Cusk Landings

Cusk Landings 1950-2016

After declining in the 1950’s and 1960’s, the landings of cusk by commercial fishermen rebounded, reaching a peak in 1985.  After another short decline, another peak appeared in 1993, followed by declining landings ever since. As the landings declined, the price per pound has increases, reaching more that $1.00 for the first time in 2008.…

Scallop Landings

Historical Scallop Landings 1950-2016

Scallop landing by commercial fishermen spiked in 1961 and in 1991, followed in each case by years of reduced landings. Total value was low from 1950 through 1970, regardless of the volume of meat obtained.  Since 1970 total value has generally followed the trend of the landings. Price per pound has remained above $5.00 since…

Total Value Fish Landings

Total Value of Commercial Fisheries Landings 1950-2007

The following indicates the total value of all landings from commercial fisheries  in Maine.  It includes shellfish as well as fin fish. Since about 1975, the rate of change in current dollars has increased, especially since 1990. YEAR TOTAL 1950 $13,781,792 1951 $14,757,348 1952 $17,034,440 1953 $16,036,300 1954 $16,187,634 1955 $15,323,204 1956 $16,397,465 1957 $16,008,084…

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…

Lobster Landings

Lobster Boats in Stonington Harbor (2003)

After almost forty years of basically flat lobster landings at about 20,000,000 pounds, the catch has trended upward since 1990.  While the value has increased consistently in current dollars, its rate of increased accelerated with higher catch figures. Landings vary by location: counties, towns, and specific ports. YEAR POUNDS POUNDS (millions) VALUE PRICE/LB 1950 18,352,600…

Crab Landings

Crab Landings 1950-2016

Included here are the folowing species: Cancer, Jonah, Rock, Spider, and others unspecified.  Since 1950 harvests in the range of one to three million pounds were the norm until a brief boom (2001-2007) changed things.  But recently the old range has returned, but will it last? YEAR POUNDS POUNDS (millions) VALUE PRICE/LB 1950 1,434,400 1.4…

Cod Landings

Atlantic Cod Historical Landings 1950-2016

The amount and value of cod landngs by commercial fishermen spiked in 1991 to over 21 million pounds and over $16 million in total value.  Since then landings have dropped as sharply as they had increased in 1989 and 1990. YEAR LIVE POUNDS POUNDS (millions) VALUE PRICE/LB 1950 6,613,000 6.6 $304,150 $0.05 1951 5,292,800 5.3…

Blue Mussel Harvests

Blue Mussels Historical Landings 1950-2016

Prior to the mid-1970’s, blue mussel harvests in commercial fishing were relatively low.  Since then harvests appear to follow cycles, with higher yields in the late 1980’s, the mid-1990’s and the mid-2000’s.  Higher total values followed a similar trend.  “Whole pounds” in the table below refers to mussels in the shell, as does “price/lb.”  Mussel…

Bloodworm Harvests

Bloodworm Landings (1964-2016)

In the decade from 1964 through 1974, harvests were relatively high and total value was low.  Since then harvests had been lower and prices moderate until 2001 when values doubled and remained high through 2011. Bloodworms, often used as fish bait in commercial fisheries, are one of several marine worms found in Maine.   YEAR…

Alewife Landings

Seagulls feasting on Alewives (2008)

Alewife landings crashed in 1981 and have yet to recover to any of the 1950-1980 levels.  While both the catch and value were depressed through 2000, more recent years have shown a rise in total value and price per pound. Latest data are preliminary. YEAR POUNDS POUNDS (millions) VALUE PRICE/LB 1950 3,165,600 3.1656 $28,294 $0.01…

Lakes, Sixty Largest

The largest lakes in Maine, those over ten acres in area, are defined as “great ponds.”  The following are details about the sixty largest. In the table below “drain” refers to the total drainage that leads water to the lake. “Major Drainage” refers to the river or stream contributing directly into the lake.  Secondary drainage…

Shakers

Shakers Cemetery Monument (2003)

by Leonard Brooks, Director, Shaker Museum and Shaker Library September 2, 2012 The story of the Shakers begins in the Manchester area of England in the 1740s. One of the early leaders of the Shaker church was Ann Lees or Mother Ann as she became called. Mother Ann was the Shaker leader who brought the…

Republican Party Platform 2012

Mission and Platform Our Mission Maine Republicans are united in our guiding principles. Our strength lies in knowing that Republican ideals will maintain our country as the strongest nation on Earth. Our tenets include respect for the U.S. constitution, personal responsibility and accountability, peace and prosperity through strength, and limiting federal and state government power…

Carrabassett Village

Rest Area off Route 27 in Carrabassett Valley near the Carrabassett River (2012)

Carrabasset village in the town of Carrabasset Valley is located along the river of the same name.  The village is east of Sugarloaf Mountain, about eight miles by road. It is served by Maine combined Routes 16/27 from Farmington (27) and Anson (16) and by a regional airport. Carrabasset Valley Academy is a private school,…

Stratton

Stratton is a village in the town of Eustis. It is the main village with a small commercial area and civic facilities, including the town office, fire department, library, and post office. The Oramendal Blanchard House, home to the local sawmill owner in the late 19th century, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Silver Ridge TWP

Logging Truck on 07-00-0, a dirt road in Silver Ridge off the 6000 Road (2014)

Silver Ridge was, once a plantation from 1878 to the 1950s, in Aroostook County, immediately south of Sherman and east of Benedicta Township. Its small and declining population was likely a major factor in surrendering its organization. It is now an unorganized township.  Township population counts are not usually separated from other nearby townships. Both…