"The new paper asserts that the previous 2023 study was critically flawed, that the data in the study do not show that rockweed recovers within one year's time, and that the previous paper should not be used to determine Maine's marine ... Read More
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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
Legislators voted against LD 2003 (1/11/24)
Legislators voted against LD 2003, a bill that would have opened Maine's intertidal zone to rockweed harvesting without permission of the upland property owner. On January 11, 2024, the Marine Resources Committee unanimously voted Ought Not to ... Read More
Maine Monitor, “Illegal rockweed harvesting cases dismissed in court” (1/13/24)
"James Young had faced two charges of harvesting rockweed in closed conservation areas and two charges of theft for harvesting rockweed without the permission of the upland landowner." "Young’s license was suspended for a year by the commissioner ... 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
Weekly Packet (1/4/24) – Guest column by John Boit, Penobscot
"Seaweed bill would turn Maine’s coast into 3,000 miles of public land and threaten an ecosystem." Arguments against LD 2003, which would open the intertidal zone to unregulated rockweed harvesting and recreation. The Weekly Packet (Penobscot Bay ... Read More
Letter in the Ellsworth American, “The Truth About Rockweed” (12/14/23)
David Porter, of Brooklin, describes misleading publicity about a recent scientific paper published by researchers at the University of Maine and the Maine Maritime ... Read More