T1 R8 WELS

Mount Katahdin and Millinocket Lake from its southwest shore (2018)

  This township, in Penobscot County, is about eight miles northwest of the town of Millinocket on the Millinocket Lake Road. The long south shore of the Lake is its primary recreational asset. The short Black Cat road skirts the 860-foot Black Mountain toward several outdoor adventure organizations. While their base is here, they transport…

Casco Bay and Climate Change

Portland Sea Level Trend 1912-2015

Climate Trends In 2017 the University of Southern Maine, through USM Digital Commons, published “Casco Bay Climate Change Vulnerability Report.” It has been accessible at http://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=cbep-publications (accessed February 20, 2018). The following is a selection of its findings and conclusions. Temperature The Casco Bay region has experienced warmer summers; warmer winters; warmer waters; increased drought;…

Parlin Pond Township

Parlin Pond (2004)

The township is just south of Jackman on U.S. Route 201. It is the only improved road, except for about two miles of Hardscrabble Road on its town line with Johnson Mountain Township to the south. Parlin Pond, the water body, is a two-mile long pond along U.S. Route 201 in the southern portion of…

Shrimp Landings

Shrimp Landings 1962-2013

Despite an increasing tonnage of  shrimp landings by commercial fishermen in recent years, the 2013 season will  feature a landing quota equal to about 25% of the 2012 season’s landings.  Historically the shrimp populations have varied substantially. Marine scientists believe that the resource is again under pressure with the threat of another population  decline.  …

Clam Harvests

Digging clams on the flats (2004)

While softshell clam landings by commercial fishermen are down from their peaks in the 1970’s and early 1980’s, the total value and price per pound have increased dramatically.  Some of the limits on clam harvests are a result of periodic closures of clam flats by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Public health and water…

Fisheries, Commercial

Fishing Vessel, Cundy

In 1950, Maine had record seafood landings of 356,266,000 pounds without aquaculture. Maine ranked among the top seafood producing States. In 2009, the last year available for national seafood landings, Maine ranked 11th in pounds landed and 3rd in value. The preliminary 2010 landings were 251,299,375 pounds including aquaculture valued ex-vessel at $450,664,717, an average…