March 29, 2009
The Mussel Ridge archipelago of islets and ledges in southwest Penobscot Bay is interlaced by swirling currents of water from both the Gulf of Maine and the Penobscot River, which each spring travels as a giant plume of snowmelt freshwater from the river's 8,500 square mile watershed all the way to the southwestern edges of Penobscot Bay, bringing an untold wealth of nutrients to the waiting bay ecosystems. Michael Keating fishes this complex waterbody for a living and involves himself in the stakeholder processes for the ever-evolving fishing laws and regulations emanating from the agencies and legislatures of the state of Maine and the United States of America. In this 42 minute interview on March 25, 2009, Keating describes his experiences within the fisheries of the Mussel Ridge, details how scallopers and other fishermen take on thes latest challenges and opportunities, and offers a heads up on a new initiative dawning for Bay fishermen a zone-managed cod trapping industry in Maine's territorial Sea (Mean Low Water to three miles from shore. PHOTO: Mike Keating (right) and Arthur Alley(left) aboard Keating's scallop dragger Mary and Donna. (BDN photo by G. Degre)
