Downeast Salmon Federation on the banks of the East Machias
Photo courtesy of Bob Mallard
HATCHERY The Downeast Salmon Federation s Peter Gray Hatchery on the East Machias River
Photo courtesy of Bob Mallard
HATCHERY The Downeast Salmon Federation s Peter Gray Hatchery on the East Machias River
Eating too many Maine freshwater fish can cause mercury poisoning Contributed • May 23, 2021
By Julia Bayly, Bangor Daily News Staff
While Maine’s lakes, rivers and streams are home to some great freshwater fishing, they are also contaminated with dangerous levels of toxic mercury. Fish caught in those waters can be a health danger to those eating them and that’s why Maine officials warn that eating too much freshwater fish can be a bad thing.
The Maine Community Foundation has awarded $95,000 in grants to 11 recipients in Hancock and Washington counties through its Downeast Innovation Fund, the foundation said.
Launched in 2018, the fund supports nonprofits that provide programs to improve or increase entrepreneurship and innovation in business and the local economies in Hancock and Washington counties.
Recipients in the latest funding round include the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center Inc. in Walpole, which will receive $10,000 to study the feasibility of farming sea scallops in the two Downeast counties.
New Ventures Maine in Bangor will also receive $10,000, to boost partnerships within the Downeast entrepreneurial ecosystem and expand access to micro-enterprise training advising and resources.