Summer is almost here, and NRCM “Engaging Maine Middle School Students in Protecting the Nature of Maine” Grant Awardees are presenting their final projects to NRCM members and staff. Check out this update from NRCM Communications Intern Britta Clark, who visited Bath Middle School and learned about their work with green crabs in Maine: This Read More
green crabs
Bath Middle School Students Report on Biodiversity and ‘Mitten Menaces’
Bath Middle School Students have used their NRCM grant to visit local state parks and examine some of the aquatic animals that live there, most especially green crabs. During their visits they have discovered a number of other creatures: check out these student reports on the Biodiversity of Reid State Park, as well as a Read More
Bath Middle School Student-Scientists Study Green Crab Populations
This semester, students at Bath Middle School have been working with the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust to study some green crab populations. In the fall, some surprising data was collected which noted that male and female crabs seem to group together to populate different areas, rather than being evenly distributed. Students have begun further study Read More
Warm Waters Off Maine Point to Repeat of “Ocean Heat Wave”
With the worst of the cooling season over, temperatures in the Gulf of Maine are just slightly below the period of disruption four years ago. By Colin Woodard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story With the United States coming off the warmest winter on record, scientists are monitoring the Gulf of Maine for a Read More
Invasive Species Exploit a Warming Gulf of Maine, Sometimes with Destructive Results
by Colin Woodard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Until two years ago, if you had walked down to the shore of Maquoit Bay at low tide, you would have seen a meadow of eelgrass stretching nearly as far as the eye could see across the exposed seafloor. Here near the head of the Read More
Maine Panel to Consider Response to Ocean Acidification
The commission formed by the Legislature will hold its first meeting Friday at UMaine’s Darling Marine Center in Walpole. By Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Leading scientists will brief Maine’s new ocean acidification commission on challenges facing the state’s coastal fisheries when the panel meets for the first time Friday at Read More
What Do Shellfish Have to Do with Power Plants?
By NRCM Executive Director Lisa Pohlmann Guest column in Maine Lobstermen’s Community Alliance newsletter, Landings Pulling traps, digging clams, and shucking oysters is a way of life along the coast of Maine. Working in the flats or on a lobster boat in one of our quiet bays may seem far away from the power plants Read More
LePage Orders Study of Invasive Green Crabs
By Matt Byrne, staff writer, Portland Press Herald news story Gov. Paul LePage on Friday ordered the creation of a 12-member task force to examine the effects of the invasive European green crab, which fishermen along the coast have said is decimating local shellfish populations. Although the species has been reported in Maine since 1904, Read More
Clam Diggers Can’t Weather Climate Change
Invasive green grabs are eating shellfish on which a $55 million industry depends. by Sara Randall Maine Sunday Telegram editorial FREEPORT — Clam diggers rely on a healthy marine environment in order to provide nourishing whole food to citizens and contribute to the economy. However, the ability of Maine’s diggers to continue their livelihood is Read More
