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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Maine’S Potential To Be A Global Leader In Sustainable Seaweed Harvesting And Management, Hannah M. Webber, Stefan Claesson, Shep Erhart, Catherine V. Schmitt, Jessica F. Muhlin Jan 2023

Maine’S Potential To Be A Global Leader In Sustainable Seaweed Harvesting And Management, Hannah M. Webber, Stefan Claesson, Shep Erhart, Catherine V. Schmitt, Jessica F. Muhlin

Maine Policy Review

A multitude of macroalgae (i.e., seaweed) species that are harvested in Maine are economically and ecologically important. Currently, management of these resources in Maine is focused on rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum). This seaweed grows in abundance along intertidal rocky shores and provides a number of benefits including serving as habitat and nursery for many species including fin-fish, coastal protection from storms and sea level rise, carbon sequestration, and is a harvestable natural resource used primarily in fertilizer and animal feed production. It is critical that these functions and benefits are maintained and harvesting activities managed to ensure a sustainable …


From Wilderness To Timberland To Vacationland To Ecosystem: Maine’S Forests, 1820–2020, Lloyd C. Irland Jan 2020

From Wilderness To Timberland To Vacationland To Ecosystem: Maine’S Forests, 1820–2020, Lloyd C. Irland

Maine Policy Review

The 200 years since Maine statehood span a series of changing metaphors used by people to understand the forest and its values: the forest as wilderness, as timberland, as vacationland, and as ecosystem. These metaphors have succeeded each other over time, but broadly speaking, they all persist to one degree or another. These ways of viewing and using the forest can conflict or can come to uneasy truces, but new developments can revive the tensions. Public policy is always well behind the shifting needs as timberland comes to be seen as vacationland and vacationland as ecosystem. Further, conflicts between different …


Policy Changes For A Nutrition Education Program In Maine: Issues And Implications, Alan Majka, Janet C. Fairman, Kathryn Yerxa Jan 2013

Policy Changes For A Nutrition Education Program In Maine: Issues And Implications, Alan Majka, Janet C. Fairman, Kathryn Yerxa

Maine Policy Review

Food insecurity and preventable chronic disease have profound impacts on quality of life and health care costs in Maine. Many government programs have been developed to address these issues; however, effectiveness has often been limited by restrictive policies and less than optimal coordination. In this paper the authors draw upon their research and experiences in Maine, research conducted by others, and state and national statistics to elucidate some of these programs, including their efficacy, limitations, potential and threats to their sustainability. The authors contend that recent federal rule changes allow for greater impact through implementation of evidence-based strategies at the …


It’S Growing Season For Maine’S Food System, Deborah Felder Jan 2011

It’S Growing Season For Maine’S Food System, Deborah Felder

Maine Policy Review

In the introduction to this special issue, guest editor Deb Felder lays out the elements of a sustainable food system. She notes that the increased interest in more ecologically sustainable, safe, humane, and economical community-supported food systems has “put Maine in the forefront of the food movement.”


Bringing Local Foods To The Farm Bill, Chellie Pingree Jan 2011

Bringing Local Foods To The Farm Bill, Chellie Pingree

Maine Policy Review

U.S. House Representative Chellie Pingree addresses the importance of revising the Federal Farm Bill to provide greater support to small, local farms if Maine and the nation are to have a sustainable food system..


An Abundant Food System, Russell Libby Jan 2011

An Abundant Food System, Russell Libby

Maine Policy Review

Russell Libby imagines what an abundant food system would look like for Maine and what it would take to get there. His recommendations include expanding the production and financing base, encouraging year-round production systems, building up mid-sized markets, and integrating farms into the ecosystem


Maine’S Dairy Relief Program, Tim Drake Jan 2011

Maine’S Dairy Relief Program, Tim Drake

Maine Policy Review

This short article looks at Maine’s dairy-relief program, which is viewed as national model of good public policy that can save jobs, support traditional industry, and keep a critical link in our food system


Getting What We Pay For (And Other Unintended Consequences): An Overview Of Federal Agricultural Policy, Maryann Hayes Jan 2011

Getting What We Pay For (And Other Unintended Consequences): An Overview Of Federal Agricultural Policy, Maryann Hayes

Maine Policy Review

The reauthoriza­tion of the Federal Farm Bill in 2012 means that activity is heating up to reform U.S. agricultural, nutrition, and energy policy. Mary Ann Hayes provides an overview of the Farm Bill’s history, its intended and unintended consequences, and what can be hoped for in 2012.


Toward A Working- Waterfront Ethic: Preserving Access To Maine’S Coastal Economy, Heritage, And Local Seafood, Robert Snyder Jan 2011

Toward A Working- Waterfront Ethic: Preserving Access To Maine’S Coastal Economy, Heritage, And Local Seafood, Robert Snyder

Maine Policy Review

Maine has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, one for which people are willing to pay a premium. But for Maine fisherman, the coast is how they access their liveli­hood. In 2002 only 25 miles of Maine’s 5,300-mile coastline supported working-waterfront access. This article discusses creative and innovative strategies to preserve Maine’s working waterfront, including current-use taxation, purchase of development rights, and community-supported fisheries (CSF).


Maine’S Food System: An Overview And Assessment, D. Robin Beck, Nikkilee Carleton, Hedda Steinhoff, Daniel Wallace, Mark Lapping Jan 2011

Maine’S Food System: An Overview And Assessment, D. Robin Beck, Nikkilee Carleton, Hedda Steinhoff, Daniel Wallace, Mark Lapping

Maine Policy Review

From an agrarian and seafaring past, Maine’s food system has seen profound changes over the past two centuries. Grain, milk, livestock, fish, potatoes, vegetables and fruits used to come from small, family farms. Today, most people in Maine don’t know where their food comes from. Many are dependent on federal, state and local “emergency food systems” such as food stamps, food pantries, and childhood nutrition programs. Food-processing facilities, distribution systems, and value-added products are in short supply. Nevertheless, Maine has a diversity and abundance of food prod­ucts. In this article, the authors provide a historical overview and current analysis of …


Poor Nutrition Amidst Plenty, Dora Anne Mills Jan 2011

Poor Nutrition Amidst Plenty, Dora Anne Mills

Maine Policy Review

Hunger and food insecurity is on the rise in Maine as are increases in obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, all linked to food choices. Old and young, immigrant and native, rural and urban—Mainers are experiencing a food emergency made graver by the economic recession and rising health costs. Dora Anne Mills writes about “poor nutrition amidst plenty,” its causes, consequences, and the programs and policies that address it


Healthy Food Access And Affordability: “We Can Pay The Farmer Or We Can Pay The Hospital", Gus Schumacher, Michel Nischan, Daniel Bowman Simon Jan 2011

Healthy Food Access And Affordability: “We Can Pay The Farmer Or We Can Pay The Hospital", Gus Schumacher, Michel Nischan, Daniel Bowman Simon

Maine Policy Review

The authors provide a history and overview of Federal food assistance efforts, especially food supplement programs, and the policy implications for Maine and national nutrition-incentive programs. They present a profile of the work of Wholesome Wave which aims to increase affordability and access to locally-grown food.


Hunger In Maine, Donna Yellen, Mark Swann, Elena Schmidt Jan 2011

Hunger In Maine, Donna Yellen, Mark Swann, Elena Schmidt

Maine Policy Review

Hunger and food insecurity is on the rise in Maine. Mainers are experiencing a food emergency made graver by the economic recession and rising health costs. The authors of this article discuss hunger in Maine, focusing on private efforts to alleviate it.


Challenges To Food Access Among Lewiston’S African Immigrants, Michelle Vasquez Jacobus, Reza Jalali Jan 2011

Challenges To Food Access Among Lewiston’S African Immigrants, Michelle Vasquez Jacobus, Reza Jalali

Maine Policy Review

Michelle Vasquez Jacobus and Reza Jelali present a case study of challenges to food access among African immigrants in Lewiston, Maine


Food Safety, Alfred A. Bushway, Beth Calder, Jason Bolton Jan 2011

Food Safety, Alfred A. Bushway, Beth Calder, Jason Bolton

Maine Policy Review

The authors describe the importance of food safety regulations and practices in this era of global food systems and illustrate some of the challenges facing Maine’s small food producers and processors.


Are The Economics Of A Sustainable Maine Forest Sustainable?, Mike Levert, Charles S. Colgan, Charles Lawton Jan 2007

Are The Economics Of A Sustainable Maine Forest Sustainable?, Mike Levert, Charles S. Colgan, Charles Lawton

Maine Policy Review

Mike LeVert, Charles Colgan and Charles Lawton discuss the transformation of the economic environment of Maine’s forests over the past two decades. Paper companies have sold most of their holdings; residential and conservation demand for land has increased; forestland prices have skyrocketed; and new classes of landowners have different strategies, objectives, and time horizons than the old industrial landowners. The authors believe that management of Maine’s forests must now address changes in the economic environment with the same intensity as threats such as the spruce budworm were addressed if we are to keep Maine’s forests as forests.


Alternative Large-Scale Conservation Visions For Northern Maine: Interviews With Decision Leaders In Maine, Elizabeth Dennis Baldwin, Laura S. Kenefic, Will F. Lapage Jan 2007

Alternative Large-Scale Conservation Visions For Northern Maine: Interviews With Decision Leaders In Maine, Elizabeth Dennis Baldwin, Laura S. Kenefic, Will F. Lapage

Maine Policy Review

Based on confidential interviews with 21 decision leaders in Maine, Elizabeth Baldwin, Laura Kenefic, and Will LaPage examine the complexity of the conflicts over alternate visions for large-scale conservation in Maine. Exploring models that may be useful for policymakers grappling with competing values for Maine’s forests, they present four alternatives: national forests, new U.S. forest service models, forest heritage areas, and the British national park model. The authors found that the leaders interviewed agreed about the need for some level of conservation, but did not completely agree on how this might happen and where the decision-making power should lie.


Fish Or Foul? Will Aquaculture Carve Out A Niche In The Gulf Of Maine?, Philip W. Conkling Jan 2000

Fish Or Foul? Will Aquaculture Carve Out A Niche In The Gulf Of Maine?, Philip W. Conkling

Maine Policy Review

Despite early promise and an optimal environment, aquaculture has grown more slowly in Maine than it has in other parts of the United States and the world. As Philip Conkling explains, this is due to market forces, scientific and technical issues, cultural opposition, and, more recently, the threat of an endangered species listing for Atlantic salmon. While near-term prospects for significant expansion of the industry appear bleak, Conkling suggests that a fresh generation of pioneers may be able to carve out a new niche, but only by conducting “old fashioned” research and development—on the job, on the water, and in …


Charting A Course For The Future Of Maine's Fisheries: An Interview With Commissioner Robin Alden, Robin Alden Jan 1996

Charting A Course For The Future Of Maine's Fisheries: An Interview With Commissioner Robin Alden, Robin Alden

Maine Policy Review

In a January, 1996 interview, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Robin Alden shared her concerns about the direction of federal fisheries management and her goals for building a more dynamic and self-managing system here in Maine. In particular, Alden described the recent legislation which creates zone councils and an apprenticeship system in Maine’s lobster fishery. Alden articulated a direction for Maine’s fisheries that challenges conventional fisheries management and as such, is being watched closely by fisheries managers in Maine as well as elsewhere in the U.S. and overseas.


Options For Managing Maine’S Fisheries: Fisheries Management From An Ecological Perspective, James A. Wilson Jan 1996

Options For Managing Maine’S Fisheries: Fisheries Management From An Ecological Perspective, James A. Wilson

Maine Policy Review

Jim Wilson counters the concerns raised by Ralph Townsend [this issue].The current policy course set by Marine Resources Commissioner Robin Alden is based on an approach to fisheries management which redefines the sustainability problem as an ecosystem problem. Wilson argues that, within this new paradigm, questions such as “how, when, and where” to fish (or not fish) are much more central than species-specific quota setting. These questions not only change the rules under which co-management is implemented but also may improve fisheries management in ways that quota systems have failed, that is the long term conservation of species and habitats.


Common Sense Over Politics Is The Answer, Kevin Hancock Jan 1996

Common Sense Over Politics Is The Answer, Kevin Hancock

Maine Policy Review

No abstract provided.


Options For Managing Maine’S Fisheries: Traditional Fisheries Management, Ralph Townsend Jan 1996

Options For Managing Maine’S Fisheries: Traditional Fisheries Management, Ralph Townsend

Maine Policy Review

Ralph Townsend discusses the historic evolution of fisheries management as well as more current trends toward co-management in Maine’s groundfisheries. Looking at successful experiences with co-management, he wonders whether current efforts in Maine’s lobster industry will be successful without tackling the tough issue of access limitation.