THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER of the MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION Better Informed, Better Decisions November 2009 Vol 17, No. 10 Fishermen tangle Lobster industry examines with whales By Hanna Wheeler & Patrcie McCarron other bait sources By Michele Gryga The Maine Lobstermen’s Association the lobster industry A Cape Cod fi sherman has been is investigating the lobster industry’s bait snag a bigger piece of fi ned $500 for violating federal law situation in an effort to ease the upcom- the pogey catch? by disentangling a hump back whale ing bait crunch. Which areas of the caught in his fi shing gear in July 2008. The MLA is compiling available data on coast will struggle most Robert Eldridge, a 40-year-old the pogey (Atlantic menhaden), red fi sh, with bait shortages? fi sherman out of Chatham, MA, and herring fi sheries and other bait supplies And what amount of faced a potential $100,000 fi ne and in order to determine the likelihood of bait storage is available? a maximum of one year in jail if compensating for the cuts in herring quota “Once we pull the found guilty of violating the fed- (see “Bait shortages loom” in the October individual pieces togeth- eral Endangered Species Act and MLA newsletter). er we can paint a more the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Many unknowns exist. “It’s been inter- accurate picture of what Eldridge was reported to offi cials esting to talk to managers, scientists and our bait industry is and because he had an observer aboard industry members to get a handle on the what our alternatives are Herring stacked high at Winter Harbor his vessel at the time of the incident. situation. They have a pretty good idea of in the future,” said Mc- Co-op. Photo: Hanna Wheeler He accepted a plea deal on Septem- where the fi sh are coming from and what Carron. ber 30 with a reduced fi ne of $500. the fi sh are sold as, but they don’t know The MLA is con- ment of Marine Resources (DMR). As part of the deal, the National much beyond that,” said Patrice McCarron, ducting surveys of Maine lobstermen and Some of the preliminary fi ndings may Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- executive director of the MLA. bait dealers and compiling data from Na- seem obvious. Some are surprising. The For example, in 2008, nearly 190,000 mt tional Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), important thing, McCarron explained, is of pogies were landed along the Atlantic Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics See Whales on page 9 coast, but only 47,000 mt sold as bait. Can Program (ACCSP), and the Maine Depart- See Bait Source on page 4 O’Hara Lobster Bait Proud Sponsor of the MLA 207.594.0405 Canadian lobstermen aid package questioned

By Michele Gryga ed at least 50 percent of their total landed value in 2008 and that their gross value of lobster landings in 2009 Permit No. 65 Permit No. must have been at least $2,500.

U.S. Postage Paid Postage U.S. The Canadian government’s $15 million* in direct Canadian lobstermen are required to report their aid for the Canadian lobster industry calls into question landings to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Brunswick, ME 04011 Canada’s international treaty obligations with the US. (DFO). The DFO determines an applicant’s eligibility Under the North American Free Trade Agreement based on these records. In a September 30 article by (NAFTA), government subsidies generally are pro- Sou’Wester, a weekly Nova Scotia paper, Shea quantifi es hibited. In a CBC News broadcast, Federal Fisheries that of the approximately 9,700 lobster license holders Minister Gail Shea acknowledged that “providing Mari- roughly 3,000 lobstermen will qualify for some fi nancial times lobster fi shermen with subsidies in this time of relief under the program. low prices violates Canada’s trade agreement with the The STTM caps aid at $5,000 per license holder. An United States.” Yet Shea announced the aid package’s eligible license holder only may receive 75% of the dif- implementation on June 10 and its fi nalized eligibility re- ference between the gross value of his 2009 lobster land- quirements on September 22. ings and the gross value of his 2008 lobster landings, but $15 million is directly available to lobstermen only up to the $5,000 cap. The application period ends through Short-Term Transitional Measures (STTM). on January 31, 2010, with the last payment being mailed The $15 million is part of a larger $75 million aid pack- on March 31, 2010. age earmarked for the lobster industry. In addition to the $15 million in STTM, $50 million Aid is not available to all lobstermen. Only those that will be spent over fi ve years for Atlantic Lobster Sustain- meet strict criteria are eligible for the one-time payment. ability Measures (ALSM) to restructure the industry and Applicants must be license holders. Assistance is not create long-term sustainability projects. available to deckhands or crewmembers. The applicant $10 million will be spent on Community Adjustment must have held a valid lobster license in both 2008 and Funding (CAF) for lobster marketing, innovation, and 2009 and earned income from lobstering during both product development. A joint government-industry lob- years. Lobstermen must have made in 2009 less than or ster steering committee will oversee CAF’s funding and equal to $50,000 in gross landings. Applicants also must project development. have experienced at least a 25% decline in landed value The US’s and Canada’s fi sheries are closely integrated between 2008 and 2009. with high trades in live License holders must be “lobster dependent,” mean- lobsters from the US to ing that their lobster- landed value must have represent- See Canada aid on page 2 2 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION November 2009

Maine Lobstermen’s Association Steaming Ahead Advocating for a sustainable Th e number one question I’ve been potential to provide a small, local, source gard to the herring quota for next year lobsterlo resource getting from lobstermen about the an- of bait. and a fi nal resolution can only happen and the ticipated herring cuts is “why isn’t the And we continue to relate the eco- through better science. Th e MLA will fishermenf and MLA standing up and fi ghting for us?” nomic hardship this will cause our fi sher- continue to push for a new assessment. communitiesc that Th e sentiment is that we should just say men, our industry and our communities. Scientists must be confi dent in the infor- depend on it no, and tell everyone that we don’t ac- It is critical that the management mation driving management decisions. SinceS 1954 cept the proposed changes. community understand the signifi cance Th e sooner this happens, the sooner we I wish it were that easy! of shutting the valve on our primary can revisit the herring quotas. Of course I can assure you that the association is bait supply. Th e loss of such a large local there are no guarantees that a new assess- standing up for you on this issue. We’re source of bait will be devastating. Obvi- ment will yield diff erent results. Board of Directors doing our job of telling everyone that ously, when bait is not available, lobster- MLA is investigating the potential for ••• the proposed herring cuts will cripple men cannot fi sh. Bait shortages will be- other baits to make up for any losses in President: David Cousens our industry and threaten to put many come commonplace if this proposal goes herring supply. Th e lobster industry uses So. Th omason 207.594.7518 lobstermen out of business. Th e current forward. Bait supply will no longer be a lot of bait, and it will be diffi cult to 1st VP: Jack Merril proposals are not acceptable and do not local. Bait prices will shoot up. replace existing supply. We’ve already ab- Isleford 207.244.7884 pass the straight face test. Our delegation, led by Senator sorbed a loss of more than a half million 2nd VP: Brian McLain Cutting the quota in half in a fi shery Snowe, has been doing an amazing job bushels of herring through the quota cuts New Harbor 207.677.3377 that is not overfi shed just doesn’t make advocating of our industry. And they since 2006. We must also start to think Sec/Treasurer:Arnold Gamage, Jr. sense. continue to explore and pursue politi- about what we can do to help ourselves if So. Bristol 207.644.8110 We continue to meet with herring cal options in the hopes of turning this the herring supply is cut next year. industry representatives, strategize with around. So, try this exercise to help you un- Bob Baines, Spruce Head 596.0177 our delegation and attend meetings, yet So, why haven’t we gained any derstand how this issue could impact Shane Carter, Bar Harbor 288.0236 the proposal to reduce herring quotas re- ground? No one has questioned the se- your lobster business. Consider your an- Dwight Carver, Beals 497.2895 mains. verity of the impacts of the proposed ticipated gross revenue from lobstering Gerry Cushman, Port Clyde 372.6429 MLA is advocating that our current herring cuts on the lobster and herring this year. Subtract out your annual bait, Jim Dow, Bass Harbor, 288.9846 herring quotas, which we are still adjust- industries. Th e problem lies with the re- fuel, sternman and other basic operat- Jim Henderson, Camp Ellis, 282.0913 ing to, remain in place next year. Th is authorized Magnuson Act. ing costs. At $2.75 a pound, I’m guess- Sherm Hutchins, Deer Isle, 348.2718 will allow time for a new benchmark Congress reauthorized the Magnu- ing there’s not much left. Now try the Robert Ingalls, Bucks Harbor, 255.3418 assessment to be conducted. Scientists son Act to ensure that socio-economic same exercise, but double your bait bill. I Mark Jones, Boothbay, 633.6054 acknowledge the huge amount of uncer- considerations and politics do not sway know lobstermen believe in the free mar- Jason Joyce, Swan’s Island, 526.4109 tainty in the results of the current herring decisions related to science. Congress has ket and survival of the fi ttest, but how Tad Miller, Matinicus, 372.6941 assessment. Th at uncertainty has been designated the job of setting acceptable many lobster businesses are fi t enough to Mike Myrick, Cusing, 354.6077 used as the justifi cation to recommend catch limits to a committee of scientists survive this storm? Brad Parady, Kittery, 337.3141 slashing the herring quotas as a safeguard known as the Science and Statistical We will soon know what the 2010 Kristan Porter, Cutler, 259.3306 for the resource. Th ey are not required Committee (SSC). Th e law mandates quotas will be as the Council is sched- Lawrence R. Pye, Small Point, 389.1390 to consider the economic fallout result- that managers follow their recommenda- uled to vote on this November 17. I Willis Spear, Yarmouth, 846.9279 ing from their decision. And the lobster tion. So when the lobster industry argues promise you that the MLA will continue Jay Smith, Nobleboro, 563.5208 industry is left with severe economic im- that the recommended acceptable catch to this fi ght for more herring for next Craig Stewart, Long Island, 846.3158 pacts because the scientists have chosen level will cripple our industry, managers year and steady, aff ordable bait supply in Elliott Th omas, Yarmouth, 846.6201 Pat White, York, 363.6783 to be extremely cautious, just in case. may sympathize, but cannot reverse the the future, no matter how high the deck Donald Young, Cushing, 354.6404 Th e MLA is also advocating that decision made by scientists. is stacked against us. Jack Young, Vinalhaven, 863.4905 NMFS prioritize funding to improve the Unless the SSC changes their rec- science behind the assessment, especially ommendation, the manager’s hands are Staff the inshore stock component which we tied. Th ere is no fl exibility to navigate As always, stay safe ••• are so heavily dependent on for bait. through these gray areas. One question- on the water. Executive Director: And the MLA is supporting the develop- able decision snowballs into a crisis for Patrice McCarron ment of an experimental fi shery for red- the industry. Patrice McCarron is the Executive Di- 207.967.4555 fi sh in the Gulf of Maine which has the Th ere is a lot of uncertainty with re- rector of the MLA [email protected] Staff Attorney Michele Gryga 207.967.4555 Canada aid [email protected] Continued from pagee 1 Communications Coordinator: Hanna Wheeler Canada and high trades in live fi rms import 50-70% of the Canadian-caught lobsters. have pointed out that this is 207.975.7177 lobster and processed lobster US catch annually. Most of Government capitalization particularly important due to [email protected] product from Canada to the this goes to St. Lawrence may affect the market price the loss of net earnings re- US. Canada catches and pro- Gulf-based processing plants, of lobster in the future by in- sulting from the decrease in Th e MLA newsletter is published monthly. It cesses the majority of lob- augmenting their supply of creasing the price of the val- lobster prices and increase in is provided for free to all Maine lobstermen ster. In 2007, Canada landed raw material from local fi sh- ue added to the raw material. bait and fuel expenses. thanks to the support of newsletter sponsors. 95,843,764 pounds valued eries. The US also represents Despite the government’s Shea has echoed the fi sh- Th is month’s sponsor is O’Hara. at $562,433,000, accounting the largest market for Cana- aid, many Canadians criticize ermen’s lament in a recent re- for 55% of the overall land- dian lobster, taking 70-80% the STTM. Canadian lobster- port in the Sou’Wester, stat- Maine Lobstermen’s Association ings, while the US landed of Canada’s total lobster ex- men are particularly frustrat- ing that something needs to 21 Western Ave., #1 78,753,529 pounds valued at ports. ed with the program’s limiting be done regarding the differ- Kennebunk, ME 04043 $283,697,000 in US dollars. The ALSM and CAF do eligibility criteria and capped ence between expenses and [email protected] Canada boasts a large pro- not act as direct subsides but payments. Lobstermen argue revenue. This perhaps implies cessing industry into which they will bolster the Canadian that only a few will qualify as that the government may be www.mainelobstermen.org the US market feeds. The lobster industry as a whole. lobster dependent under the thinking of expanding the Canadian processing sector This money will capitalize, program. Few have made less program. However, Canada Our newsletter is now online! is comprised of over 500 restructure and promote Ca- than or equal to $50,000 in has not made any steps to buyers, 400 shippers, and nadian lobster. Project ideas gross landings in 2009. They either expand the STTM or about 40 processors. By way may include refurbishing also criticize the use of gross change its criteria. of comparison, the US has processing plants, opening landing values instead of net *all dollar fi gures are reported some 2,000 dealers (buyers/ new plants, increasing hold- landings values because rising in Canadian dollars except when shippers) and a handful of ing capacity, or further pro- expenses are not taken into otherwise indicated. processing plants. Canadian moting the “superiority” of consideration. Lobstermen November 2009 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 3

Stonington co-op still going strong

The Zone C Lobster Hatchery stud- Archerie Pickering has been a mem- By Hanna Wheeler ies the use of hatchery-reared lobsters ber of the co-op since 1960. He recalls a freezer at Co-op 2. Robbins says maxi- in the re-establishment of wild lobster how they used to put bait in drums and mum storage is only necessary for a few When one out of fi ve people on an populations. A 16-member Hatchery roll them. Now with plastic bait boxes months, though that might change if island have a lobster license, you’re going Steering Committee made up of fi sher- and fork lifts, “There’s not as much back- bait shortages become a reality. to need a big place to sell your lobsters. men from each district of Zone C helps breaking work,” he said. He says the Access to bait is just one of the The Stonington Lobster Co-op is one to guide the direction of the hatchery. installation of the conveyor system be- challenges the co-op is facing. Robbins of the biggest lobster co-ops in the state. Robbins says the hatchery and the tween eight and ten years ago made load- rattled off a list including the economy, Its 100 members, two locations and 10 co-op share a benefi cial relationship. It ing lobster and bait a lot faster. Before, herring management and gear restric- seasonal workers (fi ve year-round em- attracts retail customers to the co-op. they had to hoist one crate at a time. The tions. “It’s unprecedented,” he said. ployees) keep co-op manager Steve Rob- It also helps maintain a healthy lobster bottom of the wooden crates would fall “These guys feel like they’re getting hit bins pretty busy. Despite the long hours, resource. “Customers like the idea of out, he said. They put bait in washtubs with a hammer over and over.” Robbins says he really values the job. “I sustainability and fi shermen like the idea instead of stainless steel bait boxes and He worries that it’s getting harder for like helping people,” he said. of ownership of the resource. It’s about they didn’t have electronics on the boats. lobstermen to stay in business. Luckily, He must be doing something right. stewardship,” Robbins said. “It’s been quite a change,” he said. he said, the co-op has a solid core of Co-op membership is strong and grow- The Stonington co-op is one of the Pickering used to drive a truck for the dedicated members. “They put a lot of ing. The co-op is also expanding its small oldest in the state. Established in 1948, co-op, delivering lobster and groundfi sh work into it and a lot of their time. They but successful retail trade. They have ad- its membership is multi-generational once a week to Ipswich, Massachusetts. own it. As long as they want the co-op to vertised their retail sales through televi- with some instances of great-grandfa- He said the co-op got out of the ground- be, it will be,” he said. sion and print ads both locally and region- thers, grandfathers, fathers and sons all fi sh business because the overhead got to Robbins is pretty dedicated himself. ally. And they plan to set up another retail boasting co-op membership. be too high and the fi sh too scarce. Co-op “This is where I grew up. Ninety percent sales section at the co-op’s second location. Co-op 1 on Indian Point Road is the members also used to drag for mussels. of the people I’m in contact with every The majority of the co-op’s sales are original buying station and site of the The co-op is looking towards in- day, I’ve known my whole life. You really through wholesale markets, but Robbins co-op’s headquarters. Several years after creasing its bait storage. Right now, it can’t ask for a better situation.” said he sees value in retail sales. Retail the co-op’s establishment, another wharf has a cooler at Co-op 1 and a cooler and customers pay a higher price, and Rob- came on the market. Co-op members de- bins has observed a growing demand for cided to purchase it and dubbed it Co-op purchasing directly from the lobstermen. 2. Robbins commends the foresight of “Customers like the idea of a busi- those early co-op members. “You could ness owned and operated by fi shermen,” not service the number of boats that we said Robbins. “The bottom line is more do from just one facility,” he said. money to the fi shermen.” Another far-sighted move by co-op Having the Zone C Lobster Hatchery members included in the installation of next door has helped the co-op’s retail hydraulic conveyor systems at both fa- sales. “It generates a lot of foot traffi c,” cilities. George Trundy, the former man- said Robbins. “We’ve had people from ager of the co-op, designed and con- all over the world.” structed the co-op’s conveyor systems. The lobster hatchery was established The conveyor system eliminates a in 2005 by the Stonington Lobster Co- lot of time-consuming labor that other- op, Zone C Lobster Council, the Ston- wise would be done with a hoist or by ington Fisheries Alliance and the Pe- hand. “It’s well-thought out and well- nobscot East Resource Center (PERC). constructed,” Robbins said. Other deal- Before that, the co-op ran a small, vol- ers have looked at Stonington’s conveyor unteer-run hatchery during the 1980’s. system as an example, he said.

PHOTOS BY HANNA WHEELER 4 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION November 2009 Lobstering life on Little Cranberry By Hanna Wheeler Living on Little Cranberry, population 2009. “I’m parting 77, is not for everybody, Howland said. gear off left and Conversations with Richard Howland Howland joked that, “There are three ways right. I traded in of Little Cranberry Island can bounce to get a woman to break up with you: tat- rope and I did the from one subject to another. But hang too her name on you, name a boat after best I could, but on for the ride because what he has to her, or move her out to Ilesford.” we’re getting a lot say is insightful, heartfelt and hilarious. Howland gives back to the community of pressure.” Howland himself is a mosaic of whenever he can. He has been Constable Lobstermen seemingly contradictory traits. He lives of the town Cranberry Isles (which in- have been left out in Ilesford on Little Cranberry—a tiny cludes Little Cranberry, Great Cranberry of the rule-making “I love that boat; I’ve got a connection to it.” --Richard island about three-quarters the size of and Sutton) since the age of 22. process, explained Howland Photo: Richard Howland the University of Maine’s Orono cam- “I’m the perfect man for the job,” he Howland. “I’ve pus—yet he has traveled around the joked. “There aren’t a lot of younger guys been to quite a few go harder than hell. We just love going,” world including parts of South America. around here.” Besides, he continued, “the meetings; they just seem like a formal- said Howland. He didn’t come from a fi shing family island runs itself.” ity,” he said. Howland would like to see lobster- but he worked his way up to become one Then, in all seriousness, he explained Howland thinks fi shermen have men band together more though the in- of the island’s top fi shermen. that, “You’ve got to approach it right.” falsely been made out to be villains. “We dependent nature of lobstermen makes And he started out as a high school “When it comes to crunch time, I’m make our living from the ocean,” he this diffi cult. “At the end of the day, it’s drop-out but is now a respected com- good at handling those situations,” he said. said. “We don’t want to mess it up.” up to the lobstermen to create their own munity member with key responsibilities When asked about the biggest issues Finally, lobstermen are contending with fate,” he said. including president of the Cranberry facing young lobstermen, Howland rattled low prices for their lobster. “The people Right now is an especially busy time Isles fi shermen’s co-op and Constable off a list. with a family and a big boat payment are for Maine’s lobstermen. “I’m on the for the town of Cranberry Isles. “The bait situation; we’re going to be scraping by,” said Howland. Lobstermen boat for 14 to 15 hours a day. This is Howland, age 26, fi shes with Scor- faced with the costs,” he said. “During don’t have a voice in setting the price of when you make your money,” said How- pio’s Lady, a 42-foot Bruno and Stillman. those boom years, when I got into the in- lobster, Howland explained. “I can’t think land. “I always get happy this time of The boat is the same boat he worked on dustry, we got used to using tons of bait.” of many other situations where you bring year,” he added. for four years as a sternman beginning He is skeptical of switching to a differ- the product in and you get told what you’re Howland said he likes what he does when he was 14. “I love that boat; I’ve ent bait fi sh. “Herring is what we need. It’s going to get for it,” he said. because it is independent, self-disci- got a connection to it,” he said. my recipe,” he said. Howland said he tells Despite the struggles, lobstermen plined, and traditional. “There’s a feeling He started lobstering with a student his crew that making a bait bag and taking keep going out, in part because they love of pride just being behind the wheel. And license when he was 11. When he was care of the lobster product are the most what they do. “We keep working. We’ll the harder you work, the better you do.” 14, he dropped out of high school. The important things they can do on a boat. high school principal, who lived on Lobstermen will also face increasing Great Cranberry, helped Howland fi nd fuel costs. “We fi sh with diesel engines; an alternative high school program that we need fuel.” Though fuel costs have would allow him to get his degree while fallen compared to 2008’s spike, How- continuing to lobster. “I owe a lot to land says he wouldn’t be surprised to see him,” Howland said. fuel prices climb back up again. “We’re After a full day of sterning, Howland helpless without fuel,” he said. He said would then haul his own traps. When he he was glad he’d gone with a smaller, was 18, he decided to go out on his own. more fuel-effi cient engine for his boat. He bought a 36-foot boat and progres- Many problems, he said, stem from sively worked his way up over the years the increasing number of regulations to 800 traps. It was time to get a bigger intended to protect endangered North boat and the Scorpio’s Lady just hap- American right whales or to protect the pened to be for sale. Buying the boat Atlantic Herring stock. from his former captain and mentor Howland still sees a lot of day-to-day “was an emotional moment for both of struggles with the sinking groundline us.” It was Howland’s 23rd birthday. requirement that went into effect April

Continued from page 1 herring by local vessels which offl oad fi sh in port. A Bait Sources lack of available fi sh from the inshore area would re- having it all together in Tailored financing sult in a severe bait shortage for many remote com- specifically for one place. munities along the Maine coast. your needs. “We need to know what’s going on so we can mea- Downeast fi shermen are more dependent on her- sure the impact if we lose a lot of herring,” she said. New Boat Construction ring from the Canadian weir fi shery due to their prox- Used Boat Loans “How much are we going to lose and what can we re- Traps & Gear Loans imity to that supply source. Supplies from the weir Refinancing & Repowering place it with? We are fi ghting hard not to lose those fi sh, fi shery fl uctuate due to the changing behavior of the but there are no guarantees. We need to be prepared.” For All Your Marine schools of fi sh and the fi xed nature of the weir fi shery. Financing Needs Bait shortages will negatively impact coastal com- Contact Jim Amabile For example the weir fi shery landed more than 30,000 1-800-974-9995 munities and could have statewide and national re- metric tons in 2007 but only 6,000 metric tons in 2008. percussions because of the signifi cance of the Maine The price of herring has crept up steadily. Accord- lobster industry. ing to Maine DMR, in 2006, the average boat price In 2008, the Maine lobster industry was worth of herring was $0.11 per pound. In 2008, it was $0.13 roughly $240 million and accounted for 79 percent per pound. Considering that the Maine lobster indus- of US lobster landings. Prior to the recession, lobster

try goes through more than 132 million pounds of A Katahdin Trust Company Affiliate landings were valued at over $300 million. herring a year, that’s a signifi cant increase. Lobstermen 15 Pleasant Hill Road Maine issued 5,538 commercial lobster licenses. Scarborough, Maine 04074 pay above the boat price for bait. MLA price report Nearly half (48 percent) of active lobstermen are in data indicates that lobstermen paid about $0.28 per Downeast Maine (Zones A, B, C), 30 percent are in pound of herring in 2008. Midcoast Maine (Zones D, E) and 22 percent are in As the price for herring increased, lobstermen used Southern Maine (Zones F, G). less of it by reducing the amount of bait used per haul Herring provides the bulk of the Maine lobster in- and by substituting other bait fi sh. dustry’s bait—about 70 percent. In 2006, lobstermen used 2.5 pounds of herring Maine’s bait dealers mostly depend upon local per trap haul. In 2008, they used 2.1 pounds. herring from the inshore area (Area 1A). Many small Besides herring, pogies communities, such as Port Clyde , are supplied fresh are the most frequently-used Continued on page 9 November 2009 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 5 Th e power of organizations

By Julianne Curry, Petersburg, Alaska fi shing industry. Having a good organization on your side is often the best defense in protecting your busi- PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JULIANNE CURRY There is something to be said for strength in num- ness, and chances are there is a group out there that bers. As commercial fi shermen, we have all witnessed represents your fi shery (or fi sheries) and interests. the effects of regulations and policy-making. Some There are four basic types of organizations: na- good, some bad, some just plain ugly. tional, umbrella, local, and gear groups. National orga- We have all also witnessed “that guy” down at the nizations, such as Commercial Fishermen of America docks or at the coffee shop complaining about regula- (www.cfafi sh.org), tackle issues facing the commercial tions and policy-making. fi shing industry in a broad manner. Because national Ironically, the people who do the most complaining organizations have a diverse membership, they can are usually the least involved in the regulatory process. advocate for larger issues like health care for fi shing When stopped on the street by one of the uninvolved families and educating the public on the role of the complainers, the fi rst thing I ask is if they have joined fi shing industry. an organization or group that represents their interests; Umbrella organizations, such as United Fishermen unfortunately, the most common answer is no. of Alaska (www.ufa-fi sh.org), typically represent a col- Commercial fi shing organizations are some of the laboration of groups and individuals working toward most infl uential forces in guiding regulations and policy. a common goal. UFA represents 37 Alaska commer- cial fi shing organizations and 375 individual members Julianne holds two black cod caught off the Southeast Alaska coast. from fi sheries throughout Alaska and its offshore wa- Concerned fi shermen usually serve on the board of Supporting an active organization ters. Umbrella groups that work on a majority or con- directors, so consider getting involved and volunteer- can mean the diff erence between sensus basis can be very effective on issues that affect ing for a seat if you are looking for change within an a wide range of fi sheries or communities, but they may organization. your fi shing business surviving and not be focused on specifi c or local issues. it being regulated to death. Keep in mind that not everyone within a group will agree, and you Supporting an active organization can mean the dif- Guest Column ference between your fi shing business surviving and it won’t always get what you want. being regulated to death. Organizations monitor and Thinking of not joining an organization because participate in the regulatory process on your behalf, al- Local organizations, such as the Petersburg Vessel you can’t afford it? lowing fi shermen to spend more time doing what they Owners Association (www.pvoaonline.org), represent Most organizations have different membership lev- do best: fi shing. community-based interests and typically advocate for els to fi t your budget. Consider if your fi shing business Many organizations are run by a director who the health of various fi sheries and coastal communi- could be better off with the support of a respected spends countless hours communicating, fact check- ties. The membership of the Petersburg association re- group that infl uences policy and regulation with hard ing, building relationships, and attending meetings fl ects the diversity of the fi shing fl eet in Southeast Alaska, work and passion for the issues. Better yet, consider to ensure the needs of the membership are met and including seiners, gillnetters, trollers, longlinters, and crab- if your fi shing business is already benefi ting from the fi sheries are protected. Information is gathered and bers. actions of organizations—but you just haven’t joined distributed to keep members up to date on current leg- Gear groups tend to be fi shery specifi c and can yet. islation, issues being addressed at the regional manage- range from the largest trawlers to the smallest trollers. ment councils, and actions discussed at the state level. These groups are effective with allocative matters and Julianne Curry fi shes in Southeast Alaska. She is director While you are fi shing, public policy continues re- provide the critical role of bringing issues to umbrella of the Petersburg Vessel Owners Association, subsistence chair quiring eyes, ears, and a voice to represent you and organizations to enlist broader support. for the United Fishermen of Alaska and serves on the board your livelihood. Organizations can provide a lifeline Find an organization that represents your interests of directors of the Halibut Coalition and Petersburg Marine for your fi shing business through information and rep- by talking to fi shermen you trust, attending a meeting, Mammal Center. resentation. visiting the website, meeting the director, and reading Commercial fi shermen are facing adversity from all the mission statement to fi gure out where your ideals This letter originally appeared in the October issue of Na- directions. Environmental groups, the global economy, and ideas fi t. tional Fisherman. It is reprinted here with permission. allocation battles, safety concerns, media misinforma- Keep in mind that not everyone within a group tion, sportfi shing interests, and politics all threaten the will agree, and you won’t always get what you want. Maine narrows search for wind energy demonstration sites just seven square miles, each ranging The Maine Department of Conserva- In each of the four draft sites, a energy technology. from one to two square miles.” tion (DOC) has selected four small areas in commercial developer would be limited Four small portions of the planning Kathleen Leyden, director of the state waters along the Maine coast that could to testing a maximum of two deep wa- areas off Boon Island, Damariscove Is- Maine Coastal Program at the State serve as demonstration areas for testing new ter, offshore wind turbines, and could land, Monhegan Island and Cutler have Planning Offi ce, is responsible for work- offshore wind energy technologies. also host demonstrations of new wave been identifi ed as candidates to host offshore wind energy demonstration ing with various stakeholders to ensure projects, including the one for which a healthy coast and vibrant coastal com- the University of Maine recently re- munities. She said the extensive out- ceived an $8 million grant from the U.S. reach process this summer and fall en- Department of Energy. The draft sites abled designation of the four draft sites announced today comprise only a small to be done as collaboratively as possible. area within the original and much larger “We were well aware before we even areas identifi ed earlier this summer. started that Maine’s coastal waters are “Since July we’ve had almost twenty a heavily used resource, by fi shermen, intensive meetings with stakeholders, birds, marine mammals, sailors, you seeking detailed feedback, said Robert name it, the list goes on,” Leyden said. Marvinney, state geologist. Legislation passed unanimously in “We got the feedback. Public par- June mandates that the Department of ticipation has been outstanding, and us- Conservation and the State Planning Of- ing information from fi shermen, boat- fi ce work together to identify between ers, fi sh and wildlife biologists and other one and fi ve demonstration sites for stakeholders, we designed an objective offshore wind in Maine’s coastal waters. ranking system. That enabled us to nar- The sites will serve as locations for the row things down, and preliminarily se- testing of all the compo- lect four much smaller areas that total See Wind on page 15 6 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION November 2009

PHOTO: ZACK BOWEN

Reconsider the lobster

By Mark Andrew Boyer and maximum—of lobsters that can be sold and traps are required to have escape What could be more simple than fi sh- valves that enable lobsters at the low end ing? You catch what nature provides, and of the size requirement to escape. toss back what you don’t need. At least A major concern in keeping lobster that’s the way it was until every 7-Eleven trapping sustainable is the sheer number and gas station mini-mart started selling of traps on the ocean fl oor. Lobster- spicy tuna rolls, and scientists observed men can set up to 800 traps, and each that the oceans were overfi shed and gut- year thousands of lobster traps are lost, ted of our favorite species. Now, a trip leaving the ocean fl oor littered with what to the fi sh counter at the supermarket is are known as “ghost traps.” In 1990, a riddled with complexity. law was passed requiring all traps to be If you want to understand where equipped with a biodegradable “ghost your food comes from, you have to go panel,” enabling trapped lobsters to even- beyond the supermarket, and go straight tually escape from lost traps, but that only to the source. With that premise, Doro- solves part of the problem. More recent- thée Royal-Hedinger (the host) and I (the ly, a group of scientists conducted an ex- cameraman) launched OrganicNation.tv periment on Monhegan Island that could in April, and we set out on a nationwide ultimately help clean up the ocean fl oor. road trip, documenting the sustainable According to Babb, “They used half as food movement in a series of three- to many traps, and they went out and caught fi ve-minute videos. On the East Coast almost the same amount in the fi rst year.” Tour, which wrapped up about a week Cutting down the number of active traps ago, we headed out to the wharves of would also reduce the number of end Maine to fi nd out how lobster fi shing can lines—the ropes which connect the traps be sustainable, both for the oceans and to the buoys—in the water. According to the fi shermen. a recent Boston Globe story, 323 whales The diffi culty with making the deci- became entangled in fi shing gear between sion to buy lobster—or any seafood—is 1997 and 2007. that the USDA doesn’t have an across- On the other side of the equation, the-board certifi cation for seafood telling the fi shermen are suffering, and there consumers what fi sh has been raised and are fewer plans in place to help ensure harvested sustainably, as it does for land- their survival. Not only is the price per based food. The next best option is to pound of lobster incredibly low, but sci- check the seafood advisory lists, which entists are urging the state to reduce the can be pretty confusing too. For exam- region’s herring catch limit by more than ple, the Environmental Defense Fund half. Herring is the primary bait used by says that Maine lobster is “ECO-OK” lobstermen. While limiting the catch will and Seafood Watch calls Maine lobster a be great for the environment, it will drive “good alternative,” but the The Marine up the price of bait, adding to the diffi - Conservation Society gives lobster its culties faced by fi shermen. worst rating (fi ve out of fi ve), warning of Although the Maine coast looks a lot overfi shing. different than some of the other places We found some answers at the Com- we’ve covered with the OrganicNation.tv mon Ground Country Fair, where we project, the lobster industry shares some caught up with lobster fi sherman Ty major similarities with other parts of the Babb, whose blazing red hair and rud- food landscape. The challenge, both on dy cheeks resemble the crustaceans he land and in the ocean, is to produce food hunts. After some banter, Babb smacked using limited resources and causing the a lobster trap on the ground between us least harmful impact. The lobster indus- and started explaining what “sustainabil- try in Maine is making major strides to- ity” means to his operation. According to wards reaching both of those goals. If Babb, lobster is fi shed sustainably when you’re feeling indecisive at the seafood fi shermen ensure that healthy popula- counter, Maine lobster is a selection you tions are maintained by not harvest- can make with pretty clear conscience. ing too many lobsters at once. Lobster Mark Andrew Boyer is one half of the team populations are indeed on the rise, an ac- at OrganicNation.tv, a project that explores the complishment that should be attributed landscape of American sustainable food. to both fi shermen and regulators. State This article originally appeared in GOOD laws restrict the size—both minimum Magazine. It is reprinted here with permission. November 2009 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 7 For the love of fi shermen By Monique Coombs cracked, feet are put up and the stories, his day at 4 o’clock in the morning. He hardships, jokes and travels of the week sits downstairs and enjoys a cup of cof- MONIQUE COOMBS On a typical Friday or Saturday eve- are shared. Inevitably, conversations of fee while he checks the weather. If the ning I can be found on Bailey Island at fi shing, boat prices, fuel, busted reverse weather looks good, and even some- a very special place called happy hour. gears and the good ol’ days ensue. times when it doesn’t look so good, he It’s not a typical happy hour in a bar There is usually a dog or two running puts on his boots and grabs his lunch with quarter draughts, stools and a bar- about at happy hour and as I mentioned box and out the door he goes. I al- tender. This happy hour exists at a pri- my daughter comes and is usually riding ways listen for his truck to start and can vate shop with an old VW bug, a back- her bike or playing with her Barbies that hear him leave the driveway and make hoe, an occasional boat, lots of tools, a we leave there for her. My son, hope- his way down the road to his boat. I couple of refrigerators and a bunch of fully, sleeps in his car seat and if we are wake up not-too-much later with our chairs for anyone who happens to stop lucky someone brings snacks: smoked new baby boy and start my day. I keep Lobstering, fi shing, is tougher than by. There are a few regulars and I am fi sh, crabmeat dip or Helluva Good an eye on the weather as well to gauge ever right now. Low boat prices, new proud to say I am one of them. French Onion dip! how worried I need to be about him regulations, lack of money to fi x the Starting around three on Friday after- that day, make some breakfast, get the It’s these guys at happy boat, fear of rising bait costs and little noons my 4-year old daughter starts to kids ready to go, and it’s out the door hope for the future make it a more try- ask when it will be time to go to happy hour, my husband included to work, errands and preschool. This is ing time than ever. But, fi shermen go hour. Not a typical request for a 4-year my favorite time of year because I love of course, that make me fi shing because that’s what they do and old, I know, but I’ll get to that. I start to see the leaves change and feel the air despite low costs or high costs they still to pack a bag with her snacks, a bottle proud to be a part of a get cool and crisp but it is a bittersweet have to go. That separates the fi shermen of juice, a bottle for her baby brother time of year because I also know that fi shing family and a from other men: an undying dedication and a few other things. We get in the car soon instead of coming home late in the and passion for their work, their hard around four and drive across the bridge fi shing community. afternoon my husband will be coming work. It is not just a job it is a way of to our Friday meeting place. The work- home late in the evening. In an attempt life. Character is the way that you act in day is winding down at the shop and It was at this place called happy hour to get a bigger and better catch he will a diffi cult situation, not an easy one, and the couple of people that are there are when a good friend of mine told me that go further off shore. And I worry now right now I think fi shermen are show- taking a seat in the white plastic chairs it takes a special woman to be married to too because I’m afraid that his risks will ing great character. And that makes me that are strewn about the shop. Beers are a fi sherman. I told him that I couldn’t be greater in an attempt to make up for imagine being married such low boat prices. proud to be a fi sherman’s wife. to someone that wasn’t I make dinner every night and we sit On Saturday we do it all over again a fi sherman. down at the table to eat as family. On just a little bit earlier. We head to happy It’s these guys at hap- nights he is out fi shing I listen constantly hour about three for some more de- py hour, my husband for the same sound I heard that morning served rest, relaxation and good friends. included of course, that but this time it is for my husband’s truck Fishing always takes precedence and make me proud to be a to enter our driveway and stop. Even sometimes someone doesn’t come be- part of a fi shing family on the nights he is late I sit down with cause they are out fi shing but everyone and a fi shing communi- our daughter and ask her about her day. knows they’ll see them the next week ty. They work hard, they I try to keep his meal warm for him be- and hear about whatever fi shing fi asco take pride in their work, cause I know he appreciates that when they got themselves into. they love their work he gets home the way I appreciate him (most of the time!), and for going out to work hard for his fam- Monique and her husband, Herman, live they show character and ily. When he gets home I sit with him on Orr’s Island with their two children, Riley insight that I fi nd un- and ask him about his day and I listen and Jocelyne. Read her blog at lobstersonthefl y. common these days. even though sometimes I have no idea blogspot.com She also published a lobster cook- My husband starts what he is talking about and what he is book, titled Lobsters on the Fly, which can saying makes me nervous. be purchased from her website. Jocelyne helps her dad with the traps. Photo: Monique Coombs Still trying to solve the shrinkage mystery By Hanna Wheeler pothesis. His study would match local Pound Owners Associa- lobstermen with aeration systems de- tion, agrees that lobster pounds could be an asset. Twenty year ago, lobstermen and signed for high volumes. The Downeast “If shrinkage could be dealers relied on lobster pounds to store Institute owns two working tidal lob- solved, the pounds would their product and help increase their ster pounds which Beal would use to come back,” he said. The profi ts. Today, high rates of lobster die- study the effects of lobster handling on Association disbanded off (shrinkage) make pounds a money- shrinkage rates. last year due to the num- losing venture. Dr. Brian Beal, director So far, Beal has not found funding for ber of pounds going out of research at the Downeast Institute on the study but he is certain that the study of business. While Hodg- Beals Island, wants to fi nd out why pounds would be useful to the lobster industry. kins seems wistful about aren’t working like they used to work. “About 90 percent of the lobster the closure of so many “The shrinkage rate is four to fi ve pounds in Maine aren’t being used to- pounds, he’s not giving up. times higher than it was 20 years ago,” day but they were 20 years ago,” said Hodgkins still collaborates said Beal. “Why is that? What’s going on Beal. “There’s potential to create eco- with University of Maine in our pounds?” nomic opportunities.” researchers to “try to solve PHOTO: DOWNEAST INSTITUTE Beal’s hypothesis is that lobsters are Lobster pounds diversify the lobster the mystery.” handled differently due to today’s much industry, said Beal. He referenced last Beal says he recognizes higher catch rates. Higher catch rates year’s drop in lobster prices as an exam- Downeast Institute has two lobster pounds available for research. that his is just one hypoth- speed up the physical handling of lob- ple. “What choices did fi shermen and esis and it could be wrong. The mission of the Downeast In- sters on the boat—potentially damaging dealers have? They could try to market But, he says, “this one seems practical stitute is to improve the quality of life the lobsters. them to the general public or sell them and fairly easy to test.” for the people of downeast and coastal Beal is most concerned with the to Canada to process.” While Beal quests for funding, Maine through applied marine research, storage of lobsters on the boat. Many “Pounds have been ignored,” said the Downeast Institute is renting the technology transfer, and public marine lobster boat tanks have aeration sys- Beal. “If they were part of the equa- pounds to two local families. Beal says resource education. tems that aren’t designed to hold large tion, it would provide another option he is pleased that lobstermen are “using Formerly known as the Beals Is- catches over a long number of hours, he for fi shermen or dealers.” the pounds the way they were intended land Regional Shellfi sh Hatchery, the explained. Herbert Hodgkins, former presi- to be used.” Downeast Institute has studied and ap- Beal is seeking funding to test his hy- dent of the now disbanded Maine plied shellfi sh research for 19 years. 8 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION November 2009 Lobster license plates By Hanna Wheeler the Board must have members repre- plicants could request up to $50,000 to trap surveys and the lobster settlement senting different factions of the lob- study one of the three topics. index. Federal funding cuts had threat- rive around any coastal commu- ster industry, including “a statewide as- The two priorities for development ened the future of these programs. Dnity and most of the license plates sociation representing the interests of were analyzing the bait industry and re- Wanting to further the efforts of you will see are lobster specialty plates. persons who harvest lobster commer- searching consumers’ buying habits and the Governor’s Task Force on the Eco- With a boiled red lobster in the fore- cially,” an “association representing the their seafood preferences. nomic sustainability of Maine Lobster ground and a wharf and buoys in the interests of persons who harvest lobster The Board’s single priority for educa- Industry, the RED Board approved the background, the lobster plate is a badge commercially in Washington and Han- tion was the creation of a program that release of up to $300,000 to implement of pride for many of Maine’s lobstermen cock counties” and a “southern Maine could help interested lobstermen learn the recommendations of the task force. and lobstering community members. association representing the interests of business management skills. Within that $300,000 is $40,000 for in- Lobster plates are $20 above and be- persons who harvest The Board ap- state advertising and $260,000 for adver- yond the regular registration fee. Where lobster commercial- proved three proposals. tising and research projects. A transition does that extra money go? ly.” The statutes also Dr. Deborah Bouchard team of the Task Force will oversee the In 2008, sales of the lobster plates require representa- at the University of use of the funds. generated $403,195. That’s up from tion from the Maine Maine received $45,609 GMRI has posted its LobsterBiz ma- 2007’s total of $390,530. The Secretary Lobster Promotion to study lobster stress- terials on their website (gmri.org under of State’s offi ce receives a portion of the Council, the Lobster ors. Dr. Ian Bricknell “community”). Though they originally sales to cover administrative costs. The Advisory Council, at the University of planned to have only one LobsterBiz remainder—roughly $250,000 a year— dealers, processors Maine received $42,181 workshop, they were able to leverage goes to what is dubbed the RED Fund. and pound owners. to study health risks of different lobster funding from other sources in order to RED stands for Research Educa- The Board sets priorities for funding. baits. The Gulf of Maine Research In- have another workshop later in the win- tion and Development. When the lob- The most recent round of proposals stitute (GMRI) received $49,865 to or- ter. Call 228-1645. ster license plate was created in 2002, were due in February 2008. ganize LobsterBiz workshops and help The two research projects funded by the Maine State Legislature formed the The Board set three priorities for re- lobstermen with fi nancial planning. the RED Fund are slated to conclude by RED Fund within the Maine Depart- search: examining the impact of alterna- No development proposals were funded. the end of October. However, they may ment of Marine Resources (DMR). The tive bait, studying how substances such Also, the Board approved $250,000 request an extension. DMR Commissioner appoints members as pesticides and contaminants affect to fund DMR lobster research and mon- of the RED Board to oversee the fund. lobster health, and identifying stressors itoring programs including the sea sam- According to Maine state statutes, on lobsters during their handling. Ap- pling program, port sampling, ventless

Continued from page 4 fi shery, while bait landings from New bait fi sh. In 2006, pogies made up only Jersey to Maine are sold to the lobster seven percent of the bait used by lobster- fi shery. Landings from the South Atlan- tic are sold to crab and sports fi shermen. HYDRO-SLAVE men. That fi gure climbed to 19 percent SAME DAY SERVICE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT by 2008. Pogies sold as bait increased by Small amounts of pogies have been sold 89 percent from 2006 to 2008 while the to Gulf States for use in crab and craw- amount of herring sold as bait decreased fi sh fi sheries while some have been sold “THINKING OF BUILDING A NEW BOAT?” LET US QUOTE YOU ON A POWER STEERING OR A POT HAULER. by 47 percent. to African countries as food. If demand for pogey bait increases, Lobstermen also consider red fi sh as HAULERS AVAILABLE 8” TO 17” an effective bait though they rank it third more effort will be put on this fi shery. • ALUMINUM BACKPLATE in preference mostly because of its price However, the pogeyfi shery is is largely a • POLISHED STAINLESS BACKPLATE • ALL STAINLESS HARDWARE and availability. In 2008, lobstermen paid coastal fi shery(state waters) meaning the an average of $0.60 per pound of red larger vessels are likely to serve as car- POWER STEERING AVAILABLE IN 5 CLASSES fi sh—about double the price of herring. riers for the smaller seine boats. If the • UP TO 120 FEET fi sh concentrate in nearshore waters, the • STAINLESS QUADRANT ASSEMBLIES Sources of local redfi sh are very lim- • STAINLESS HELMS ited with total US landings in 2008 less larger vessels are likely to engage in the than 1,100 mt (compared to 30,049 mt of fi shery. And if the fi sh are in offshore 16” SPOKED WHEEL herring). Redfi sh racks and heads are im- areas, the midwater fl eet has the abil- • BRONZE DUAL RAM • CHROME QUADRANT ASSEMBLY ported predominantly from Canada with ity to catch pogies with the aid of spot- some product coming from Germany. ter planes although the potential for this fi shery is largely uncertain. ELECTRIC CLUTCHES HIGH EFFICIENCY VANE Use of redfi sh as bait has increased only PUMP slightly from three percent in 2006 to four The cost of pogies will most likely $544.70 increase. Fishing vessels will require re- • 100% Stainless Steel construction percent in 2008. Maine is currently advo- • Rudder side thrust eliminated cating for the creation of an experimental rigging and fi sh caught outside of New • no stress on boat timbers redfi sh fi shery which could land 9,000 mt. England will require trucking or the use Can pogies provide a substitute for of carrier vessels. 5.5 HP HONDA POWER UNIT OUR NEW GENERATION SUPER BLOCKS Moving bait by tractor trailer could • 11GPM @ 1500 PSI 2 Stage Pump • 4” Low LIP and HI LIP herring? • Light, Versatile and Portable • 5” Low LIP and HI LIP The pogie fi shery occurs along the limit access to bait by small communities. • This unit will power 10” • 2000 lb. Capacity Smaller bait dealers don’t have the infra- and 12” and 14” Haulers • Sealed tapered coast from Maine to Florida. It’s an open • Ideal for outboards and roller bearings access fi shery with no catch quotas in place structure and logistics in place for tractor other small boats • Aluminum Sheaves for the commercial bait fi shery. Many trailers to unload. The smaller dealers will • Log Splitter • Stainless Sheaves states have regulations in place regulating have to rely more on larger distributors gear type and vessel size. Peak landings are for access to bait. June through September with landings go- Downeast fi shermen are especially WORLD’S LARGEST POT HAULER MFG. FOR OVER 40 YEARS ing strong through October. A fall fi shery vulnerable since they are at the end of beginning in late November off the Vir- the trucking line. Call John for more information 1-800-747-7550 • Or visit us on ginia and North Carolina coasts can often About two thirds of herring bait is the internet: http://www.midcoast.com/~marinhyd/ see landings through February. The fi sh- caught June through December. Most of MARINE HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING ery may be strong in an area one year and Maine lobster is caught July through No- 17 Gordon Drive • Rockland, Maine • Fax: 207-594-9721 not the next. vember. Herring bait landed during the Email: [email protected] About 75-80 percent of pogies landed winter months can be salted and stored by those who have access to cooler stor- are used to make fi sh meal and other prod- fresh herring and it poses logistical issues better understand Maine’s bait storage ca- ucts such as fi sh oil health supplements. age. Herring that is salted and stored in coolers properly can last for about six if used on a large scale. It is sold in 45 pacity. Lobstermen, coops and bait deal- The crab, lobster and hook and line pound blocks. Distribution requires freez- ers can participate through a link to the fi sheries all use pogey bait to varying de- months. Frozen herring is not a preferred bait er space, equipment to move pallets, and survey on the MLA website (mainelob- grees. Typically, bait landings from Vir- the time and space to thaw the product. stermen.org). ginia and Maryland are sold to the crab source. Many feel it is not effective in catching lobsters, it is more expensive than The MLA is conducting surveys to November 2009 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 9

Such was the situation for Massachusetts fi sher- On April 22 a federal research vessel for NOAA Whales, continued from page 1 man, Dan Holmes. Max Strahan, who calls himself hit an endangered right whale off the coast of Mas- the Prince of Whales, sued Holmes for $1.1 million in sachusetts. The boat was traveling 22 miles per hour in istration (NOAA) agreed that the case will not affect 2007 because a humpback whale became entangled in four-foot seas when the whale surfaced about ten feet Eldridge’s present or future federal fi shing license. Holmes’ whale-compliant gear. The whale was success- in front of it. Although NOAA investigated the situa- Federal law requires fi shermen to contact licensed fully disentangled and swam away unharmed. tion, no one was fi ned or prosecuted. marine mammal rescue workers to disentangle any en- Usually, the names of fi shermen involved in en- Fishing vessels account for a low percentage (0.3%) tangled whale. Fishermen are prohibited from doing it tanglement cases are kept confi dential. However, the of known large whale ship strikes. According to NO- themselves. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) was court- AA’s 2004 “Large Whale Ship Strike Database,” Navy The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects all ordered to release Holmes’ name to Strahan during a vessels accounted for the majority of whale strike in- marine mammals including whales, dolphins, porpois- case fi led by Strahan against the Commonwealth of cidents. Cargo ships (including container ships and es, seals, seal lions and walruses. People may not “take” Massachusetts. freighters) whale-watching vessels, cruise ships, ferries, marine mammals, meaning they cannot hunt, harass, The court concluded that Holmes violated the Coast Guard vessels, recreation vessels, steamships and capture or kill them without valid permits. Endangered Species Act because his gear did “take” tankers similarly account for more ship strikes than The Endangered Species Act also prohibits “tak- a whale, reported Commercial Fisheries News in fi shing vessels. ing” endangered marine mammals but defi nes “taking” a March 2009 article. The fact that it was accidental As part of the Maine Whale Take Reduction Plan, more broadly. Under its provisions, in addition to not was not relevant, the court said. The court, which has the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) urges being able to hunt, harass, capture or kill endangered jurisdiction to take away fi shing permits, did not ban Maine fi shermen to call in reports and sightings of marine mammals, people, entities, and federal and state Holmes from fi shing. According to the Commercial whales and other marine mammals through a toll-free agencies may not harm, pursue, shoot, wound, trap, or Fisheries News article, the judge wrote that banning hotline (800-532-9551). The DMR then reports to the collect a listed endangered species without a valid per- Holmes from fi shing would cause him more harm than appropriate federal agencies and contacts respond- mit. The Humpback, North American right whale, and any harm Holmes’ gear could potentially do to a whale ers, which may include DMR marine patrol offi cers the fi n whale are listed as endangered species. in the future. and lobstermen who have completed disentanglement These restrictions apply to government agencies Though tactics such as Strahan’s are extreme and training. DMR also uploads the information into a and scientists as well. NOAA can issue permits for sci- seldom deployed, they are possible through Section 11 web-based interactive program to inform fi shermen of entifi c research, for take incidental to commercial fi sh- of the Endangered Species Act. the known locations of whales so that precautionary ing, and for public display at licensed institutions such The Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan was measures can be taken. as aquaria and science centers. Lobstermen are not re- enacted in 1997 to help reduce whale entanglements Fishermen should not attempt to disentangle a quired to obtain permits to fi sh because commercial in fi shing gear. The Plan created gear restrictions such whale themselves. Instead, DMR’s Erin Summers ad- lobstering is regulated under the Atlantic Large Whale as sinking groundlines and a weak link in the buoy line vises Maine fi shermen to report entangled whales di- Take Reduction Plan. with a limited breaking strength. rectly to the Whale hotline by cell phone. If a fi sher- The NOAA’s Fisheries Offi ce for Law Enforcement Whales are also injured by ship strikes. In 2008, man is unable to contact the Whale hotline directly, he enforces these laws. Violators face criminal and civil NOAA implemented a plan to reduce the threat of should instead contact the Coast Guard. Fishermen sanctions, including stiff fi nes, imprisonment, and po- ship collisions with right whales. Vessels must maintain are required to stand by until responders arrive at the tential forfeiture of their fi shing license. a distance of 500 yards from a right whale to avoid a scene. This cooperation helps rescue teams locate the The Endangered Species Act also allows interest- whale strike. Vessels over 65 feet long must obey speed whale. ed parties to fi le civil suits—meaning people can sue restrictions by slowing to ten knots in areas known to DMR offers training to fi shermen interested in NOAA in order to compel them to enforce the law or have large whales. These rules do not apply to vessels learning basic disentanglement and standby proto- even sue individual violators of the law. Violators of owned, operated or under contract to the federal gov- cols to aid in authorized disentanglement procedures. the Endangered Species Act can be subject to penalties ernment or state enforcement vessels engaged in law Anyone interested in such training should contact the of up to $25,000 per count per day. enforcement or search and rescue. DMR directly.

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www.miltoncat.com 10 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION November 2009 Lobster Harvest Days connect customers with lobstermen By Hanna Wheeler SCARBOROUGH (submitted by Sue Bayley of Bayley’s Lobster Pound) ommunities up and down the coast Corganized Lobster Harvest Day We at Bayley’s Lobster Pound par- events throughout the month of Octo- ticipated in Lobster Harvest Days this ber. The events underscored the impor- year by offering small lobsters at $5 each tance of lobstering to Maine’s coastal and mediums at $6 each, live or cooked. communities at a time when lobstermen Customer response was good and a few are faced with rising bait, fuel, and gear customers learned of the event through costs coupled with low lobster prices. the Maine Lobster Promotion Council’s Inspiration for Lobster Harvest Days advertisements. We ran the promotion came from the success of lobster buying in our retail market on Saturday and days organized last year by volunteers in Sunday of Columbus Day weekend. We Stonington, Georgetown, Rockland, and also sent emails and advertised in local other towns. newspapers. The Maine Lobster Promotion For those two days alone we sold Council supported this year’s volunteer about 2,000 pounds of lobsters. That is efforts through statewide advertising, a little less than we sold last year for the tee-shirt printing and fl yer printing. same weekend. Last year was a particu- larly good Columbus Day weekend be- PORT CLYDE cause the reduced retail price of lobsters The Port Clyde Fishermen’s Coop- was still a novelty to consumers and was erative held their Lobster Harvest Day creating a buzz. on October 10 from noon to 5:00 p.m. Though the prices this year were 11 from 9:00-3:30. Lobsters sold for $5 They sold 1,200 pounds of lobster— good, and Canadian Thanksgiving was STONINGTON each live or cooked. They sold about 400 two times their original goal. the same weekend, which helps a lot (information taken from a SLWG press release) pounds of lobster. Live lobster sold for $5 each, cooked here in Pine Point, it seems that custom- The Stonington Lobster Working lobster for $6, lobster rolls for $10 and ers have become desensitized to low Group (SLWG) held its second annual GEORGETOWN lobster dinners for $10. Festival-goers prices. Customers responded positively “Lobster Sale on the Pier” on Sunday, Georgetown residents held their fi rst enjoyed lobster dinners on the dock to selling lobster at a set price rather Oct. 11, at 1:00. Lobsterman Appreciation Day at the while listening to live music. than a per pound price. We were genu- Live, 1 lb to 1-1/4 lb lobsters sold Five Islands Lobster Company in 2008. The festival took place on the co- inely surprised at how positively people for $5.25 each on the Stonington Fish The event was a success—bringing in op wharf—recently restored due to the reacted to the $6 each mediums. Pier in the middle of town. The lobster approximately $14,000—and it encour- cooperative efforts of local commercial Overall, the combination of decent working group set the price at a level aged the community to organize another fi shermen, the state’s Working Water- weather and the holiday weekend helped that refl ects the value of the catch to the event this year. front Access Pilot Program, and the Is- us more than the state-wide advertising. island’s lobster industry and the Deer Five Islands employee Georgia Wat- land Institute. The vast majority of our customers were Isle-Stonington community as a whole. son-Kennett organized the event which Proceeds from the event will go to- from Boston or Canada, and they were The lobsters, all caught by the local fl eet, was held October 17. She was disap- wards maintaining the working water- less likely to have heard the promotional were provided through the cooperation pointed by this year’s smaller turnout front and furthering the lobstermen’s spots. Though we did draw local custom- of the Stonington Lobster Co-op with but they were still able to raise $8,216. direct-marketing efforts. ers, more than one of them remarked the support of all the island’s private Lobsters sold for $5 each, live or seeing roadside signs for dealers. cooked. They also provided free coffee $3.49 and questioned the Proceeds from the day’s sale were do- and desserts. $5 price. nated to the Island Food Pantry and the Island Heating Assistance Program. RAYMOND BATH The fi rst “Lobster Sale on the Pier” Fishermen’s Catch in Raymond host- Gilmore’s Sea Foods was held in October of 2008, when the ed a Lobster Harvest Day on October held their Lobster Har- price of lobster was in a free-fall due to 24. Heavy downpours dampened the vest Day on October 11. the international fi nancial crisis. It was turnout so they ran the same specials on Lobsters sold for $5 live held to raise the general public’s aware- October 25. Fishermen’s Catch is donat- or cooked. They sold be- ness of the local lobster industry. ing 50 cents of each sale to Camp Sun- tween 1,000 and 1,200 The Stonington Lobster Working shine—a retreat for children with life- pounds. Ben Gilmore Group is a subgroup of the town’s Eco- threatening illnesses. They sold about 40 of Gilmore’s Sea Foods nomic Development Committee. lobster rolls and about 500 pounds of reports that they were lobster on October 24. They sold about pleased with the re- WINTER HARBOR 350 pounds on October 25. Organizers sults. The Winter Harbor lobster co-op of the event said they were happy with it held a Lobster Harvest Day on October and would do it again next year. California siblings enjoy lobster in Port Clyde. Photo: Steve Cartwright Enforcement update: News from the DMR

olonel Joe Fessenden directs the Maine Marine area cited a fi sherman for short lobsters that will re- CPatrol—the enforcement arm of the Maine sult in a fi ne of over $5,000 under the new penalty Department of Marine Resources (DMR). Colonel structure. Fessenden provided the information for this update. PERSONNEL CHANGES TRAP CUTTING tion of theft to the list of offenses for which a marine During the last month, several instances of trap cut- resources license may be suspended, and the increase Division 1, Section 1 (Kittery to Cape Elizabeth) ting in western Penobscot Bay have diverted Marine in fi nes for the possession of short or over-sized lob- Marine Patrol Sergeant Richard LaFlamme has left Patrol Offi cers from other areas of the state to address sters. Find a description of the full list of lobster vio- the BMP to join the Maine Warden Service. Sergeant complaints in that area. lation laws changes in the October issue of the MLA Daryen Granata has been promoted and will replace newsletter (www.mainelobstermen.org). LaFlamme. CHANGES IN LOBSTER LAW VIOLATIONS Colonel Fessenden reported that offi cers have been Changes in the lobster violation laws went into ef- INKING GROUNDLINE COMPLIANCE routinely checking lobstermen and continue to fi nd S fect in September. Examples include: an increase in the most fi shermen in compliance. However, Marine Pa- Colonel Fessenden reports that sinking groundline fi ne for the possession of scrubbed lobsters, the addi- trol Offi cer Daniel White in the Damariscotta/ Bristol compliance is high coast wide. November 2009 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 11 DMR changes Lobster Council to market Canadian lobster

reporting, seed he Lobster Council of Canada was with industry and the development of have 100 million pounds of lobster Tannounced in October at a meet- a self-funding model for the organiza- and we have to maximize the benefi t ing of the Canadian Council of Fisher- tion beyond the fi rst two years. to the region but we can’t do that if lobster programs ies and Aquaculture Ministers with the According to Ed Frenette, the we’re always working against each oth- hope that it will revive the struggling executive director of the P.E.I. Fish- er,” said Shea in an October 15 CBC he Maine Department of Marine Canadian lobster industry. ermen’s Association, the industry is News report. TResources (DMR) held a public hearing The 16-member council, a market- looking towards stability, “at fair and The Council headquarters will be on October 26 and accepted written com- ing and promotional body, has mem- reasonable shore prices for our har- based in Halifax and an executive di- ments through November 6 on two proposed bers from the four Atlantic provinces, vesters that will lead to proper prices rector is now being recruited. The four rulemakings affecting the lobster industry. Quebec and First Nations. The Lob- in the marketplace for the processing Atlantic Provinces, the Government The proposed rules will affect the Harvester ster Council of Canada, which began sector,” reported the Journal Pioneer of Quebec and the Department of Reporting Program and the Seed Lobster as a concept in 2007, is comprised in an October 16 article. Fisheries and Oceans will collectively Permit Program. The proposed change to the of fi shermen, processors and lobster Minister of Fisheries and Oceans provide about $370,000 in direct fund- Harvester Reporting Program will add “the buyers. Gail Shea, who announced the for- ing to the organization over the next number of strings hauled” to the reporting Initial priorities of the Council in- mation of the council, said the group two years. form in order to improve data collected on clude the development and implemen- would be responsible for several as- Visit www.lobstercouncilcanada.ca gear confi gurations for use in vertical line tation of a long-term marketing strat- pects of the lobster industry. for more information. density estimates. egy, an active communications strategy “We have a fi nite resource here. We The proposed change to the Seed Lobster Permit program will include changing the tim- ing of the program season and disbursement Maine requests federal assistance for shellfi sh of funds. Lobster pound owners who qualify for the Seed Lobster Fund Program are most directly impacted by the changes. Proposed industry changes to Seed Lobster Permit program have been reviewed and supported by the Lobster Advisory Council. aine’s Congressional delegation of Maine’s shellfi sh beds over the sources (DMR) estimates the value of The Seed Lobster Permit program is sup- Mjointly submitted a letter urging spring and summer due to red tide the shellfi sh industry at approximately ported by lobster license fees. It ensures a the US Department of Commerce as well as the closure of 100% of the 450 million. good brood stock by purchasing egg-bearing to consider Governor John E. Bal- offshore beds in federal waters. About The letter urged the Department dacci’s request for federal assistance females that produce eggs while in captiv- 3,000 harvesters and dealers rely eco- of Commerce to make funds available. and declare a fi sheries disaster for the ity. The program distributes these “seed lob- nomically upon shellfi sh beds. The Maine shellfi sh industry. sters” to Maine coastal waters and lobster Maine Department of Marine Re- The letter cited the closure of 97% hatcheries. Nobel prize winner heralds success of Maine lobster industry

linor Ostrom has been awarded the can be successful. ENobel Prize for Economics. In an “In the 1920s, they almost destroyed the interview with Nobelprize.org following lobster fi shery. They regrouped and thought the announcement of her award on Octo- hard about what to do and over time devel- ber 12, Ostrom cited the experience of the oped a series of ingenious rules and ways of Maine lobster industry as an example of how monitoring that have meant that the lobster common management of common resources fi shery in Maine is among the most success- ful in the world,” she said.

GOMLF to collect ghost gear

The Gulf of Maine Lobster Foun- ance and Protection Fund. The Fund is dation (GOMLF) has been awarded a managed by the National Fish and Wild- grant to begin a pilot project this winter life Foundation. Criminal fi nes incurred to collect and dispose of ghost lobster by shipping companies who pollute in gear along the Maine coast. Through this Maine waters feed into the National Fish project, GOMLF will contract with local and Wildlife Foundation. lobstermen to assist with the clean-up ef- forts. Funding is being provided by The Gulf of Maine Environmental Compli- DMR to collect gear density data he Maine Department of Marine effect the entire industry.” Lobstermen TResources (DMR) is asking Maine are asked to complete the log by estimat- lobstermen to fi ll out a gear density log as ing the maximum traps fi shed and maxi- part of the annual lobster license renewal. mum vertical lines fi shed for each month According to the DMR, “this log will be of the previous year. The data will be col- used to determine the density of gear that lected according to the zone fi shed, fur- exists in different fi shing areas. The infor- ther broken down into categories includ- mation will help managers determine if, ing: exempted state waters, non-exempted where and how regulations are needed in state waters, sliver, and federal waters. an effort to avoid blanket measures that 12 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION November 2009

Maine Lobster Chef of the Year crowned An update from the Maine Lobster Promotion Council

he Maine Lobster Promotion Council is running a mar- Tketing campaign designed to increase awareness of and demand for Maine Lobster as a fall food. The campaign has several related components, including advertising, events and public relations. The MLPC expanded the fall advertising program through a grant from the Research, Education and Development Fund and additional funds authorized for the purpose from the MLPC Board. They developed a television ad featuring lobstermen Clive Farrin and John Ready that will run from mid-October until Thanksgiving. The MLPC reports that they are limiting the advertising campaign to Maine markets in order to take advan- tage of desirable advertising rates and proven effectiveness with an audience predisposed to support the lobster industry. The MLPC’s annual ‘Maine Lobster Chef of the Year’ com- Mackenzie Arrington is the 2009 Maine Lobster Chef of the year. Photo: Hanna Wheeler petition, traditionally held in the summer, was moved to fall this By Hanna Wheeler of the promotion council said, “The lobster in- year to highlight the peak lobster harvest season. The MLPC dustry has received an incredible amount of pos- opened the event to the public to allow for dramatically in- oothbay Harbor native Mackenzie Arrington itive press coverage as a result of the event.” creased publicity and more fi rst-hand exposure. The event was Bis winner of this year’s Maine Lobster Chef The sold-out event was part of Harvest on held October 23 as a part of Harvest on the Harbor, one of the of the Year contest. His roasted Maine lobster tail the Harbor. This is the fi rst year that the contest country’s top fall wine and food festivals. on braised cabbage with cornbread got him the has been open to the public. Throughout October, local communities hosted Maine Lob- title and a $1,000 check from the Maine Lobster Harvest on the Harbor promotes Maine as ster Harvest Days events. The MLPC supported the communi- Promotion Council. Arrington is 22 and gradu- a food-lovers destination. It is organized by the ties’ efforts with a two-week radio campaign, print advertising ated from the Culinary Institute of America just a Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau. and posters. Consumers were very positive about the fl at rate week before the event. He is the son of last year’s Arrington reminded the audience of the pricing. winner, Margaret McLellan. contribution that Maine fi shermen make to the The MLPC generated media coverage for the fall advertising Contestants prepared their dishes in front of culinary world. “When you buy your lobster, go campaign, the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year event and the an audience, cooking-show style, with Kathleen straight to the source. Support your local lobster- Maine Lobster Harvest Days. Publications such as the Working Shannon of WCSH-TV emceeing the event. men,” he said. Waterfront, the Portland Press Herald, and the Associated Press “I could’ve eaten a whole tray of that,” said Shannon’s opening remarks also highlighted carried articles about MLPC activities. Press releases and news Yarmouth lobsterman Elliot Thomas after sam- the connection between the high class event and articles are on the MLPC’s website under ‘News.’ The MLPC pling Arrington’s winning dish. Maine lobstermen. “Hopefully, this will give the highlights positive developments within the lobster industry and The chef contest is sponsored by the Maine lobster industry a boost,” she said. works to minimize negative publicity whenever possible. Lobster Promotion Council. Marianne LaCroix November 2009 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 13 Maine restaurateurs and Maine lobstermen, a common bond By Richard Grotton meager at best. A typical restaurant paid between Maine restaurateurs and Maine lobster $3.50 and $5.00 a pound for new shell harvesters have a great deal in common. product this summer depending on their They are both fi ercely independent, and source of supply, boat versus dealer both rely on seasonal customers whose price, and proximity to the coast. Utiliz- behaviors can be greatly affected by out- ing those prices while understanding the side infl uences like the weather and the need to maintain a maximum 36% food economy. cost, a typical restaurant would price the This has been a diffi cult year for ev- meal in this fashion: eryone. Every industry has its own set of Calculating the average lobster cost at cost components that those outside the $4.25/lb x 1.25 lbs. = $5.3125 raw lob- industry simply do not understand. Lob- ster food cost. Add drawn butter, side ster harvesters and restaurant operators salad, chips, and utensils and you arrive have this in common as well. at a combined food cost of $7.2825. This Some might believe that because lobster would result in a $20.25 retail price for harvesters pluck their catch from the sea the the meal ($7.2825 is 36% food cost of product is free. They see a sign on a pickup $20.25). All of that retail price except for truck beside the road offering lobster at $1.01 (5% profi t) goes to pay the over- $3.50 a pound and assume it is all profi t. head. What they don’t consider are the costs in- When you apply the same calculations volved in obtaining a license, buying, repair- to the more expensive hard shell lobster ing and replacing traps and line, bait costs, with an average summer price of $7.00 a the cost of buying and maintaining a boat pound or more the combined food cost and its equipment and fuel. Once you add it goes to $10.72 and the restaurateur is up, that free lobster gets looking at a pretty costly. They as- menu price of sume the traps are full $29.00 for the on every trip. And, they Guest Column meal. Many surely don’t understand Maine restau- the toll it takes on the rants charge body to do that work less per lob- season after season. The harvester is truly the ster meal than the food cost equation only one who understands the costs involved suggests, featuring new shells at $14.95 and where that all-important breakeven point and hard shells at $24.00. Their food cost comes. in this case is much higher than other Similarly, those not in the restaurant busi- items on the menu and that important ness do not understand all of the costs associ- contribution to profi t all but disappears ated with purchasing, preparing and serving in the overhead and labor if they aren’t products like lobster. It is easy to understand selling in quantity. why the lobster harvester might wonder, if the So while the lobster harvester may ex- price of lobster is so low/less than in recent pect that because the price of lobster was memory/at an all-time low, why aren’t prices lower this year than in the past, the above for lobster-based menu items falling too? example explains that this year was the A well-run restaurant simply must op- year when many restaurants broke even, erate within a range of 30% to 36% food or did not lose money on the lobster cost in order to cover the extensive labor, meals they served. energy, insurance, rent or mortgage and The restaurant industry is very aware that tax expenses required to produce a 3% this has been a diffi cult year for the lobster -6% bottom line pre-tax profi t (based on trade. Because of that, the Maine Restaurant national averages). Association repeatedly encouraged our res- Historically, lobster is a product that is taurant members to feature lobster specials, expensive for a restaurant to obtain, but also and to buy and use more lobster product then costly in terms of preparation and space to ever, and many did. store, rotate, and serve. Despite these chal- In so many ways, the good fortunes lenges, the majority of Maine restaurants are of lobster harvesters and restaurateurs in committed to featuring the state’s edible icon Maine rely on similar factors, for ours is a because lobster enjoys strong consumer de- tourism based economy and our summer mand. Therefore, the restaurant is obliged guests identify the fl avor of Maine with to have lobster available, almost regardless lobster. We are highly supportive of the of the purchase price, in order to satisfy the harvesters who catch them and the deal- consumer in search of their special summer ers who stock them and make them read- treat. Depending on market conditions, the ily available to our restaurants. Represent- contribution to restaurant profi t is sometimes ing the restaurant industry, we are proud of the restaurant’s role in marketing and pro- moting lobster to more than 32 million Maine ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS CARD IN visitors each year!

Richard Grotton is THE MLA NEWSLETTER president and CEO of the Maine Restaurant Asso- ciation. 14 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION November 2009

Meeting Round-up

ZONE F (September 30) stermen will be faced with a diffi cult decision next sea- MLA DIRECTORS (October 7) son of whether or not to continue to fi sh badly chaffed Yarmouth, ME: The Zone F Council members rope or to replace it with new rope. Belfast, ME: MLA Directors received a copy of the discussed the potential impacts of the anticipated cut Lobstermen continue to be frustrated over low lob- October newsletter and were pleased with the revamp- in herring quota beginning in 2010. Members ex- ster prices. Many see potential in marketing their own ing and improving the newsletter. The Board voted to pressed general concern over the potential for herring lobsters, but have not found it to be feasible. Others continue with in-house advertising sales and support shortages and increases in bait prices. Many were not expressed frustration over restaurants continuing to for the newsletter. Membership renewals continue to alarmed because the majority of Zone F lobstermen sell lobster at “market price” and believe it discourages arrive steadily. The membership year ended on August fi sh with pogies. The issues of the Zone F/G buffer customers from buying it. A Tenants Harbor lobster- 31. Approximately 60% of members have renewed to and double-tagging requirement were raised as a point man provided an update on the recent completion of date. We must continue to remind our members that of ongoing frustration for many Zone F lobstermen. their trap density study it is time to renew, and that the organization depends The Zone F sentiment is that their interests were not Maine DMR provided a several updates (see Zone on their support. adequately represented in previous discussions of the F Summary). The state has held a follow-up meeting in Deirdre Gilbert from Maine DMR updated the Di- zone lines. A Zone F representative will raise this issue Zone D with Monhegan fi shermen to further discuss rectors on DMR’s decision not to move forward with the next Zone G meeting. the potential for ocean energy test sites around that legislation to establish a new lobster science and mar- Members are concerned that the Zone G Council area. keting entity during the upcoming session. Instead, will not entertain proposals on this topic. Informal dis- the DMR will work with the Lobster License Plate cussions with Zone G lobstermen will be pursued to ZONE E (October 14) Research, Education, and Development Fund (RED identify potential solutions. Fund) to hire an outreach coordinator. The outreach Several topics relating to improving the lobster mar- Wiscasset, ME: The Zone E Council met, but did coordinator will get feedback from the lobster industry ket and price were discussed. A proposal to positively not have a quorum. The DMR will reach out to Zone on the advantages and disadvantages of increasing the impact the lobster market by taking Saturdays and Sun- Council members to work with them to ensure feed- level of industry investment in marketing. The MLA days off was not supported. A proposal to change the back from Zone E on important issues such as the Directors indicated that they would like MLA to re- gauge mid-season as a way to land less lobster and im- anticipated herring shortage. The state plans to con- main involved on this issue and to assist with the edu- prove quality was discussed, and feedback will be solic- duct further outreach in the Wiscasset area to further cation and outreach campaign. ited at the district level for future discussion. The DMR discuss potential for locating ocean energy test sites in Six bill titles related to the lobster industry have has not submitted legislation to form a new lobster sci- that area. been submitted for consideration in the next legisla- ence and marketing entity, which would have required a tive session, as well as fi ve additional bills submitted shared contribution from harvesters and dealers. Zone ASMFC / NEFMC JOINT HERRING MEETING by Maine DMR. The Legislative Council will vote on F expressed the need to understand the potential re- (October 6) which bills will move forward in mid-October with a turn on any investment made by lobstermen for future fi nal list available in early November. There are also marketing. Portland, ME: A joint ASMFC/NEFMC herring a few carry over bills from last session including the DMR provided several updates. meeting was held to discuss the specifi cations for area saltwater fi shing license. On the management front, the quotas over the next 3 years. The joint committees comment period closes on October 9 for ASMFC draft • Trap tag fees will remain the same for next year, expressed concern over the level of uncertainty with Addendum XV to the lobster plan. Several environ- but they could increase in the future due to budget the recent stock assessment results and the recom- mental groups have joined together and fi led a petition shortfalls. mended Acceptable Biologic Catch (ABC) of 90,000 to expand critical habitat for large whales to include the • The DMR has submitted a bill to allow processors metric tons (mt) by the Science and Statistical Com- entire Gulf of Maine. NMFS has 12 months to make a the fl exibility to process a full array of lobster products mittee (SSC). It was clarifi ed that the Council is bound determination. There will be an opportunity for public including. by law to follow the scientifi c recommendations of the comment on this if it moves forward. The MLA will • License renewals will include a log to estimate the SSC and although a socio-economic analysis will be continue to monitor this issue. amount of vertical lines fi shed to help with the whale conducted on all management options, the results will MLA Directors were updated on the anticipated plan. not have any impact on the SSC’s recommendation for bait shortage next year. MLA’s staff attorney explained • There are no ocean energy test sites anticipated ABC. that the MLA cannot fi ght the slated cuts in quota as for the Zone F area. The joint committees questioned whether the new they are mandated under the law, and socio-economic • There has been no opposition to ASMFC’s Ad- legal requirement to incorporate the SSC’s recommen- impacts will not be taken into account when consider- dendum XV to limit new effort into the Area 1 lobster dation for ABC could be delayed until 2011 because ing the amount of quota available. The MLA Direc- fi shery. If this is implemented, only Area 1 permits the herring fi shery is not overfi shed and overfi shing is tors requested that staff conduct research to determine with trap history during the qualifi cation period will be not occurring. NMFS legal counsel cited a lawsuit that our current bait supply and the potential for baits other able to fi sh. has been fi led related to this issue, but speculated it is than herring to make up for the reduction in herring • Several environmental groups have submitted a unlikely to be resolved by the court in time to affect landings. The MLA is campaigning for a new herring petition to expand critical whale habitat in the Gulf decisions on herring quota allocations for next year. assessment and is urging NMFS to open an experimen- of Maine. DMR has proposed minor changes to rules The Herring Plan Development Team scientists tal redfi sh fi shery in the Gulf of Maine which has po- for harvester reporting and the Seed Lobster Permit presented a risk analysis of mixing ratios on the inshore tential to land 9,000 mt. The next MLA meetings will program. The next Zone F meeting is schedule for and offshore stocks, and recommended a drastically be November 4 and December 2 at 5pm at Darby’s in December 3 at 6pm. reduced quota of around 10,000 mt for Area 1A to Belfast. prevent overfi shing; a 50,000 mt reduction from 2006. ZONE D (October 8) The joint committees recommended that six options be analyzed under two scenarios: 1) ABC of 145,000 Rockland, ME: The Zone D Council re-elected mt in 2010 and 90,000 mt in 2011 and 2012 and 2) existing offi cers for another year. Signifi cant discus- ABC of 90,000 mt for the next three years. The stock sion was held around the anticipated cut in herring assessment indicates a fi shing mortality rate (FMSY) quotas beginning next year. Many expressed that this of .24 as the target that will not adversely impact the Enter to win the Maine will come down to survival of the fi ttest. Those with stock. The joint committees requested that options be enough money to afford bait will survive; others will analyzed which meet a target FMSY range of .24 to lobstermen photo contest not. Others were very concerned about the availability .28. All of the alternatives developed with an ABC of of bait next year and discussed ideas to decrease the 145,000 mt exceed this target range. An Area 1A quota Winners will receive gift certifi cates from one of lobster industry’s demand for bait. Specifi cally, the is- of 22,000 mt in Area 1A has an FMSY of .37, which is our member businesses. sue of the quality of summer lobsters was raised. The well above the target range. The categories are: Council discussed the potential to reduce fi shing effort The joint committees will reconvene on November • Best crew shot when the lobster product is poor as way to decrease 10 to review the analysis and to discuss fi nal recom- • Best scenic bait demand. Possibilities include seasonal restrictions, mendations for allocations of herring quota for 2010- • Best lobster/ bait close-up shorter work weeks or fewer traps 2012. The NEFMC will approve this recommendation • Best action shot Lobstermen are still learning how to cope with sink- at their November meeting. The fi nal package will not ing groundlines, but they anticipate fewer problems be implemented by NMFS until early 2010. Photos can be color or black and white. with it during the fall and winter than at other times of Submit photos to mainelobsterphotocontest@ the year because they are fi shing less frequently. Lob- gmail.com. Deadline is December 15. November 2009 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 15

Wind Meeting Round-up Department of Conservation’s website. nents necessary to develop deep-water, The four draft sites are not fi nal. Marvinney said his team will accept ASMFC ADDENDUM XV PUB- Area 1 by preventing conversion of new offshore wind power, including fl oating platforms, anchoring systems, and new written comment from the general pub- LIC HEARINGS (Sept 21, Oct 6, Oct 7) effort from other lobster management lic and stakeholders until November 30. areas and the non-trap fi shery into Area lightweight blade composites. They will also monitor the impacts, if “We’re far from done. This process Portland, Rockland and Ellsworth, 1. The ASMFC Lobster Board will re- is transparent, and I urge anyone who ME: Draft Addendum XV proposes to view this addendum at their November any, of offshore wind systems on the envi- ronment. The law mandates that one site be wants to submit an opinion, or techni- maintain the historic level of trap fi shing meeting. cal data, to write to the Department of effort (2004 – 2008) and curtail a poten- designated as a wind energy research center operated by the University of Maine. State Conservation,” Marvinney said. tial infl ux of new federal lobster vessels MAINE COASTAL WATERS Marvinney said comments can be in LCMA 1 federal waters fi shery (3 – CONFERENCE (October 28) agencies are required to identify the sites by December 15. submitted online at the DOC website, 200 miles from shore). and written comments on the draft sites The Draft Addendum also proposes Northport, ME: The second Maine The DOC is making public a memo called “Draft Site Selection Methodolo- can be mailed to: to limit entry of vessels which have not Coastal Waters Conference, an all day Wind Energy Site Selection fi shed with traps in LCMA 1 in the past event, featured informative presenta- gy” that describes the analysis and rank- ing methodology used to identify the c/o Dan Prichard from fi shing in Area 1 with traps in the tions and discussions about climate Department of Conservation future. Ultimately, whatever actions are change, sea level rise, ocean energy and four draft sites. Maps of the four draft sites are also available online, along 22 State House Station approved will be in the form of rec- community participation in ocean man- Augusta, ME 04333-0022 ommendations to the National Marine agement. Keynote speakers included with the memo on methodology, at the Fisheries Service for action in the federal Monica Medina, Senior Advisor to the waters portion of LCMA 1. Attendance NOAA Administrator, Angus S. King, at the public hearings was minimal, and Jr., former Governor, state of Maine, no concerns were raised. and Susi Moser, Ph. D., Climate Re- The Maine Lobstermen’s Association searcher, Susanne Moser supported the Draft Addendum in a let- ter to the ASMFC stating its support to maintain historic trap fi shing effort in

CORRECTIONS

In the October issue of the MLA newsletter, we reported that, “In 2009, the herring fi shery landed 20,000 mt in just two landing days in August.” That should read, “...landed 20,000 mt in just two landing days per week in August.”

Po Box 37, Stonington, ME 04681

CFN has the lastest : Market Reports News Catch So subscribe today Along the Coast Lobster boat races and you get a great State news columns New Boats deal as a member of this association. Only $18.75 for Enforcement Report And more... one year and save more than $14.00 off the regular newsstand Other favorites include: rate. WOW, what a savings! Classifieds Fleet additions Call Katie Brian Robbins’ Bearin’s Letters to the Editor! 800-989-5253 Mention this Code: MLA 16 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION November 2009 MLA takes action on herring cuts Address to NOAA, NEFMC, and ASMFC

October 14, 2009

Dear Dr. Lubchenco, Dr. Thompson, Mr. Howard and Mr. O’Shea:

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) is an industry association representing the interests of Maine’s commercial lobster industry. The MLA is extremely con- cerned with the results of the most recent stock assessment completed by the Transboundary Resources Assessment Committee (TRAC) as well as the resulting recom- mendation from the Science and Statistical Committee (SSC) to set the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) at 90,000MT, and proposals to greatly reduce allowable catches in the herring management areas. We urge you to address the scientifi c inadequacies of the herring data and corresponding assessment because the resulting management action to reduce quota will have severe economic impacts on the lobster industry and our coastal communities. The MLA recommends several actions to allow for sound management of the herring resource while minimizing extreme economic hardships.

• The MLA recommends that the 2009 Atlantic Herring specifi cations be carried forward for one year for the 2010 season. The TRAC determined the stock is not overfi shed and overfi shing is not occurring. Fishing mortality has consistently been below FMSY. National Standard 1 Guidelines allow for the ABC to be equal to the Over Fishing Limit (OFL). Setting the ABC = OFL would allow 2009 specifi cations to be carried forward for one year, during which time a new benchmark assessment must be completed.

• The MLA recommends that a new benchmark assessment be conducted as early as possible, to address the high level of uncertainty in the assessment results. The benchmark assessment should be completed in time to ensure its use in revising the herring specifi cation package for the 2011 fi shing season. National Standard 2 Guide- lines state that SSCs should advise their Councils regarding the best scientifi c information available for fi shery management decisions. The SSC recommended “a new benchmark assessment should be scheduled as soon as possible to address sources of uncertainty, re-estimate MSY reference points and consider including estimates of consumption and spatial structure in the assessment.”

• The MLA recommends that funding be prioritized to conduct research to more accurately assess the herring stock structure and biomass, particularly, to more ac- curately measure the proportions of spawning stocks within the herring stock complex. Of particular concern is obtaining an accurate measurement of the inshore stock component which is subject to high levels of fi shing effort and has long provided the primary bait supply for the lobster industry. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) has proposed to conduct such research and is ready to complete this important work.

• The MLA recommends that the U.S. engage Canada in bilateral management of the resource. The U.S. portion of the herring stock complex is highly regulated through the Area 1A TAC, while the landings from the Canadian portion of the inshore stock component occur annually without restriction. With U.S. quotas for Area 1A slated to be reduced by as much as 85% from 2006 levels, it is unacceptable for the Canadian landings to continue without regulation. This is not an equitable sharing of the resource. Furthermore, the Canadian fi shery targets young fi sh which could adversely affect the strength of future year classes.

• The MLA supports the Maine Department of Marine Resources proposal to develop an experimental fi shery for Acadian redfi sh. If this fi shery is put in place, it has the potential to offset at least some of the loss of herring quota.

The recommended ABC will cripple the Maine lobster industry which already has been struggling to adjust to the 1/3 reduction in herring quota since 2006. Recent discussions by the New England Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission reveal that the Area 1A quota could be set as low as 9,000 MT up to 20,000 MT, far below the 60,000 MT quota on which the lobster industry has depended on. That translates into a loss of up to 1.4 million bushel of bait in 2010 as compared to 2006. This impact is massive; bait will simply not be available for many, and lobstermen cannot fi sh without bait. The resulting tight bait supply will lead to corresponding increases in the cost of bait. According to a 2006 study conducted by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (Lobster Socioeconomic Impact Survey, Gulf of Maine Research Institute,2006), the average lobsterman spent 14% of gross revenue on bait in 2006. The MLA estimates that during this year, that fi gure increased to 25%, due to a 30% drop in boat price and a 20% increase in bait price. The MLA estimates that 35% to 40% of an average lobsterman’s gross revenue will be spent on bait under the projected scenarios. Because most lobster businesses are already struggling to make a profi t this year, any signifi - cant increase in the cost of bait threatens to put lobstermen out of business. Many will not be able to afford bait and, therefore, won’t be able to afford to go lobstering. Lobstermen who fi sh baits other than herring will not be spared the effects of this crisis, as the demand for herring alternatives will skyrocket creating shortages and pushing the price for all bait products beyond the reach of many lobstermen. In an effort to cope with the 1/3 cut in Area 1A quota over the past two years, the lobster industry has made strides in reducing the amount of herring used, diversify- ing the types of baits used, and adding storage and holding capacity for bait. The impact of holding capacity varies widely depending on size and number of fi shermen serviced, and the impact ranges from providing a few days worth of bait up to a three week supply. Despite these efforts, the Maine lobster industry has experienced bait shortages in 2008 and 2009. This year, with a June opening and only two landing days per week, 20,000 MT were landed from Area 1A before the end of August; 9,000 MT were harvested by mid- July. The Maine lobster fi shery operates year round, however, 83% of the landings occur over a fi ve month period from July through November; and more than 20% of landings occur during October. It is diffi cult to conceive how there will be any herring available to fi sh our lucrative fall months when the majority of profi ts are earned in the lobster fi shery. And Downeast lobstermen could be most severely impacted because their fi shery occurs later in the season when compared to other areas. The impact of a reduction in quota will be felt far beyond the lobster industry in Maine. In 2008, Maine’s 5,800 owner-operator lobstermen landed a catch valued at $245 million and contributed nearly a billion dollars to their local economy. The lobster industry is the economic backbone of many coastal communities. If lobstermen are not able to fi sh due to bait shortages or inability to afford bait, the economic stability of many Downeast and island communities will be threatened. The MLA is ardent supporter of stewardship of our precious ocean resources that allow for sustainable harvests for our fi shermen today, while ensuring a sustainable future for future generations. The Maine lobster fi shery is healthy and sustainable, and we support this same approach in managing the herring fi shery. However, the science fueling the massive reductions in herring landings over the next three years are overwhelmed with uncertainty. Given that the resource is not overfi shed and overfi shing is not occurring, we strongly urge you to support carrying the 2009 specifi cation package forward by setting the ABC = OFL (as allowed under National Standard 1), and ensure that a new benchmark assessment be completed for the herring fi shery in time to set new quotas in time for the 2011 fi shing season. Maine’s lobster industry and our coastal communities will depend on it.

Thank you for your consideration of this urgent issue.

Sincerely, Patrice McCarron, MLA Executive Director Senator Olympia Snowe Senator Susan Collins Representative Chellie Pingree Representative Michael Michaud New England Fishery Management Council (Herring Committee via Lori Steele) Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Herring Section via Chris Vonderweidt) Commissioner George Lapointe, Maine Dept of Marine Resources November 2009 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 17 Maine Lobstermens Association Member Business Listing AUTO DEALERS Northeast Marine Survey, Inc Chase Leavitt Co Novatec Braids Ltd Credit Now Auto Company Jason Hillman 72 Commercial St Neal Prescott Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation John Linnehan’s PO Box 231 PO Box 589 PO Box 735 Erin Pelletier PO Box 553 Bailey Island, ME 04003 Portland, ME 04112 Yarmouth, ME 04096 PO Box 523 Ellsworth, ME 04605 207-833-0954 207-772-6383 207-846-8657 Kennebunk, ME 04043 207-667-2750 [email protected] 218 Bucksport Rd [email protected] 207-985-8088 www.northeastmarinesurvey.us Ellsworth, ME 04605 www.novabraid.com [email protected] AUTO/TRUCK BODIES 10% off the commercial rate 207-667-9390 for MLA members www.chaseleavitt.com Plantes Lobster Escape Vents Inc Island Institute Hews Company LLC Eric and Jocelyn Dedoes Rob Snyder 190 Rumery St ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT Grundens USA Ltd 3628 Turner Ridge Rd PO Box 648 Somerville, ME 04348 Rockland, ME 04841 South Portland, ME 04106 Blackmore Electronics PO Box 2068 207-549-7204 207-594-9209 207-767-2136 800-234-4397 Blaine E Blackmore Poulsbo, WA 98370 [email protected] 800-323-7327 [email protected] [email protected] PO Box 82 www.plantebuoysticks.com www.hewsco.com Stonington, ME 04681 [email protected] ME Import/Export Dealers Assoc. 207-367-2703 www.grundens.com Polyform US Pete McAleney BAIT DEALERS [email protected] Tom Case PO Box 10228 Bessy Bait LLC Pete’s Marine Electronics Guy Cotton Inc. 7030 S 224th Portland, ME 04104 Warehouse: 155 R Batchelder Rd, Peter Grant Patrick Jaquer Kent, WA 98032 207-775-1612 Seabrook, NH 03874 101 Washington Rd 782 South Water St. 253-872-0300 www.mainelobsterdealers.com 2 Mase Rd Waldoboro, ME 04572 New Bedford, MA 02740 [email protected] Hampton, NH 03842 207-350-2500 508-997-7075 www.polyformus.com Maine Lobster Promotion Council 603-300-2846; 603-300-2849 [email protected] [email protected] Dane Somers [email protected] www.guycottonusa.com Rose’s Marine 45 Memorial Circle, Suite 102 www.bessybait.com Sawyer & Whitten Marine Don Favaloro Augusta, ME 04330 Mike Whitten Hamilton Marine 375 Main St 207-287-5142 (5140-offi ce) Cape Porpoise Lobster Co Inc 416 Commericial St 155 E. Maine st. Gloucester, MA 01930 [email protected] 978-283-3334 800-283-3334 Allen Daggett Portland, ME 04101 Searsport, ME 04974 184 Beachwood Ave 207-879-4500 [email protected] 207-548-2985 Maine Port Authority Kennebunkport, ME 04046 www.rosesmarine.com John Henshaw 207-967-0900 118 Tillson Ave 16 State House Station [email protected] Rockland, ME 04841 100 Fore St. Superior Marine Products Inc Augusta, ME 04333 www.capeporpoiselobster.com 207-594-7073 Portland, ME 04101 Dean C Bridges 207-624-3564 [email protected] 15 Murray Drive 207-774-1772 [email protected] Clawdia’s Secret www.sawyerwhitten.com Raymond, ME 04071 www.maineports.com Pat Pinto 207-655-4492 FINANCE & INVESTMENT 516 Blackstrap Point Rd 20 Park Dr superioroffi [email protected] Falmouth, ME 04105 Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Rockland, ME 04841 www.superiormarineprod.com www.lobsterfrommaine.com [email protected] Andrew X Sankey 207-594-8181 www.clawdiassecret.com PO Box 400 GIFTS Maine Sea Grant University Of Maine hamiltonmarine.com Paul Anderson Bar Harbor, ME 04609 Elobsterman.com 5784 York Comples, Bldg 6 Eaton Trap Co Inc 207-288-3314 William Pierce Orono, ME 04469 Marty Eaton Discounts for MLA members 164 Wessagussett Rd 207-581-1422 12 Birchwood Rd Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co Weymouth, MA 02191 [email protected] Woolwich, ME 04579 Denise Brenner [email protected] Jacksons Hardware & Marine www.seagrant.umaine.edu 207-443-3617 25 Main St Lisa Corcoran www.elobsterman.com [email protected] PO Box 999 PO Box 287 Damariscotta, ME 04543 HYDRAULICS Penobscot Bay & River Pilots Assn Kittery, ME 03904 Jeffrey Cockburn Lund’s Fisheries Inc 207-563-8121 207-439-1133 David Brand www.damariscottabank.com Coastal Hydraulics Inc 48-2 Marshall Wharf 997 Ocean Dr Logtek Inc 28 Route 286 Belfast, ME 04915 Cape May, NJ 08204 Farm Credit of Maine ACA Tim Bourque & James Roy PO Box 2832 207-338-6600 609-884-7600 Robert Horne Box 98, RR 2 Seabrook, NH 03874 [email protected] dbrand@lundsfi sh.com 615 Minot Ave Tusket, NS BOW 3M0 Canada 603-474-1914 www.lundsfi sh.com Auburn, ME 04210 207-510-1763 or 888-840-1089 [email protected] Penobscot East Resource Center 207-784-0193 800-831-4230 [email protected], 10% discount for MLA members Robin Alden O’Hara Corportation [email protected] [email protected] PO Box 27 Wyatt Anderson www.farmcreditmaine.com www.logtek.com Hews Company LLC Stonington, ME 04681 120 Tillson Ave 190 Rumery St 207-367-2708 Rockland, ME 04841 Machias Savings Bank Maine Coast Petroleum, Inc South Portland, ME 04106 [email protected] 207-594-0405 4 Center St Dale O’Neal 207-767-2136 800-234-4397 www.penobscoteast.org [email protected] PO Box 318 PO Box 295 [email protected] Machias, ME 04654 Tenants Harbor, ME 04860 www.hewsco.com The Lobster Conservancy 207-255-3347 207-372-6962 Diane Cowan www.machiassavings.com [email protected] Lonnie’s Hydraulic Inc PO Box 235 Purse Line Bait Lawrence Staples Friendship, ME 04547 Jenni Bichrest Maine Financial Group Inc Midcoast Marine Supply 227 Middlesex Rd 207-832-8224 Bakers Wharf Rd Jim Amabile 153 New County Rd Topsham, ME 04086 [email protected] PO Box 276 PO Box 1689 Thomaston, ME 04861 207-725-7552 Sebasco Estates, ME 04565 Scarborough, ME 04074 207-594-0011 INSURANCE 207-389-9155 800-974-9995 800-974-9995 [email protected] Marine Hydraulic Engineering Co www.midcoastmarinesupply.com Rockland Industrial Park Atlantic Insurance & Benefi ts The First Michael Giles BOAT BROKERAGE Neptune Inc 17 Gordon Dr Sarah Matel 58 High St 39 Slater St Rockland, ME 04841 PO Box940 Belfast, ME 04915 Attleboro, MA 02703 207-594-9527 Novi Boat Brokers Damariscotta, ME 04543 207-338-9787 508-222-8313 800-642-7113 [email protected] 207-563-3195 800-564-3195 [email protected] Dane A Devine t.com [email protected] sarah.matel@the1s Rose’s Marine www.atlantic-insurance.com 21 Hawthorne St www.the1st.com www.neptune-inc.com Yarmouth, NS B5A 1K3 Don Favaloro SUPPLIERS Neptune Marine Products Inc 375 Main St Chapman & Chapman Canada PO Box1030 Atlantis Marine Gear Supply Inc Ed Wyman Gloucester, MA 01930 Damariscotta, ME 04543 902-742-7207 Boyd Jackson PO Box 17417 978-283-3334 800-283-3334 207-563-3143 800-370-3143 [email protected] 418 Boston St (RT 1) Seattle, WA 98127 [email protected] [email protected] www.noviboatbrokers.com Topsfi eld, MA 01983 206-789-3790 www.rosesmarine.com 978-887-0001 [email protected] ww.amgs.com www.neptunemarineproducts.com INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS Coastal Enterprises Inc Mega Life & Health Insurance DOCUMENTATION SERVICE 10% Discount to MLA Members New England Marine & Industrial Hugh S Cowperthwaite Rick Williams 200 Spaulding Turnpike 2 Portland Fish Pier, Suite 201 PO Box 74 Coastal Documentation Bath Lobster Supply Portsmouth, NH 03801 Portland, ME 04101 Prospect Harbor, ME 04669 111 Dennision Rd 340 State Rd, Suite B 603-436-2836 800-492-0779 207-772-5356 207-963-4111 Spruce Head, ME 04859 West Bath, ME 04530 [email protected] 207-386-3225 www.ceimaine.org [email protected] 207-596-6575 www.newenglandmarine.com [email protected] www.brookstrapmill.com www.coastaldocumentation.com BUSINESSES SUPPORTING AT THE HIGHLINER LEVEL ARE LISTED IN BOXES. 18 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION November 2009 Maine Lobstermens Association Member Business Listing Conary Cove Lobster Co Inc Island Seafood LLC Seaview Lobster Co Fishermen’s Voice Smithwick & Mariners Basil S Heanssler 32 Brook Dr Tom & Kevin Flanigan Mike Crowe Scott Smithwick 83 Conary Cove Rd Eliot, ME 03909 PO Box 291 PO Box 253 366 US Route One Deer Isle, ME 04627 207-439-8508 Kittery, ME 03904 Gouldsboro, ME 04607 Falmouth, ME 04105 207-348-6185 [email protected] 207-439-1599 207-963-7195 207-781-5553 800-370-1883 [email protected] [email protected] Cooks Lobster House ‘Keag Store www.seaviewlobster.com National Fisherman Norman Parent Sharon Allen Jerry Frazier Discounted vessel insurance for PO Box 12 PO Box 76 Shucks Maine Lobster 121 Free St MLA members. Additional 5% Bailey Island, ME 04003 South Thomaston, ME 04858 John Hathaway Portland, ME 04112 discount if you show proof of 207-833-6641 207-596-6957 150 Main St, Suite 4 Discounted subscription having completed a Coast Guard [email protected] Richmond, ME 04357 for MLA members approved Fishing Vessel Drill Con- Kent’s Lobster www.cookslobster.com 207-737-4800 ductor course within the last 5 years. David & Cynthia Niquette [email protected] 31 Steamboat Hill PRINTING Corea Lobster Cooperative www.shucksMaine.com LEGAL SERVICES Swans Island, ME 04685 Dwight Rodgers 207-526-4186 Olivers Print Shop PO Box 99 South Bristol Fishermens Coop Howard & Bowie Law Offi ce [email protected] Gary Gravel Corea, ME 04624 PO Box 63 Clayton Howard PO Box 667 207-963-7936 Kips Seafood Co South Bristol, ME 04568 PO Box 460 Damariscotta, ME 04543 [email protected] Karl St Crute Sr 207-644-8224 Damariscotta, ME 04543 207-563-5655 117 River Rd 207-563-3112 [email protected] Cozy Harbor Seafood Inc Cushing, ME 04563 Spruce Head Fishermen’s Coop John Norton 207-354-6265 Dave Sleeper Nicholas H Walsh PA PROPELLERS PO Box 389 275 Island Rd Nicholas “Nico” Walsh Portland, ME 04112 Lake Pemaquid Inc South Thomaston, ME 04858 111 Commerical St Accutech 207-879-2665 Clayton Howard 207-594-7980 Portland, ME 04101 Larry Kindberg [email protected] PO Box 967 [email protected] 207-772-2191 121 Lafayette Rd # 3 www.cozyharbor.com Damariscotta, ME 04543 [email protected] PO Box 1058 207-563-5202 N Hampton, NH 03862 Stonington Lobster Coop [email protected] 603-964-3682 LOBSTER HATCHERY PO Box 87 Craig’s All Natural LLC www.lakepemaquid.com [email protected] Stonington, ME 04681 Craig Rief www.accutechmarine.com Mount Desert Oceanarium 207-367-2286 25 Winecellar Rd Little Bay Lobster Inc 20% off propeller repair David Mills Durham, NH 03824 158 Shattuck Way [email protected] PO Box 696 603-397-5331 Newington, NH 03801 Soutwest Harbor, ME 04679 [email protected] 603-431-3170 207-288-5005 H & H Propellor Shop Inc www.craigsallnatural.com [email protected] 450A Bath Rd [email protected] Swans Island www.littlebaylobster.com Brunswick, ME 04011 Free admission to commercial Fishermens Coop 800-924-7767 fi shermen and their families Cranberry Isles Kathleen Clark Fishermens Coop Lobster Products Inc www.hhprop.com 64 Tidal Falls Rd PO Box 116 LOBSTER/SEAFOOD/ PO Box 258 Swans Island, ME 04685 Hancock, ME 04640 New England Propeller Inc Islesford, ME 04646 207-526-4327 WHOLESALE/RETAIL 207-422-6238 9 Apollo Eleven Rd 207-244-5438 [email protected] [email protected] Plymouth, MA 02360 Alfred Osgood 508-747-6666 PO Box 358 Maine Coast Seafood [email protected] Vinalhaven, ME 04863 F W Thurston Co Inc Glenn Wiley Vinalhaven Fishermens Coop www.neprop.com 207-863-0929 PO Box 178 PO Box 156 Carol Hamilton [email protected] Bernard, ME 04612 Spruce Head, ME 04859 11 Main St, Box 366 REFRIGERATION 207-244-3320 207-596-6481 Vinalhaven, ME 04863 [email protected] 207-863-2263 Atlantic Edge Lobster Finest Kind Scenic Cruises [email protected] Applied Refrigeration Services Edward Tibbetts Eleanor Hubbard Muscongus Bay Lobster 33 Northwood Dr 71 Atlantic Ave PO Box 1828 28 Landing Rd Weathervane Seafoods Inc Windham, ME 04062 Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 Ogunquit, ME 03907 Round Pound, ME 04564 Josh Sharp 207-893-0145 207-633-2300 [email protected] 207-529-2251 31 Badgers Island West [email protected] [email protected] www.fi nestkindcruises.com [email protected] Kittery, ME 03904 www.mainefreshlobster.com 207-439-0920 $250 off new installations Atwood Lobster Co [email protected] for MLA members PO Box 202 Island Rd Friendship Lobster Coop Pemaquid Fishermen’s Coop www.weathervaneseafoods.com Spruce Head, ME 04859 PO Box 307 PO Box 152 207-596-6691 RESTAURANTS Friendship, ME 04547 New Harbor, ME 04554 www.atwoodlobster.com 207-832-4435 207-677-2801 MARINE ENGINES [email protected] Barnacle Billys Inc Bayleys Lobster Pound Cummins Northeast Inc PO Box 837 Bill Bayley Port Clyde Lobster Steve Savage Georgetown Fishermen’s Coop Ogunquit, ME 03907 PO Box 304 Linda Bean 10 Gibson Rd 89 Moores Tpke 207-646-5575 Scarborough, ME 04070 PO Box 239 Scarborough, ME 04074 Georgetown, ME 04548 [email protected] 207-883-4571 Port Clyde, ME 04855 207-883-8155 207-371-2950 www.barnbilly.com [email protected] 207-372-8520 [email protected] www.bayleys.com Glens Lobster Co [email protected] www.marine.cummins.com 12 Abner Point Rd Beals Jonesport Coop Inc Bailey Island, ME 04003 Portland Shellfi sh Co. Milton Cat Bowdoin College Dining Services Steve Peabody 207-833-6138 92 Waldron Way Stewart Tuttle Jon Wiley PO Box 195 [email protected] Portland, ME 04103 PO Box 960 3700 College Station Jonesport, ME 04649 207-767-1625 Scarborough, ME 04070 Brunswick, ME 04011 207-497-2020 Harrigan’s Seafood Co www.pshellfi sh.com 207-833-9586 207-725-3432 [email protected] Rachelle & Chuck Gerry [email protected] [email protected] 218 Back Belmont Rd www.miltoncat.com The Clam Shack Bucks Harbor Shopping Mall Belfast, ME 04915 Port Lobster Co Inc Lana Webb 207-930-9060 Steve Kingston PO Box 729 Northern Lights/Lugger PO BOX 34 [email protected] PO Box 620C Kennebunkport, ME 04046 8 Connector Rd Machiasport, ME 04655 www.harrigansseafood.com Kennebunkport, ME 04046 207-967-2081 Andover, MA 01810 207-255-3418 207-967-3321 [email protected] 978-475-7400 800-762-0166 [email protected] HR Beal & Sons Inc [email protected] www.portlobster.com [email protected] Samn Beal www.theclamshack.net www.northern-lights.com 182 Clark Point Rd Post Brothers Inc Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 PO Box 541 SAFETY TRAINING Cape Porpoise Lobster Co Inc Rockland, ME 04841 207-244-3202 NEWSPAPERS Allen Daggett [email protected] 207-594-5824 McMillan Offshore Survivial Training 184 Beachwood Ave www.bealslobster.com 148 Waterville Rd Quahog Lobster Inc Commercial Fisheries News Kennebunkport, ME 04046 Belfast, ME 04915 Robert Waddle Box 37, Stonington, ME 04681 207-967-0900 Interstate Lobster Inc 207-338-1603 5 Lobster Lane 207-367-2396 800-989-5253 [email protected] PO Box 269 [email protected] Harpswell, ME 04079 sjones@fi sh-news.com; www.capeporpoiselobster.com Harpswell, ME 04079 www.mcmillanoffshore.com 207-725-6222 www.fi sh-news.com/cfn 207-833-5516 10% discount on USCG Drill [email protected] Discounted subscription for Conductor Certifi cation MLA members November 2009 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 19

MLA Buy/ Sell/ Swap Member

Business ADVERTISE YOUR STUFF HERE. Listing Classifi eds are $20. MLA members get 1 free 20-word listing a month. SALT 2005 90cc Dinli youth ATV 1400 miles, Maine Salt Company reverse, electric start. Great shape, My kid 677 Coldbrook Rd has outgrown it. $600. 207-259-3949 Hermon, ME 04401 207-848-3796 [email protected] 35’ Mitchell Cove, New 265 John www.mainesalt.com Deere, many extras, $110,000. Motivated seller before Dec 1st. Reasonable offers considered. 207-372-0610 TRADE SHOWS Trailer. Hudson Brothers 5-Ton, Dou- Diversifi ed Business Communications ble Axle. 24’ LOA, 18’ on deck. PO Box 7437 Portland, ME 04112 2 5/16” hitch. Electric brakes and 207-842-5500 breakaway. $1600. 207-450-5534 [email protected] www.divbusiness.com One-story ranch for sale in West Bath – has garage, deck, 3BR, 2 minutes to water Maine Fishermens Forum Chilloa Young – seller VERY motivated – 442-8277; 725- PO Box 288 3432 Bath, ME 04530 207-442-7700 chilloa@mefi shcoop.org Email your classifi eds to hanna@main- TRAP BUILDERS/ SUPPLIES elobstermen.org. Checks made out to Maine Lobstermen’s Association can be Branch Brook Farm mailed to: Ralph Dean 26 Sawmill Lane Maine Lobstermen’s Association Thomaston, ME 04861 21 Western Ave, # 1 207-354-8123 Kennebunk, ME 04043 [email protected]

Brooks Trap Mill Stephen Brooks 211 Beechwood St Thomaston, ME 04861 Events Calendar 207-354-8763 [email protected]

Eaton Trap Co Inc Marty Eaton 12 Birchwood Rd November 4 MLA Directors meeting, Woolwich, ME 04579 207-443-3617 5pm, Belfast [email protected] November 9 Lobster Advisory Council, 4pm Hallowell Friendship Trap Company 570 Cushing Rd Friendship, ME 04547 November 9 NEFMC Herring Adviso- 207-354-2545 800-451-1200 ry, Portsmouth [email protected] www.friendshiptrap.com November 10 Joint NEFMC/ASMFC Herring Meeting, Portsmouth Portland Trap 26-28 Union Wharf Nov 12 Science and Statistical Commit- Portland, ME 04101 tee noon, conference call. The public can 800-244-8727 dial in. Call 967-4555 a week ahead of time [email protected] www.brookstrapmill.com to fi nd out how.

Riverdale Mills Corp November 16 Zone G meeting, 6pm, James Knott Scarborough 130 Riverdale St PO Box 200 Northbridge, MA 01534 November 17-18 North Atlantic Right 508-234-8715 800-762-6374 Whale Consortium Annual Meeting New [email protected] Bedford Whaling Museum, MA www.riverdale.com November 17-19 – New England Coun- Shepherd Lobster Wire Company cil Meeting, Newport, RI 343 Park St Rockland, ME 04841 December 2 MLA Directors meeting, 207-594-6123 [email protected] 5pm, Belfast www.ceshepherd.com 20 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION November 2009 Maine lobstermen receive lobster industry newsletter ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE MLA 2008-2009

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association of the MLA. “And legislators and lobster- (MLA) has announced the launch of a men can track the advocacy work the MLA monthly newspaper-format publication – GUIDED LOBSTERMEN THROUGH THE ECONOMIC CRISIS does on behalf of Maine lobstermen.” dedicated to Maine’s lobster industry – that “We feel it’s extremely important dur- will go out to all of Maine’s roughly 5,800 • Helped lobstermen learn about and apply for special industry loans and ing these times for everyone to be educated lobstermen. programs and informed,” said David Cousens, presi- Legislators, fi sheries managers, and ma- • Pushed for ways for lobster industry leaders and offi cials to advance the dent of the MLA and a lobsterman from rine businesses will also receive the news- economic well-being of the lobster industry South Thomaston. “Fishermen need to be letter—helping them keep a fi nger on aware of all of the issues.” the pulse of the hopes and struggles of FOUGHT FOR A STEADY BAIT SUPPLY Since 1954, the MLA has advocated for Maine’s lobstermen. a sustainable lobster resource and for the Every month, the newsletter will feature • Advocated for tools that gave herring managers the ability to extend her- fi shermen and communities that depend in-depth reporting on issues signifi cant to ring quota through the Fall when the lobster industry needs it most on it. lobstermen and Maine’s coastal commu- Business sponsors make the increased nities. It will also include interviews with PUSHED FOR COMMON-SENSE WHALE RULES production and distribution of the news- lobstermen, profi les of different harbors, letter possible; Smithwick and Mariners and letters. • Defended against trap reduction as a means to reduce vertical line risk Insurance sponsored the inaugural issue of Market woes and increased regulation • Worked with scientists to study whale sitings and fi shing strategies. This the newsletter. are shaking up the traditional world of the data can lead to better whale rules Anyone interested in learning more Maine lobster industry. Now Maine lob- about the lobster industry can become a stermen have a tool to stay informed, share EXPANDED WORKING WATERFRIONT FUNDING member and receive the newsletter. Sub- information, and have their voices heard. scription rates will also be available. Call “The newsletter can help lobstermen • Our participation in the Working Waterfront Coalition helped make fund- (207) 967-4555 for more information. start conversations and share opinions,” ing available to permanently preserve working waterfronts said Patrice McCarron, Executive Director INCREASED COMMUNICATION EFFORTS

• We upgraded our newsletter to serve you. Now you can be the fi rst to know what is happening in the lobster industry.