Commentary from wild seaweed harvester Larch Hanson, Maine Seaweed (theseaweedman.com), in Gouldsboro Bay The Working Waterfront https://www.islandinstitute.org/working-waterfront/a-life-in-seaweed-seen-from-inside/ A life in ... Read More
Commentary
Rockweed harvesting raises local concerns. . . (11/12/24)
This article also appeared in the Ellsworth American on 11/13/24. ... Read More
Stronger regulations needed for rockweed harvesting (10/29/24)
The following letter was submitted to the Portland Press Herald from David Porter and Allison Snow. "We are writing in response to the Oct. 15 letter by Jake Patryn, Acadian Seaplants’ director of operations in Maine (“Rockweed industry backs ... Read More
BDN Letter – Beach access case and rockweed harvesting (7/16/24)
"I think focusing attention on beach access is a classic distraction away from the plaintiffs’ desire to have unfettered commercial access to Maine’s underwater rockweed forest." Letter by David Porter in the Bangor Daily News July 16, ... Read More
Hakai Magazine features rockweed forest (7/5/24)
"Here is a photo of the rockweed forest on the coast of Maine where I live." by David Porter (link to Hakai Magazine with this featured post) ... Read More
Letter in the Ellsworth American, “Rockweed risk vs. reward” (3/7/24)
Mark Harris writes that industrial-scale rockweed harvesting poses a risk for fish and wildlife and is not properly regulated. Dear Editor: “In the weeds: Seaweed proves a valuable cash crop” was the lead article in the insert on Hancock County’s ... Read More
Letter in the Ellsworth American, “Rockweed is not kelp” (3/7/24)
David Porter discusses kelp farming vs. harvesting of wild rockweed, and why it is important to protect rockweed from over-harvesting. Dear Editor: I was pleased to see promotion of seaweed aquaculture in the article “In the weeds” [Ellsworth ... Read More
Quoddy Tides, “Protecting rockweed & working waterfront” (2/23/24)
Guest column by Robin Hadlock Seeley, PhD, executive director of the Maine Rockweed Coalition: Supporting the working waterfront means supporting fishery habitat. Rockweed, our local seaweed along low tide shorelines, is a vital commercial fishery ... Read More
The Working Waterfront, “Rockweed study not accurately explained” (2/1/24)
This Op-Ed by David Porter provides more context for the University of Maine study and the university's press release: Rockweed is a slow-growing, wild seaweed on the rocky coast of Maine. It is highly valued as a commercial fertilizer and debates ... Read More
Letter in the Ellsworth American, “Up for Grabs” (1/6/24)
"A bill (LD 2003) is now before the Maine Legislature to decriminalize the taking of seaweed (mostly rockweed) from anywhere along Maine’s shores with or without the owner’s permission." Letter by Alan Moldawer, Lamoine. January 6, ... Read More