Return of the Lobster Doctor: Joe Kunkel on Lobster Shell Disease

October 15, 2023

Curiosity and science collide in episode

In this episode, Peter Ravella and Tyler Buckingham welcome back Dr. Joseph Kunkel, Emeritus Professor at UMass Amherst and Research Professor at UNE Biddeford, to discuss the escalating concerns around lobster shell disease in the Gulf of Maine. Since his last appearance on the show in 2020—still one of our top 10 most-listened-to episodes—Joe has continued his groundbreaking research into this phenomenon. Tune in as he shares his latest findings, what this means for marine ecology, and how the lobster industry can navigate these turbulent waters. If you're interested in marine ecosystems or simply curious about the natural world, Joe's unique perspective, infectious curiosity, and excitement make this an episode that you won't want to miss. Listen now exclusively on ASPN!

Show Transcription
This transcription was generated by a computer. Please excuse any errors.
Peter Ravella & Tyler Buckingham

Peter and Tyler joined forces in 2015 and from the first meeting began discussing a project that would become Coastal News Today and the American Shoreline Podcast Network. At the time, Peter and Tyler were coastal consultants for Pete’s firm, PAR Consulting, LLC. In that role, they worked with coastal communities in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina, engaged in grant writing, coastal project development, shoreline erosion and land use planning, permitting, and financial planning for communities undertaking big beach restoration projects. Between and among their consulting tasks, they kept talking and kept building the idea of CNT & ASPN. In almost every arena they worked, public engagement played a central role. They spent thousands of hours talking with coastal stakeholders, like business owners, hotel operators, condo managers, watermen, property owners, enviros, surfers, and fishermen. They dived deep into the value, meaning, and responsibility for the American shoreline, segment-by-segment. Common threads emerged, themes were revealed, differences uncovered. There was a big conversation going on along the American shoreline! But, no place to have it. That's where CNT and ASPN were born.