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Maine's Damariscotta River has been producing oysters for thousands of years. The shell middens that line its banks — some rising 31 vertical feet — are evidence that Native Americans were harvesting here at commercial scale long before lobstering, clamming, or any other fishery Maine is known for. David Cheney farms 650 feet from the largest of them, and he'll tell you that's all the science he needs.

In this episode of Rising Tides, Bill Perna speaks with David Cheney, founder of Johns River Oyster, about a life spent entirely in and on the water — digging clams commercially from fourth grade, lobstering out of New Harbor for sixteen years, and ultimately building one of Maine's more distinctive oyster operations from the ground up.

David's farm runs across two sites: oysters are started in the nutrient-rich, fast-growing waters of the upper Damariscotta River, then relayed twenty-two miles to Johns River — where he grew up — to finish in higher-salinity water that hardens the shell and produces what he calls a clean finish. His Whaleback oysters are named for the shell midden on whose doorstep he farms.

Their conversation covers the economics of leaving lobstering behind, the science of oyster flavour and terroir, what warming waters mean for the species that can thrive on Maine's coast, and why David believes aquaculture here is still just the beginning.

Perna Content's Rising Tides explores how coastal Maine is adapting to environmental, economic, and cultural change through long-form conversations with people working on and alongside the water. New episodes are released fortnightly.

The podcast accompanies the book Rising Tides: Adapting to Maine’s Coastal Future, available at www.pernacontent.com/publishing

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Maine's working waterfront generates enormous amounts of waste — fish heads, viscera, eel trim — material that processors pay to get rid of. Liam Fisher thinks that's an opportunity hiding in plain sight.

In this episode of Rising Tides, Bill Perna speaks with Liam about the unlikely path that brought him from mechanical engineering in Worcester to hand-cutting eels on the Maine coast, and how a bucket of smelts from a roommate set him on the road to building Maine's first waste-stream fish sauce.

Trained in the fermentation traditions of fine dining and shaped by years working in aquaculture and seafood processing, Liam has developed a garum — an ancient fermented fish sauce — made entirely from byproducts that would otherwise be discarded. The product launched quietly in July and sold out its first case in a single day. Since launch, the product has found its way into restaurants and retail shops across the Maine coast, with demand already outpacing what he can currently produce.

Their conversation covers the science of fermentation, the economics of waste utilization, and what it takes to turn a passion project into a sustainable business on the Maine coast.

Perna Content's Rising Tides explores how coastal Maine is adapting to environmental, economic, and cultural change through long-form conversations with people working on and alongside the water. New episodes are released fortnightly.

The podcast accompanies the book Rising Tides: Adapting to Maine’s Coastal Future, available at www.pernacontent.com/publishing

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Maine’s coastal economy is being quietly reshaped by new industries, new pressures, and the people working to connect them. In this episode of Rising Tides, Bill Perna speaks with Dana Morse about what it really takes to support a changing working waterfront.

With decades of experience at Maine Sea Grant and the University of Maine’s Marine Extension program, Dana reflects on his role at the intersection of science, industry, and community. From helping shellfish farmers get started to advising on policy and innovation, he shares how aquaculture has evolved alongside Maine’s traditional fisheries and what that means for those making a living on the water.

Their conversation explores the realities behind diversification, the challenges of access and infrastructure, and how climate and market forces are shaping decisions on the ground. Grounded in long-term perspective and hands-on experience, this episode looks at how collaboration, adaptation, and practical support systems will define the future of Maine’s working waterfronts.

Perna Content's Rising Tides explores how coastal Maine is adapting to environmental, economic, and cultural change through long-form conversations with people working on and alongside the water. New episodes are released fortnightly.

The podcast accompanies the book Rising Tides: Adapting to Maine’s Coastal Future, available at www.pernacontent.com/publishing