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Maine’s working waterfronts are evolving, as aquaculture, climate change, and shifting access reshape how coastal communities make a living. In this episode of Rising Tides, Bill Perna speaks with Abby Barrows about her path from environmental science into oyster farming, and what that shift reveals about the future of Maine’s coast.

Abby reflects on why she chose to buy an oyster farm on Deer Isle, what makes that particular stretch of water unique, and the practical challenges of operating an aquaculture business in a region long dominated by lobstering. Their conversation explores how environmental pressures, infrastructure limitations, and waterfront access influence day-to-day decisions on the water.

Grounded in both scientific research and lived experience, this episode considers how aquaculture, diversification, and community collaboration may shape the next chapter 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

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Maine has abundant, sustainably managed fisheries, yet much of that fish never reaches local plates. In this episode of Rising Tides, Bill Perna speaks with Ben Martens about why disconnects between fishing, markets, and access continue to shape who benefits from Maine’s coastal resources.

Ben reflects on how working waterfront access, unstable markets, and shifting priorities affect fishing communities, even when fish stocks are healthy. Their conversation explores efforts to strengthen local food systems, connect Maine seafood to schools and communities, and think long-term about resilience in the face of environmental and economic change.

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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Decisions made today will shape Maine’s coast for decades to come. In this episode of Rising Tides, Bill Perna speaks with Bill Mook about how science, regulation, and long-term thinking influence the future of the working waterfront.

Bill Mook reflects on the role of research and governance in managing coastal change, from aquaculture development to broader environmental pressures in the Gulf of Maine. Their conversation explores how evidence, public process, and collaboration help guide difficult choices, and why patience and perspective matter when balancing growth, conservation, and community needs.

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 future is being shaped by people adapting in real time. In this opening episode of Rising Tides, Bill Perna speaks with oyster farmer Jeff Auger about the forces reshaping the working waterfront.

Jeff reflects on his path into aquaculture and the realities of building a livelihood on the water today. Together, they discuss cooperation between fishermen, farmers, regulators, and coastal communities, and how environmental change, access, and local knowledge increasingly shape everyday decisions along Maine’s 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

Send a text

Eric Oransky grew up in Freeport, Maine. He spent a lot of time on Casco Bay. When he was 21, he apprenticed with the Scottish master cabinet maker James Bowie for furniture making in northern California. In 2007, at 23, Eric moved back to Maine and started his first business, all the while spending time on the water any chance he got. He focused on woodworking, including furniture, and building for about seven years. He found he missed working on the water. So, in 2017 he formed Maine Ocean Farms with his two partners, Willy Leathers and Tom Klondenski.

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

Send a text

This episode is part of a series of long-form conversations exploring Maine aquaculture and the people working on and alongside the water. Through firsthand experience and lived perspective, the podcast looks at how environmental, economic, and community forces shape Maine’s working waterfront.

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

Send a text

This episode is part of a series of long-form conversations exploring Maine aquaculture and the people working on and alongside the water. Through firsthand experience and lived perspective, the podcast looks at how environmental, economic, and community forces shape Maine’s working waterfront.

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

Send a text

George Parr has been in the seafood business for four decades. He has been instrumental in creating the reputation of Maine oysters. George takes a firm stand when buyers “From Away” come to Maine and try to drive down oyster prices rather than pay a fair price for what many consider to be among the world’s best oysters. His sense of fairness has benefited not just his clients but all of Maine’s oyster growers. George came to Maine from New York City He is candid, funny, and direct. To say George is an interesting character would be an understatement.

I quickly realized He has encyclopedic knowledge that he easily draws from. George has probably forgotten more than many people know about the business.

He, like his partner Dana Street, has been a significant influence in creating Portland’s well-deserved reputation as one of the best food towns in the U.S. Dana Street has a prestigious portfolio of some of Portland’s best restaurants, Street and Company; Fore Street, with Sam Hayward; Standard Bakery, with Alison Pray, and the Scales Restaurant, on the Maine Wharf next to Upstream Trucking. Upstream Trucking is a seafood-wholesaling business that George runs and That’s where I met George.

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