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Gulf of Maine Expedition 2002 Final Report

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Gulf of Maine Expedition 2002 Final Report From west to east, the white line in the map above represents the route of the Gulf of Maine Expedition; diamonds represent major community events. Cover art and above map designed by Heather Sisk, 2002. Gulf of Maine Expedition 2002 Final Report by Richard MacDonald Natalie Springuel Dan Earle Sue Hutchins Tom Teller Bob DeForrest Amy Minarik edited by Richard MacDonald designed by Natalie Springuel 285 Knox Road Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 USA Box 2670, RR #2 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia B5A 4A6 Canada www.gomexpedition.org July 2003 Funding for this report provided in part by Maine Sea Grant. Expedition logo designed by MSG-E-03-10 Natalie Springuel. NA030AR4170054 CONTENTS Mission Statement Introduction Purpose of this Report......................................................................................................... 1 What is the Gulf of Maine? .................................................................................................. 2 What is the Gulf of Maine Expedition? .................................................................................. 4 History of the Gulf of Maine Expedition ................................................................................ 5 Planning the Gulf of Maine Expedition .................................................................................. 9 The Gulf of Maine as Observed by the Gulf of Maine Expedition Ecology ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Landscape Ecology.................................................................................................... 11 Botany ..................................................................................................................... 12 Ornithology .............................................................................................................. 13 Intertidal Zone .......................................................................................................... 15 Phytoplankton .......................................................................................................... 17 Zoology .................................................................................................................... 18 Micrometeorology ..................................................................................................... 19 Ozone ...................................................................................................................... 20 People ......................................................................................................................................... 22 Concerned Citizens.................................................................................................... 22 Conservationists ....................................................................................................... 22 Fishermen ................................................................................................................ 24 Hospitable Locals ...................................................................................................... 25 Public Representatives .............................................................................................. 27 Sea Grant Staff ......................................................................................................... 27 Paddlers, Sea Kayak Guides & Outfitters ..................................................................... 28 Issues .......................................................................................................................................... 29 Coastal Development ................................................................................................ 29 Coastal Access & Coastal Use .................................................................................... 30 Recreational Coastal Use ........................................................................................... 32 Tourism .................................................................................................................... 34 Marine Resources...................................................................................................... 37 Lobster............................................................................................................... 37 Shellfish ............................................................................................................. 38 Urchins............................................................................................................... 39 Finfish ................................................................................................................ 39 Weir Fishing ....................................................................................................... 40 Seaweed ............................................................................................................ 40 Aquaculture ........................................................................................................ 41 Marine infrastructure ........................................................................................... 42 Pollution ................................................................................................................... 42 Coastal Debris .......................................................................................................... 44 Land-based Resource Management ............................................................................ 45 Industrialization ........................................................................................................ 47 Invasive Species ....................................................................................................... 48 Methods: Conducting the Gulf of Maine Expedition Education & Outreach ................................................................................................................... 50 Stewardship ................................................................................................................................. 53 Leave No Trace ............................................................................................................................. 54 Skills & Safety .............................................................................................................................. 56 Equipment & Food ........................................................................................................................ 60 Technology ................................................................................................................................... 61 Budget ......................................................................................................................................... 62 Travelogue ................................................................................................................................... 63 What Comes Next? ....................................................................................................................... 66 Sponsors, Supporters & Members .................................................................................................. 68 Selected Gulf of Maine References ................................................................................................. 72 Appendices Appendix I – List of Flowering Plants of the Gulf of Maine ............................................................... 74 Appendix II – List of Birds of the Gulf of Maine ............................................................................... 76 Appendix III – Daily Ozone Measurements ..................................................................................... 79 Appendix IV – Coastal Debris Data................................................................................................. 80 Appendix V – Media Coverage ....................................................................................................... 82 Team Biographies .................................................................................................. Inside back cover This engraved paddle was presented to the Gulf of Maine Expedition team by Nova Scotia’s Minister of Environment and Labour, the Honourable David Morse. The engraving reads, “Your arms have carried you far. What you learn may carry us further.” Mission: The Gulf of Maine Expedition is a sea kayaking journey organized to raise awareness and caring about the ecology and cultural legacy of this vast international watershed and to promote low-impact coastal recreational practices, safety, and stewardship principles. Left: North Shore, MA. Right: Brothers Islands, Englishman Bay, ME. Introduction Introduction Purpose of this Report After nearly five months, over 1,200 nautical miles, 23 birds, intertidal zone, phytoplankton, ozone, and all community events, and meeting countless people, it is marine life we encountered. Shoreline use and coastal clear that the Gulf of Maine Expedition achieved its debris were carefully documented. Stories shared by locals goal of changing how people look at this vast landscape. were scribbled in journals. And finally, serendipitous With the significant effort that went into undertaking observations played an important part of our efforts at the Gulf of Maine Expedition, as well as the tremendous documenting the Gulf of Maine. As we learned about reception
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