Knowing a backshore beach’s structures — the deeps, shallows, and river-like troughs between the shore and the first sandbar — is as important to catching fish as knowing the tides, […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Of Flaky Fish and Future Storms
Warm waters in the Caribbean, bonito in the bay
The fish cannot seem to make up their minds about where they want to be for more than a day at a time. It looked like they were settling in […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
An Odd Pod off Nantucket and Rambunctious Dolphins in Provincetown
Fishing heats up with bass, schoolie-size tuna, and the first of the blues
I wrote last week that fishing being what it is, we could have a 180-degree turnaround from the slow showing of bass. Well, we did. Striped bass made a big […]
IMPOUNDED
Probate Judge Keeps Napi’s Estate Documents Out of Public Eye
Tierney denies motion to unseal records and impounds them for 20 years
BARNSTABLE — A judge in Barnstable County Probate and Family Court denied a motion filed by Independent reporter Sam Pollak to unseal documents related to the guardianship and conservatorship of […]
DEVELOPMENT
Mixed-Use Proposal on Route 6A Faces Hurdles
Orleans ZBA members say they like Klink’s plan but don’t think they can allow it
ORLEANS — Eastham developer Tim Klink is trying to make good on his promise to build a mixed-use project at 177 Route 6A. But his proposal includes below-grade apartments, which […]
TRANSPORTATION
CCRTA Set to Bring Cheap Rides to Outer Cape
SmartDART will start service for short local daytime trips on June 22
PROVINCETOWN — Christopher McGregor’s taxi business is braced for a tough season. He said he’s heard a new rideshare company is coming soon to the Outer Cape. The rumor is […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Old Thom Is Back
Bass fishing slows, flounder fishing is good; the future is hard to fathom
Striped bass fishing slowed this past week, as the fish seem to have moved out of the bay, and the few that are around are down on the ocean side […]
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Watching for Rebounds in Canada and Spain
Promising reports on Atlantic cod and bluefin tuna reach our shores
Striped bass fishing is heating up in the bay, and Billingsgate Shoals is the place to be. A few days ago there were a lot of bass off Wood End […]
BUG SEASON
Lobstermen and Scientists See a Fishery in Flux
This summer, watching for warming trends and easterly winds
PROVINCETOWN — This year, May 15 marked the beginning of the lobster fishing season on the Outer Cape. The fishery is not an insignificant one here. There are 42 fishermen […]
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Summertime and the Citizen Science Is Easy
Watching whales, tracking sharks, and tagging stripers
The summer season is officially upon us, and now is the time to enjoy all our marine environment has to offer. Whale watching has been fantastic, and people on board […]
DERELICTION
Provincetown Will Seek Receivership for ‘Napiville’
Board of health vote comes after years of ignored orders
PROVINCETOWN — After the managers of the seven-building, 12-unit residential complex at 25-27 Bradford St. known as Napiville did not meet the town’s deadline for making it safe to live […]
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Learning to Expect the Unexpected
Melting icebergs send colder, more acidic fresh water our way
The Provincetown waterfront is coming alive with the lifting of the bay-wide 10-knot speed limit. Our first high-speed ferries from Boston arrived this week. Our first cruise ship also came […]
DEVELOPMENT
Proposal for 14 Condos at 33 Conwell St. Draws Objections
Inclusion of affordable units could allow waivers; neighbors cite density and traffic worries
PROVINCETOWN — Developer Jay Abbiuso has proposed building a 14-unit condominium complex encompassing five buildings on what is now a vacant lot at 33 Conwell St. Because the proposal includes […]
FISHERIES
Fishermen Join Fight for Herring Trawler Rules
Push to save river herring may help protect the oceangoing species
The marine ecosystem around Cape Cod is built on the backs of Atlantic herring. These baitfish school in massive numbers, providing food for marine mammals, seabirds, and large fish like […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
The Whales Have Moved North, and the Stripers Are Here
Special speed rules to protect whales are lifted for the season
The bass are here, and the right whales are not. The whales left a week ago, and the latest aerial survey found no right whales in the area, so NOAA […]