Author Archives: Ret Talbot

About Ret Talbot

Ret Talbot is a freelance writer who covers fisheries at the intersection of science and sustainability. His work has appeared in publications such as National Geographic, Mongabay, Discover Magazine, Ocean Geographic and Coral Magazine. He lives on the coast of Maine with his wife, scientific illustrator Karen Talbot.

We Have the Data – Let’s Act on It

Posted on 31 March 2020

If you have been following along on my personal Facebook page, you know that I have continued to advocate for an all-in approach to COVID-19 here in Maine. A couple days ago, on the graph I generate daily and publish … Continue reading →

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What Does ‘Essential’ Mean During a Global Pandemic?

Posted on 25 March 2020

Yesterday Maine Governor Janet Mills issued an Executive Order “mandating that all non-essential businesses and operations in Maine close their physical locations that are public facing.” Understanding what is meant by an “essential business” during a global pandemic is something … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 – It’s Time to Pivot Maine

Posted on 23 March 2020

It’s time to do more. I had a conversation with a friend who still pops into get coffee at the local cafe on his morning walk. A local business that sells antiques in town remains open saying “We’ll respect your … Continue reading →

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Civil Disaster Declaration in Rockland

Posted on 18 March 2020

As I’ve done with the last two pieces I’ve penned about CORVID-19 and, more specifically, our response to it here in Maine and in my city of Rockland, I will reiterate at the top that I am not a medical … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 – Do the Right Thing…Now!

Posted on 17 March 2020

As I wrote a couple days ago, I am not a health expert, but as I watched aghast at local k-12 schools, museums, restaurants, etc. in Maine choosing to remain open despite really clear data showing the necessity for social … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 – What’s at Stake for Maine: One Virus Two Possible Outcomes

Posted on 14 March 2020

The current piecemeal, a la carte, wait-and-see approach to COVID-19 I’m seeing in my community and in Maine in general appears to be inconsistent with what we should have learned from the data. As a mountaineer, I can’t count the … Continue reading →

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Summer’s Not Over!

Posted on 10 September 2019

Thank you to all of you who have written notes to see if I’m okay. I am, and I know I’ve been absent from the blogosphere for a couple months. Summer is a time when my writing productivity usually drops … Continue reading →

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Maine is Running Out of Lobster Bait. Is Farmed Salmon the Answer?

Posted on 6 May 2019

The following is an excerpt from my most recent piece in National Geographic. Click here to read the full story. ROCKLAND, MAINE – People love lobster. For some, it’s nostalgic, eliciting memories of bygone days and summers in Maine. For … Continue reading →

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Seafood Expo North America 2019

Posted on 17 March 2019

Today is the first day of Seafood Expo North America 2019 (SENA19), and I’m headed to Boston for the show. For those of you unfamiliar with the event, it is largest seafood exposition in North America with thousands of buyers and … Continue reading →

Posted in CITES, Fishery Improvement Projects (FIP), Fishing Industry, Marine Stewardship Council | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Free Science Writing Workshop

Posted on 4 February 2019

As part of the 2019 Maine Science Festival, I will be teaching a Science Writing 101 Workshop on Saturday (16 March) from 11:30 to 1:30 in Bangor, Maine. Many scientists find it challenging and time-consuming to communicate in clear, simple … Continue reading →

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