Save the Bay’ flotilla demonstrates against fish farm
BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — More than 125 boats participated in a weekend protest against plans for an aquaculture operation in waters near Acadia National Park. The parade of commercial and recreational vessels comprised the “Save the Bay” flotilla that motored around Frenchman Bay on Sunday. American Aquafarms has proposed raising 66 million pounds of Atlantic salmon annually at a pair of 15-pen sites off the coast of Gouldsboro in Frenchman Bay. The company didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment.
Motorcyclist dies in collision with SUV in Maine
HARRISON, Maine (AP) — Authorities in Maine say a motorcyclist has died in a collision with a sport-utility vehicle. Investigators said 38-year-old Christopher McCue, of Naples, was traveling south on a road at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, crossed into the opposite lane and struck the front end of a northbound sport utility vehicle at the Harrison-Naples town line. Police said McCue was wearing a helmet. He died at the scene as a result of injuries suffered in the crash. The driver of the SUV and two small children who were passengers were evaluated for possible injuries. The Cumberland County sheriff’s office is investigating the crash.
SCALLOP FISHING-MAINE
Maine scallop fishermen to have same limits in 2021-22
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine fishermen will likely face the same quota limits for scallops in the coming fishing season. The Maine Department of Marine Resources said regulators have proposed daily possession limits of 15 gallons along most of Maine’s coast and 10 gallons in the Cobscook Bay area. That’s the same as last year. The Maine scallop fishery has recovered after a collapse that occurred in the mid-2000s. Fishermen brought more than 650,000 pounds of scallops to the docks in 2020. That was more than three times the total from 2010.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-LAWMAKER COMMENT
Lawmaker compares vaccine mandate to Nazi death camp doctor
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A group of Democrats wants a state Republican lawmaker to resign over comments in which she compared vaccine mandates to the Nazi doctor known as the “Angel of Death” who performed experiments on Jews. A letter called Rep. Heidi Sampson’s remarks “wildly unacceptable and inappropriate.” The state lawmaker made her comments during a rally in front of the State House. Democratic Sen. Joseph Baldacci, of Bangor, called the comparison of healthcare mandates to the Nazi Germany “an utter disrespect” to Holocaust survivors and the Jewish community.
BC-VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW ENGLAND
Pandemic jobless benefits about to end for tens of thousands
New England business leaders are awaiting the impact of pandemic-era unemployment benefits running out around Labor Day. The Boston Globe reports that the cutoff will affect more than 300,000 people in Massachusetts alone as employers grappling with staffing shortages hope more people will enter the job market. The chief executive of Action for Boston Community Development John Drew said some workers have used the time and benefits to pursue a new career or other opportunities.
CLEAN ENERGY GRANTS
Grants awarded for farm robots, energy storage in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A pair of companies in Biddeford and Wiscasset have received $250,000 grants through the Maine Clean Energy Innovation Challenge. Farmhand Automation, in Biddeford, is developing battery-powered farming robots while Peregrine Turbine Technologies, in Wiscasset, is developing turbine engine technology to store renewable power from solar and wind. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said innovative companies “are leading the transition to a clean energy future.”
STRANDED TURTLES
NOAA asks for help locating stranded sea turtles
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Federal ocean managers are asking beachgoers in New England and elsewhere to keep an eye out for stranded turtles. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office said several species of sea turtle will still be in the area for a few months. The office says healthy sea turtles normally should not be out of the water in the region. The office asked anyone who sees a turtle on the beach to report it. Beachgoers who encounter a stranded turtle can call the stranding and entanglement hot line at 866-755-6622.