfronts.
- SIGN UP HERE to receive email updates about working waterfronts and related issues.
More on Protecting Working Waterfronts
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree sent a letter urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move forward and fund critical dredging projects for York Harbor and the Saco River.
A bill introduced by Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin to ease federal inspection of several species of seafood, including urchins exported from Maine, passed the U.S. House today.
Tells Secretary of State, U.S. Trade Representative and head of NOAA that import ban isn't warranted
Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin introduced a bill today that will make it easier for seafood dealers to export urchins outside of the United States. Recently, federal officials started requiring inspections of urchins entering and leaving the United States. Currently processors buy urchins harvested in Maine and Canada and process them here in Maine. Urchins from Canada are inspected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when coming into the state. After they are processed, all urchins— regardless of where they were caught—are again inspected before being exported.
A special commission set up by the Maine Legislature has released a report on the threat of ocean acidification in Maine waters, and, like a bill introduced by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree last spring, called for research and study into the problem.
Federal designation would lead to investment, protection of local environment