A school of baitfish swims off the coast of Biddeford in 2018. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press, file
Last year was the fifth hottest year on record in the Gulf of Maine, continuing a trend that makes it one of the fastest-warming bodies of ocean on Earth, according to the latest annual report from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.
Late winter and spring 2023 saw record-setting sea surface temperatures about five degrees above the climatological average. The second half of the year was relatively cool, thanks partly to the mixing effect of a passing storm, and much closer to long-term normals.
The outcome was an average temperature of 52.6 degrees, or 1.9 degrees above the long-term norm, a result that the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, or GMRI, found consistent with the long-term trend of warming conditions driven primarily by anthropogenic climate change.
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According to GMRI’s warming report, eight of the last 10 years have been among the Gulf’s top 10 warmest.
“The complete picture of conditions for the Gulf of Maine reveal a region experiencing profound changes,” the report concluded. “Since 2010, the Gulf of Maine has experienced a disproportionate number of anomalously hot sea surface temperatures and prolonged marine heat wave events.”
Here are some other key ocean warming takeaways for the Gulf of Maine in 2023:
• February, March and April set records for the highest monthly average temperature.
• Record daily highs were reported in over half of 2023’s first quarter, including 25 days in February.
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• Despite 2023’s hot spring, summer is still warming fastest overall – four times the global average.
• The longest of three marine heat waves lasted 113 days, from January through May.
The 36,000 sprawling square miles of the Gulf of Maine that stretch northeast from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia are warming by a little under 1 degree every decade, according to GMRI. That’s three times the rate of the global ocean, which is warming by about a third of a degree per decade.
The Gulf of Maine is a huge draw for Maine’s $9.1 billion tourist industry and home to a bevy of beloved wildlife, including rare whales and seabirds like the Atlantic puffin, iconic fish stocks like cod and haddock, and the $1.5 billion U.S. lobster industry – all of which are impacted by warming waters.
To see how the gulf’s year compares, 2023 was the hottest year on record for the gulf’s larger North Atlantic home, according to the GMRI report. Average North Atlantic ocean temperatures were 1.5°F above normal, the report said, and set record daily highs on 304 out of 365 days.
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The Gulf of Maine is most influenced by the Labrador Current, which brings colder water from the north. The oscillating Gulf Stream is warming faster than the global oceans and is shifting closer to shore, with its warm-water breakaways increasing Gulf of Maine temperatures for months at a time.
The balance between Maine’s two dominant ocean currents is shifting, according to GMRI. The Arctic-infused Labrador Current isn’t as cold as it used to be and the Gulf Stream is warmer and wider than ever, a shift that is contributing to the region’s long-term ocean warming trends.
Even small changes in temperature can have a significant impact on some marine wildlife, including cold-water species like herring, which is in decline, and warm-water species like squid and butterfish, which are both increasing. It’s not just fish, either – puffins are changing what they feed to their chicks.
But it’s not all bad news. In a recently completed 10-year study of Casco Bay, GMRI noted a spike in the population of warm-water species, like blue crab, able to survive the increasingly mild winters to spawn in the spring and develop into a burgeoning fishery.
A report by the institute found 2023 consistent with the long-term warming trend driven primarily by human-caused climate change, although the authors noted individual years could be influenced by large-scale patterns of natural variability, especially on a regional level.
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The state’s climate action plan, Maine Won’t Wait, has a whole section dedicated to the study of how a warming, rising Gulf of Maine is impacting the state’s coastal and marine resources and communities, ranging from the fishing industry to residential flood insurance.
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Parker Hannifin to halt Kittery operations by November, laying off 48 workers
WATERVILLE — Rescue workers scrambled to Head of Falls shortly before 4:30 p.m. Monday for a report of a person who had fallen about 25 feet onto rocks along the edge of the Kennebec River.
The Waterville Fire Department deployed its ladder truck and used a basket to lift the person up an embankment.
A LifeFlight of Maine helicopter then took the person to the hospital, according to reports.
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While the circumstances leading the rescue were not clear Monday evening, a woman at the park said she saw what had happened.
Earlina Strozyk, who was sitting inside her car at the parking lot facing the river, said she looked up and saw a teenager running across the park.
“She jumped over the railing,” Strozyk said. “There was a bunch of cops chasing her, and she had jumped over the railing.”
Almost immediately, Strozyk said, police told her to move car from the parking lot at the park’s north end, which officers then cordoned off.
Strozyk said she moved her car to the parking lot at the park’s south end.
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Strozyk’s account of what had happened could not be confirmed Monday evening.
The Waterville Police and Fire departments and Maine State Police were at the scene.
Waterville police did not return a request Monday evening for comment.
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Voters to decide on proposed $29.8 million budget for Hallowell-area school district
SANFORD, Maine — Three people were hospitalized Monday following a collision between a car and a tractor-trailer truck at the intersection of Route 4 and New Dam Road.
Two of the injured people were brought to Southern Maine Health Care’s campus in Sanford, while the third was transported by a Life Flight helicopter to Maine Medical Center in Portland, according to the Sanford Police Department.
The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m.
The Maine State Police Commercial Truck and Crash Reconstruction Units are at the scene and are assisting Sanford police officers with their investigation.
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In a post on Facebook, the Police Department acknowledged witnesses and passersby who assisted at the scene.
“We would like to thank the public who stopped to help prior to emergency responders’ arrival,” the SPD said.
Police asked the public to avoid the intersection while the investigation continues.
The first day of summer is still a month away, but it’s time to dive into big, outdoor concerts because there are a ton scheduled, starting this weekend.
Country singer Parker McCollum kicks things off on Saturday at the Maine Savings Amphitheater in Bangor.
From newer bands to acts that date back decades, this year’s outdoor summer concert season has something for everyone, and the shows don’t let up until after Labor Day.
Here are 15 of the summer’s biggest outdoor shows.
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Aeriel view of the Snow Pond Center for the Arts amphitheater in Sidney. Photo by Izzy Bouchard
Jo Dee Messina June 6. Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, Sidney, $40 general admission lawn, $60 general admission pit. snowpond.org Country singer Jo Dee Messina struck gold with her debut 1996 song “Heads Carolina, Tails California” from her self-titled release. Four albums have followed along with five EPs, and Messina has racked up nine No. 1 singles including “Bye, Bye” and “Stand Beside Me.” She’ll be the first outdoor act of the season at the Snow Pond Center for the Arts.
Hootie & The Blowfish June 14. Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor, $56.25 to $211.95. waterfrontconcerts.com Thirty years ago, Hootie & The Blowfish released its debut album “Cracked Rear View” with hits like “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry” and “Only Wanna Be With You.” The album is a ’90s pop culture zeitgeist and won the band Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “Let Her Cry.” You can expect to hear all the hits along with tunes from the rest of the rock band’s catalog. Collective Soul and Edwin McCain, who also rose to fame in the ’90s, open the show.
See jam band Goose at Thompson’s Point on June 25 & 26. Photo by Daniel Prakopcyk
Goose June 25 & 26. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $59.95 in advance, $70 day of show, $119.50 two-day pass, $184.95 VIP, free for kids 3 and under. statetheatreportland.com Goose is a Connecticut-based rock and jam quintet that formed a decade ago and released its first album in 2016. The band has risen quickly up the ranks and has played venues like the Red Rocks amphitheater in Colorado and Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Goose’s latest album, released in February, is a three-hour live improv compilation called “Ted Tapes.” With two nights of shows at Thompson’s Point, fans can expect some epic, wandering jams.
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James Taylor & His All-Star Band June 30. Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor, $62.25 to $228. waterfrontconcerts.com Singer-songwriter James Taylor has countless iconic songs, and his first hit was from the 1970 album “Sweet Baby James.” “Fire and Rain,” about the death of a childhood friend of Taylor, reached the No. 3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and still elicits an emotional response from audiences when he performs it live. With six Grammy awards, 19 albums and 38 charted singles, we’ve all got a friend in Taylor.
Patty Griffin Photo by Michael Wilson
Patty Griffin July 17. Wilcox Main Stage at Prescott Park, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, $15. prescottpark.org Singer-songwriter Patty Griffin is a longtime resident of Austin, Texas, who was born and raised in Old Town, Maine. With 11 albums and a pair of Grammy Awards, Griffin continues to be a highly respected artist on the strength of songs like “Let Him Fly,” “One Big Love,” “Rain” and “Heavenly Day.”
The British Invasion July 20. Narrow Gauge Amphitheater, Farmington, $30. whistlestopconcertseries.com Here’s a chance to hear two Maine bands pay homage to two of the biggest British musical acts in one night. Based in Augusta, Yellow Brick Road – A Tribute to Elton John, fronted by singer and pianist Gerald Brann, will be playing all of the British pop star’s biggest hits. The spirit of Freddie Mercury will be present with Portland’s The Masterstroke Queen Experience, fronted by Sean Slaughter.
Hozier performing in Amsterdam, Nov. 28, 2023. Ben Houdijk/Shutterstock.com
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Hozier July 24. Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor, $55.95 to $122. waterfrontconcerts.com Irish singer-songwriter Hozier (Andrew John Hozier-Byrne) released his debut single in 2013. “Take Me to Church,” with more then 2.5 billion streams on Spotify, appeared on the U.S. Billboard charts seven times, including at No. 1 on the Adult Top 40 and Hot Rock & Alternative Song categories. Hozier has released three albums and is currently touring “Unreal Earth,” released last year.
The Flaming Lips July 25. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $49.50 in advance, $59.50 day of show. statetheatreportland.com The Flaming Lips is an alternative and psychedelic rock band that formed in 1983 and has a cult following. Fronted by Wayne Coyne, the band has an astounding 22-album discography. Alternative rock fans might remember the 1993 single “She Don’t Use Jelly” as well as popular tracks “Do You Realize,” and “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Vol. Pt.”
Elle King July 28. Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, Sidney, $39.50 general admission in advance, $45 day of show, $89.50 VIP in advance, $95 day of show. snowpond.org Blues and country-infused singer-songwriter Elle King collided with Billboard charts in a huge way in 2014 with the track “Ex’s & Oh’s.” Since then, King has released the albums “Shake the Spirit” and “Come Get Your Wife.” The latter peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard U.S. Top Country Albums chart. King’s latest single, released in April, is the country call and response rocker “Baby Daddy’s Weekend.”
Rock band Styx. Left to right: Todd Sucherman, Will Evankovich, Lawrence Gowan, James “JY” Young, Terry Gowan, Tommy Shaw and Chuck Panozzo. Photo courtesy of the artist
Foreigner and Styx Aug. 3. Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor, $44.10 to $399.95. waterfrontconcerts.com You can’t talk about music from the ’80s without mentioning the bands Foreigner and Styx. The tour is called Renegade & Juke Box Heroes, and the opener is John Waite who surely will be singing his 1984 hit “Missing You.” Some of Foreigner biggest hits are “Jukebox Hero,” Hot Blooded,” “Cold As Ice” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Styx is famous for “Come Sail Away,” “Too Much Time On My Hands,” “Babe” and “Mr. Roboto,” among others.
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The Smashing Pumpkins Aug. 4. Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor, $67.25 to $150.50. waterfrontconcerts.com In 2000, alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins was given a key to the city from then Portland Mayor Nicholas Mavodones. Fans flocked to Bull Moose on Middle Street to get autographs. This time around, the band, fronted by Billy Corgan, will be in Bangor as part of its The World Is a Vampire tour. From albums like “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” and “Siamese Dream,” some of the band’s best-known songs are “1979,” “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” and “Disarm.”
Guster. Photo by Alysse Gafkjen
Guster On The Ocean Aug. 10 & 11. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $110 to $290, $20 kids. statetheatreportland.com This is the sixth time alternative rock band Guster, featuring Mainer Adam Gardner, has presented its multi-day Guster On The Ocean shows. It starts on Aug. 9 at the State Theatre then heads to Thompson’s Point for two days of music. Every year, Guster invites other bands to be part of the weekend, and this year’s lineup features Grace Potter, Kevin Morby, Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Dip, Trousdale, Sunny War and The Wolff Sisters.
Lake Street Dive. Photo by Shervin Lainez
Lake Street Dive Aug. 17 & 18. Thompson’s Point, Portland, $55 in advance, $65 day of show, $104 two day pass, $180 VIP, free for kids 3 and under. statetheatreportland.com Pop/soul group Lake Street Dive celebrates its 20th anniversary with a pair of shows at Thompson’s Point. Fronted by vocalist Rachael Price, Lake Street Dive has played in Portland many times through the years including a few shows at One Longfellow Square in the early 2010s. The concerts are always a fun and festive experience. On both nights, fans will be treated to opening sets from singer and electrifying guitarist Celisse.
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Emily Saliers (left) and Amy Ray of Indigo Girls. Photo by Jeremy Cowart
Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge Aug. 18. Bowl in the Pines at Snow Pond Center for the Arts, Sidney, $99.50 general admission in advance, $105 day of show, $99.50 VIP in advance, $105 day of show. snowpond.org For the first time in both of their long careers, Indigo Girls (the duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers) and Melissa Etheridge are touring together. Indigo Girls’ debut album “Strange Fire” was released in 1987 and Etheridge followed a year later with hers. The Etheridge album went Platinum and a few years later she won a pair of Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance. In 1989, Indigo Girls won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album for their second album featuring the duo’s signature song “Closer to Fine.” Both acts have released numerous albums and have loyal followings.
Bret Michaels Sept. 1. Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor, $56.15 to $334.90. waterfrontconcerts.com It’s back to the ’80s and ’90s for Parti-Gras starring Bret Michaels from the rock and glam metal band Poison on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Warrant, Firehouse and Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) will also be slinging the hits during a night of music that starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends when the last bit of hairspray has been used up. It ain’t nothin’ but a good time in Bangor, even if every rose has its thorn.
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