Rising Tides - Adapting to Coastal Maine's Future

Perna Content
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Rising Tides: Adapting to Coastal Maine’s Future captures the voices of people living and working along Maine’s changing coast. Through long-form conversations with oyster farmers and other aquaculturalists, fishermen, scientists, and community leaders, the series explores how environmental, economic, and cultural forces are reshaping the working waterfront. Maine’s coast sits on the frontlines of global change. Warming waters, shifting fisheries, new industries, and increasing pressure on access and infrastructure are transforming ways of life that have endured for generations. Rather than focusing on headlines or ideology, Rising Tides listens closely to lived experience – how people are adapting, what is being lost, and what might still be preserved. These are local stories with global relevance, told thoughtfully and without haste, offering insight into the challenges and possibilities facing coastal communities in Maine and beyond.

  1. 1D AGO

    Rising Tides: The Hidden Work Behind Maine’s Coastal Economy – with Dana Morse

    Send us Fan Mail 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

    26 min

  2. FEB 17

    Rising Tides: Oyster Farming in Lobster Country – with Abby Barrows

    Send us Fan Mail 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

    24 min

  3. FEB 4

    Rising Tides: Why So Much Sustainable Fish Never Reaches Our Plates – with Ben Martens

    Send us Fan Mail 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

    45 min

  4. JAN 20

    Rising Tides: How Science Is Shaping Maine's Coastal Future - with Bill Mook

    Send us Fan Mail 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

    29 min

  5. JAN 9

    Rising Tides: Change on the Working Waterfront - with Jeff Auger

    Send us Fan Mail 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

    37 min
  6. Maine Oyster Aquaculture: Maine Ocean Farms - with Eric Oransky

    03/16/2021

    Maine Oyster Aquaculture: Maine Ocean Farms - with Eric Oransky

    Send us Fan Mail 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

    23 min
  7. Maine Oyster Aquaculture: Maine Coast Fishermen's Association - with Ben Martens

    02/02/2021

    Maine Oyster Aquaculture: Maine Coast Fishermen's Association - with Ben Martens

    Send us Fan Mail 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

    17 min
  8. Maine Oyster Aquaculture: Pernaquid Oyster - with Smokey McKeen

    01/19/2021

    Maine Oyster Aquaculture: Pernaquid Oyster - with Smokey McKeen

    Send us Fan Mail 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

    14 min
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About

Rising Tides: Adapting to Coastal Maine’s Future captures the voices of people living and working along Maine’s changing coast. Through long-form conversations with oyster farmers and other aquaculturalists, fishermen, scientists, and community leaders, the series explores how environmental, economic, and cultural forces are reshaping the working waterfront. Maine’s coast sits on the frontlines of global change. Warming waters, shifting fisheries, new industries, and increasing pressure on access and infrastructure are transforming ways of life that have endured for generations. Rather than focusing on headlines or ideology, Rising Tides listens closely to lived experience – how people are adapting, what is being lost, and what might still be preserved. These are local stories with global relevance, told thoughtfully and without haste, offering insight into the challenges and possibilities facing coastal communities in Maine and beyond.

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