Baby eel value up to pre-pandemic levels despite challenges
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Concerns that war in Europe or fickle weather might hold back one of America’s most valuable fisheries appear to have been unfounded. Baby eels, also called elvers, are one of the most lucrative wild fish species in the U.S. Maine is the only state in the country with a sizeable baby eel fishing industry, and the price for the tiny fish is back up to pre-pandemic levels this spring. Maine regulators reported Monday that fishermen are selling the baby eels for $2,110 per pound at docks. They’ve also run through more than four-fifths of their quota for the year.
ISLAND SOLD
Part of historic island near Portland sells for $5.3M
PORTLAND HARBOR, Maine (AP) — Part of an island in Portland harbor is no longer on the market after being purchased last week for $5.3 million. The Portland Press Herald reported Sunday that the new owners of the 12-acre property on House Island plan to host weddings and other events there. Casey Prentice and Kevin Costello are managing partners of Portland Foreside, a development project along the city’s eastern waterfront. That’s just a few minutes from House Island, which is accessible by boat or helicopter. The seller’s realty company says the property has three renovated homes, a barn, a pier and five sandy beaches.
NALOXONE ADMINISTRATION
Maine eyes new rules to make naloxone administration easier
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers are looking to make it easier for public safety workers to administer naloxone. Naloxone is a drug that can reverse an opioid overdose. The Maine House recently passed a proposal to authorize law enforcement officers, corrections officers and municipal firefighters to administer or dispense the drug. The proposal would also remove a requirement that corrections officers must possess a certificate to administer naloxone.
CRYPTOCURRENCY-RUSSIA
Senators want to prevent Putin dodging sanctions via crypto
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s independent senator wants the U.S. to try to limit Russian president Vladimir Putin and others in Russia from dodging economic sanctions by using cryptocurrencies. Sen. Angus King said he is cosponsoring legislation that would seek to stop Putin and others from using digital assets to make an end-run on tough sanctions placed by the U.S. He said the proposal would stop any Russian digital assets from being traded in U.S. jurisdictions. He says the proposal would also include new cryptocurrency transparency requirements and give the Biden administration new powers to go after the digital assets.
POLICE SHOOTING-MAINE
Maine AG says trooper justified in shooting, wounding man
THORNDIKE, Maine (AP) — Maine’s attorney general says a state trooper was justified in shooting and wounding a man in 2019. The shooting stemmed from a confrontation between a Thorndike man and police in November 2019. Police responded to a call from a woman concerned that the man was yelling outside her house. Attorney General Aaron Frey said in his report Friday that the trooper reasonably believed the man was about to use deadly force against him. Frey said the trooper saw what he believed to be a stun gun and a pistol in the man’s hands. The man’s gun turned out to be a pepper spray gun.
UTILITY RATING
Advocates call for strict utility rating system in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Advocates for Maine energy consumers have made the case that regulators in the state should apply strict standards in creating a rating system for the state’s utilities. The Maine Public Utilities Commission is developing the rating system to measure the quality of the service provided by the utilities. The Portland Press Herald reports the system would resemble report cards that would give regulators a new way to assess the companies and impose penalties when needed. The commission held a public hearing on the rating system on Thursday.