The Associated Press spoke with Rick Wahle, a University of Maine research professor at the Darling Marine Center, and cited UMaine research for a report about the steady decline in the number of baby lobsters settling off the coast of Maine and how the decrease could put an end to recent record catches. The article cited a UMaine survey of 11 Gulf of Maine locations that found young lobsters have declined by more than half of their 2007 levels. UMaine divers have been tracking the settlement rates of Maine lobsters since the late 1980s, according to the article. Wahle said the lobsters could be thinning out for many reasons, including rising ocean temperature. He added the lobster decline is “telling a story of gradually — and more recently rapidly — declining settlement in the Gulf of Maine on a widespread basis,” which is raising concern. ABC News, Yahoo News, NBC News, Portland Press Herald, Morning Sentinel and WABI (Channel 5) carried the AP report.
Archive for the ‘UMaine in the News’ Category
AP Interviews Wahle for Article on Lobster Decline
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014Franco Symposium Previewed in Press Herald Blog
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014The latest post on the Portland Press Herald blog, “The Franco-American blog: News and notes from Maine’s French culture,” focused on the upcoming University of Maine spring symposium, “In and Out of Place: Finding Home in Franco America.” UMaine’s Franco-American Centre and Franco American Studies program will host the series of free events April 25–26 on the Orono campus. The symposium is sponsored by the UMaine Humanities Initiative and le Ministère des Relations internationales, Francophonie et Commerce extérieur du Québec, and will feature readings from acclaimed writers, panel discussions by scholars from New England and Canada, and a screening of the film “Le grand Jack (Jack Kerouac’s Road: A Franco-American Odyssey)” directed by Herménégilde Chiasson.
Camire Quoted in CTW Features Article on Healthy Snacking
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014Mary Ellen Camire, professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Maine, was quoted in the CTW Features article “Avoid the snack traps.” Camire said to get the most nutritional benefits from snacks, people should look at their eating habits and decide what types of foods are lacking and make up for them with snacks. She gives the example of snacking on yogurt in the morning and string cheese in the afternoon if dairy intake is a concern. She also suggested keeping snacks at 200 calories or less. Philly.com and Quad Cities Online carried the report.
Jones Interviewed by MPBN for Alternative Currencies Report
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014The Maine Public Broadcasting Network spoke with Nory Jones, an e-commerce specialist and professor of management information systems at the University of Maine, for the report “Cash-strapped Mainers eyeing alternative currencies.” Jones said alternative currencies such as the Bitcoin are unstable and volatile, and even though the currency has gained some legitimacy, she doesn’t think it’s enough to make the coins useful. Jones said in order for virtual currency to be legitimate, she thinks it’s going to need some form of governmental support.
Emerald Ash Borer Research, Symposium Mentioned in Morning Sentinel Article
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014Research and outreach efforts being done at the University of Maine to learn more about the devastating effects of the emerald ash borer were mentioned in a Morning Sentinel article about how the Asian beetles are threatening the livelihood of Maine’s American Indian basket makers by destroying ash trees, which are needed to create the traditional baskets. The basket makers are part of an anti-borer coalition that includes university researchers, entomologists and forestry officials. For the last several years, the faculty at UMaine’s Senator George J. Mitchell Center and Maine’s Sustainability Solutions Initiative have hosted an annual symposium about the invasive pests. Last year, the event drew 65 people from a variety of state and federal agencies, entomologists and Wabanakis. The article also stated UMaine researchers have begun mapping existing ash and collecting and preserving ash seeds that could be replanted after a potential wave of devastation.
UMaine Spruce Budworm Research Referenced in MPBN Report
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014Research being conducted at the University of Maine was cited in the Maine Public Broadcasting Network report “Maine bracing for another spruce budworm outbreak.” The spruce budworm, one of the most damaging native insects of spruce and fir trees, is currently attacking trees in Quebec, and Maine forestry officials fear the insect could start destroying state forests in the next two to four years. The last outbreak in Maine began around 1970 and ended in 1985, killing more than 20 percent of the state’s fir trees, according to the Maine Forest Products Council. Patrick Strauch of the Maine Forest Products Council, told MPBN this time landowners hope to stay ahead of the bug and do targeted, presalvage cutting. Researchers at the University of Maine are helping with the preventative effort by conducting modeling to help landowners plan ahead.
Gabe’s Forest Industry Study Cited in Mainebiz Article
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014A 2013 study by University of Maine economist Todd Gabe was cited in the Mainebiz article, “Farm Credit East merger seen as beneficial to Maine farmers, loggers, commercial fishermen.” According to Gabe’s study, the forest industry in Maine has a total economic impact of $8 billion and direct employment of 17,075 workers.
UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick ID Lab Mentioned in Press Herald Article
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014The Portland Press Herald referred to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Tick ID Lab in an article about Maine ticks surviving the long, cold winter. The article mentioned different types of ticks — deer ticks and dog ticks — and stated if someone is not sure what type of tick was attached to them, they should send the dead tick to the UMaine Extension Tick ID Lab at 491 College Ave. in Orono or call 207.581.3880 for more information.
Press Herald Previews Release of Maine Policy Review in Interview
Monday, April 21st, 2014The Portland Press Herald spoke with David Kappos, a former director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, about an article he has written for the upcoming issue of Maine Policy Review, a publication of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center. In his article, Kappos argues that Maine is strategically well-positioned to lead the next wave of innovation in the United States.
Dixon Talks to Press Herald About Monoculture Risks
Monday, April 21st, 2014The Portland Press Herald quoted University of Maine assistant professor for climate change and sustainability coordinator Dan Dixon in an article titled “Green Glossary Part 2: Living la vida LOHAS.” Dixon explained monoculture — the practice of growing “a single crop, year after year,” — and how it can lead to the depletion and erosion of soils.
