Past Research Projects
Midcoast Maine Cooperative Scallop Project
In June 2013, Midcoast Maine scallop fishermen initiated discussions with Hurricane about implementing a small-scale closed area on Lower Muscle Ridge south of Spruce Head in western Penobscot Bay. This led to a three-year closure to harvesting of the Atlantic Sea Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) in October 2013. HICSL coordinated the project and partnered with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Island Institute, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Penobscot East Resource Center, and the University of Maine to establish the Midcoast Maine Cooperative Scallop Project (MMCSP). Hurricane’s project team conducted baseline and follow up surveys in 2013 - 2017 to determine scallop abundance inside of the closed area and in adjacent areas and collected data on larval supply to the areas using spat bags. A publication of the results from this larger effort is currently in-prep. You can read the senior capstone project of Jessica Batchelder (Hurricane Research Intern, Assistant, and Aquaculture Manager 2016-2019) here. Jessie’s study evaluates temporal and spatial variability in larval abundance as part of the MMCSP effort.
Ecological Assessment
Using Hurricane Island as a study site, Ben Lemmond conducted an extensive scientific assessment of Hurricane’s entire terrestrial environment for his MS thesis. This thesis includes documentation of the island’s flora and fauna, geology, soils, climate, topography and human history. Extensive maps show a comprehensive analysis of the entire island geography and opportunities for future scientific research.
Groundwater Hydrology Analysis
Dr. Beverly Johnson, Chair of the Department of Geology at Bates College, conducted a small-scale study to understand the potential for salt water intrusion in our quarry. She the measured specific conductivity in the two major sources feeding the quarry--- groundwater from the ocean (via dock sampling) and groundwater from precipitation (via our Ice Pond ). Using the conductivity as tracers for these water bodies, and a 2 end member mixing model, and assuming these are the only 2 sources of water in the quarry, she calculated the quarry is made up of ~0.2% ocean water and ~99.8% groundwater/precipitation. That’s good news for us as the quarry is our sole source of freshwater on the island!
