Vol. 20, No. 4 – April 2015 News & Comments for and by the Fishermen of Maine FREE
BUILDING A WOODEN LOBSTER BOAT, Part II See page 13
INSIDE 4 Elver Quota 6 Student Skippers at Forum 7 Awesome Year 10 “New-shells” Star Fishermen’s Voice photo Voice Fishermen’s 11 Letter to NS Premier Dipper Harbor, New Brunswick, Canada March, 2015. Rafts are used to store lobster traps in a harbor with a lot of big boats. Dipper Harbor in southwest New Brunswick has a few lobster processing plants. A cold snowy winter is expected to effect the Fishermen’s Forum in Photos early lobster season. The Lobstermen’s Town Meeting was held in St. John’s, New Brunswick this year. One of the lead topics 12 discussed was climate change and the lobster fishery. See page 15. 14 Nicholas Walsh, PA 15 Lobstermen’s Town Meeting Cod Extinction Unlikely 18 Wear and Tear By Laurie Schreiber Capt. Mark ROCKPORT—Gulf of Maine cod Cod has one of the highest egg should be taken off the table in 19 is in trouble. But it’s not on the counts of any bony fish, so if there management talks about Gulf of Lee S. Wilbur verge of extinction. is any fish that is resilient to ex- Maine cod. Instead, he said, the 20 “We want cod to be around for- focus should be on how to avoid 22 Maine Boatbuilders Show ever. That’s fine, but I would con- If there is any fish that is low recruitment in order to meet tend that is not a problem,” said the ultimate objective of rebuild- resilient to extinction, it’s cod. 23 Back Ten Steve Cadrin, a professor of fish- ing cod for fishery production. eries oceanography at the UMass “Even at these high fishing More News & Photos at School for Marine Science and tinction, it’s cod.” mortalities, cod is still sustain- Technology. “When we look at ma- Speaking at the Maine Fish- able,” he said. “It’s far from opti- fishermensvoice.com rine bony fish, fishing has never ermen’s Forum in early March, Contact: 207-963-7195 forced any species to go extinct. Cadrin said the idea of extinction See COD EXTINCTION on page 8 info@fishermensvoice.com Remember the Maine The Sinking of the Battleship Maine
PAID By Tom Seymour Permit #65 #65 Permit PRST STD U.S. Postage Who hasn’t heard the rallying
Brunswick, ME 04011 cry, “Remember the Maine?” And as a constant reminder of the ill-fated, American battleship, the original scroll and shield stands mounted on a life-size replica of her bow in Bangor’s Davenport Park.
Those aboard affirmed that they definitely heard two explosions.
The Spanish-American War, or as it was known at the time, “Amer- ica’s War With Spain,” seems out of
sight and out of mind for most peo- NARA photo ple. And yet, it was only in the last The Maine was sunk at a mooring in Havana Harbor on February, 8, 1898. The explosion(s) in the forward munitions and coal bunkers piled the wreckage visible decade or so that a tax on our tel- in this photograph. Naval personnel can be seen rowing past in the foreground, left. Fishermen’s Voice P.O. Box 253 Gouldsboro, ME 04607 One of the Maine’s two smokestacks lies crumpled on the deck center. Square rigged
See REMEMBER on page 16 vessel’s masts are visible in the background. Page 2 Fishermen’s Voice April 2015 FROM THE CROWE’S NEST Dr. Brian Rothschild On the 40th Anniversary Appointed Hjort Scholar The high point of this year’s beyond standing room. Young stu- Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rock- dents presented the results of their Distinguished marine scientist marine ecosystem dynamics” ac- port was the Skippers Program work from a podium in a room Brian Rothschild, president and cording to the letter informing the presentation on Friday. More than mostly filled with strangers. CEO of the Center for Sustainable professor of the award. It includes anything in memory from past After the presentations, some Fisheries recently received news a grant in the amount of 50.000 years at the forum, this program’s parents spoke of their kids’ enthu- from Norway of his appointment Norwegian krone, or about $7000, presentation spoke to the siasm for the projects they as a Hjort Scholar. New Bedford and comes following an October deep roots and social impor- were involved in. Their kids resident Dr. Rothschild is known address Dr. Rothschild gave at a tance of fishing and coastal were coming home and en- internationally for his work in fish- symposium in Bergen in conjunc- life in Maine. gaging parents in discussions eries science tion with the 100th anniversary The Skippers Program en- of their project. One parent The Hjort Centre for Marine of the publication of Hjort’s impor- gages middle and high school reported her D-average son Ecosystem Dynamics in, Ber- tant book Fluctuations in the Great students in hands-on study had become fully engaged in gen which extended the honor is Fisheries of Northern Europe. and research in coastal wa- the project, began speak- named for Norwegian fisheries Dr. Rothschild is also Profes- ters. These are the waters ing highly of school and was scientist Johan Hjort (1869-1948), sor Emeritus and founding Dean their families work on every now a B student. the preeminent marine scientist of the UMass Dartmouth School day. The waters many of them see Some of these kids may grow and oceanographer of his era and for Marine Science and Technol- everyday. The waters to which up to be fishermen, or marine bi- the first to apply statistical meth- ogy. He now heads the non-profit some of their families have for gen- ologists or something else. More ods to the study of fish populations. Center for Sustainable Fisheries, erations been economically, socially importantly, they have developed Recipients of Hjort Scholar- an organization dedicated to the and emotionally connected. This an interest in education and the im- ships are scientists whose research conservation of our fisheries and intertwining of life, work and envi- mediate world around them. The is “deemed to promote scientific the economic development of our ronment is who fishing families are. world of their parents and what innovation and understanding of fishing communities. ! The fishing culture in Maine is may be the world of their children. uniquely alive and uniquely im- They express feelings of being con- portant in modern America. Real nected at an early age in a way they fishing villages where independ- can measure. MANAGING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING ent fishermen are the primary base “His view of education—he’s Mike Crowe WRITERS of the local economy and culture. a totally different kid,” said one Steve Cartwright Where history, continuity and op- mother speaking about her son’s Kittridge Johnson STAFF WRITERS portunity are maintained. participation in the program. “For Bernice Johnson Mike Crowe Skipper’s Program students our community, it’s amazing what published monthly by Tom Seymour ONE WING PUBLISHING, INC. Paul Molyneaux worked to find a solution to a real it’s done.” The presentation was a Lee S. Wilbur P.O. Box 253 ecological problem on the coast. rare moment of family, community, Gouldsboro, ME 04607 culture, and humanity. It could not SALES MANAGER They created proposals that might 207-963-7195 • Fax 207-963-7159 LAYOUT/ Mike Crowe PRODUCTION mitigate the impact of burgeon- have been a more fitting and mov- Email: [email protected] Joline Edwards ing green crab populations and ing event for the 40th anniversary http://www.fishermensvoice.com presented them to a room packed of the Fishermen’s Forum. ! The MSHS Dealers Work For You
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ROCKPORT—In 2014, landings 2013 of nearly $1,000. It was definitely a battle and it for Maine’s elver fishery were In 2012, fishermen harvested took a lot of time.” constrained for the first time by 21,600 pounds of the valuable el- “The ASMFC was bound and an overall state quota, set by the vers, earning $40.3 million. determined we were going to take Atlantic States Marine Fisheries a cut,” agreed MEFA member Jef- Commission (ASMFC) at 11,749 “The most important thing frey Pierce. “When the conserva- pounds. you need to do is invest in an tion easements and credits come Fishermen ended up catching oxygen meter.” into play, we should be getting 9,690 pounds, leaving some of the more quota back. I know it’s tough quota in the water. The catch was – Mike Pietrak to look at another reduction this an 8,000-pound decrease from year.” 2013’s catch of 18,076 pounds. Earlier this year, the ASMFC The ASMFC reductions re- Value, in 2014, decreased by imposed another quota reduction. sponded to the findings of the 2012 more than $24 million, from $32.9 The Maine Elver Fishermen’s As- benchmark stock assessment, million to $8.4 million, attributed sociation (MEFA) negotiated a which indicated the American eel in part to the quota constraint and reduction of only 12 percent, to population in U.S. waters is de- a decline in per-pound value from 9,688 pounds, an amount that pleted. According to information nearly matches 2014’s landings. from the Department of Marine That quota is set for the 2015- Resources (DMR), causes of de- EXHAUST 2017 seasons, subject to re-evalu- cline are likely due to a combina- ation prior to the start of the 2018 tion of factors, including historical BLANKETS fishing season. overfishing, habitat loss, food web The ASMFC’s initial quota pro- alterations, predation, turbine posal was 5,300 pounds. MEFA mortality, environmental chang- member Darrell Young expressed es, toxins and contaminants, and
INFAB satisfaction with MEFA’s ne- disease. photo Laurie Schreiber SPECIALTY MARINE gotiations that resulted in the At the DMR’s public hearings FABRICATOR Mike Pietrak, a scientist at the University 9,688-pound quota. “I’d say we in February 2015 to discuss the of Maine/Orono’s Aquaculture Research made out all right,” Young said 2015 season, there were pro and Institute, explains how to use an oxygen (207) 786-0004 during MEFA’s annual meeting, con comments about the new quo- meter to optimize water quality for the www.infabrefractories.com at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum ta. According to the DMR’s hear- transfer of elvers. in early March. “I know we all ing transcription, some represent- • In a joint email, Darrell Young, Maine Made Lewiston, ME took cuts. We were all pretty un- ative communications included: Angela Young, Julie Keene and happy about how it went. But the • “In general, I’m in support,” said Soundown Distributor Adam Boutin asked for an alloca- overall picture looks pretty good. William Milliken of Jonesport. tion of individual quotas based on
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1- Ê->viÌÞÊëiVÌÊ-Ì>ÌÊÎÓÇ • More ordering and delivery options for unparalleled part availability. ÀÊL>À`Ê6iÃÃiÊëiVÌÃÊEÊ->viÌÞÊ Àà >ÊÕÀÊ1- Ê iÀÌwi`Ê ÀÊ `ÕVÌÀÃ\ Contacts: (in ME, NH, VT) Stewart Tuttle, 207-885-8082, [email protected] ,`iÞÊÛ> 508-889-0401 (in MA, RI) Kevin Hampson, 508-634-5503, [email protected] /i`Ê7>à 508-264-5779 *, ÊUÊ->iÃÊEÊ-iÀÛVi ACR & Paines Wessex Page 6 Fishermen’s Voice April 2015 Eastern Maine Skippers Program Students Present at Fishermen’s Forum ROCKPORT—Green crabs were the impact green crabs may or may the subject when more than 65 not have on the lobster industry. teachers and students presented George Stevens Academy surprised to a standing-room-only audience everyone when they described a at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum partnership they have already bro- on Friday, March 6th. The group, kered with two local golf courses this year’s Eastern Maine Skip- where they can experiment with a pers Program students, came from green crab fertilizer the students six coastal high schools: Deer Isle- are developing. Stonington, George Stevens Acade- After the presentations, the my, Jonesport-Beals, Narraguagus, floor was opened up to questions North Haven and Vinalhaven. The for the schools and comments/ques- students provided in-depth scien- tions about the program. A parent tific details of their proposed final brought the room to tears when she projects. stated “Since joining the Skippers As part of Eastern Maine Skip- program this year my son has gone pers Program’s (EMSP) year-long from D’s to B’s and talks my ear off collaborative project investigating at home about what they have been the green crabs, students have be- working on in class. I want to thank gun to conduct monitoring studies all of the EMSP teachers and staff to determine how prevalent the in- for providing this opportunity from vasive species is in their local com- my son.” munities before researching, de- This then began a wonderful signing, and presenting a solution round of applause for all the teach- to the green crab “invasion.” The ers and students during which John students’ solutions must take into Williams, a Stonington fishermen,
account successfully mitigating the stood up to address the teachers of photo Voice Fishermen’s green crabs’ impact on the local en- EMSP, “I just want to thank all of vironment, exploration of new mar- the teachers who are involved with Deer Isle-Stonington High School Skippers Program students presenting the results kets, management of the species as EMSP and express my gratitude for of their research to a packed conference room at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum on a potential resource, and efficiently what you are doing for these stu- March 6, 2015. Their school was one of six in the Eastern Maine Skippers Program. harvesting green crabs. dents. We know you are going above now put their proposals into action potential solutions to the “green The presentations began with and beyond normal teacher duties and present their findings to a pan- crab invasion”, students are having an assessment of the overall green and asking for nothing in return.” el of judges in May. an opportunity to learn and prac- crab problem and explained why The Eastern Maine Skippers’ tice important skills such as active the students have taken on this “Since joining the Skippers trip to this year’s Maine Fisher- citizenship, public speaking, inter- problem for EMSP’s year-long pro- program this year, my son has men’s Forum was made possible preting and using data, and applied ject. Each of the schools took turns gone from D’s to B’s and talks through the generous support of science and engineering that will explaining which direction they de- Camden National Bank. Funds prepare them for modern fishing cided to take their project. The pro- my ear off at home about provided by the Bank helped cover careers as well as post-secondary posals ranged from new trap design what they have been working the school costs of transportation, education. The project has fur- from Narraguagus to “crab ran- on in class.” food, and substitutes for the stu- ther application beyond their high goons” and green crab sushi rolls – EMSP parent dents and teachers attending the school education; however, as stu- from Jonesport-Beals. Vinalhaven event. In addition, representatives dents are conducting “real world” and Deer Isle-Stonington students from Camden National’s commer- research that communities can use both talked about how EMSP has The overall mood in the room cial lending team sat in on the stu- as they seek to sustain the fishing changed their school experience was one of appreciation, pride, and dents’ presentations and provided economies that are so important to and expressed gratitude for having pure joy of watching these amaz- feedback on the viability each of the Downeast communities. this program in their schools. Deer ing students present to a standing business ideas. Isle-Stonington will be exploring room only crowd. The students will By investigating the scope of and About the Eastern Maine Skippers Program In 2012, Deer Isle Stonington High School and Penobscot East Re- source Center, a Stonington-based New England Propeller organization dedicated to a fishing future for Eastern Maine Commu- nities, collaborated to create the Factory Repair Station Over 4,000 Eastern Maine Skippers Program. Shafting EMSP is a regional program which for All Makes and Propellers in Stock aims to provide aspiring com- Types of Propellers mercial fishermen in schools from Drive North Haven to Eastport the skills Savers Hale MRI Top 10 Distributor 3D Computerized needed to be successful fishermen in a time of rapid environmental for Federal Flexible Scanning and and regulatory change. A cohort of Couplings Michigan Wheel Dynamic Balancing more than 50 students from Vinal- haven, North Haven, Deer Isle- • Michigan 3 Blade Dyna-Jets • Fuel Tanks Fabricated to Stonington, MDI, Narraguagus, Godfrey-Camp • Four Blade DQX + Dyna Quads USCG Specs. and Jonesport-Beals High Schools Zincs as well as George Stevens Academy • Five Blade Hi-Torq Michigan Buck-Algonquin • Duramax-Cutless Bearings Rudders — remain in their schools and collabo- • Aluminum & Stainless Outboard • Sierra Engine Parts Stuffing Boxes rate in the program via technology- & I.O. Propellers • PSS Mechanical Seals based “anytime, anywhere” learn- ing. Students also meet in person Check out our shipping rates!!! 2 Days to Alaska. Overnight to Maine!!! 3-4 times per year to participate in events such as meetings with the 9 Apollo Eleven Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360 • 800-635-9504 Fax 508-746-8804 Department of Marine Resources www.neprop.com • E-mail: [email protected] and the Maine Fishermen’s Forum. –EMSP press release. ! April 2015 Fishermen’s Voice Page 7 2014 “An Awesome Year” for Lobster Fishermen By Laurie Schreiber
ROCKPORT—Although lobster of high landings. Overall, the resource has ex- 2013 for a total of 584,173 pounds. landings for 2014 were on par with In 2012, the boat price was panded “dramatically” since the At $7,464,690, the value of the 2013 and 2012, fishermen earned generally lower than $3. In 2014, late 1980s, particularly in eastern fishery increased by more than almost $90 million more in 2014 the boat price averaged $3.50, and Maine in the last 10 years, due $1.8 million.” than they did in 2013. was above $4 in Zone G, the west- to “favorable environmental con- “Two thousand fourteen was ernmost zone. The change may ditions for growth and reduced Maine’s 438 active licensed an awesome year,” Maine Lobster- have been partly due to a shift in predation on small lobsters,” said (scallop) draggers and divers men’s Association executive direc- the landings cycle, said McCarron. DMR Marine Science Bureau Di- tor Patrice McCarron said during In 2012, landings spiked in June, rector Carl Wilson. landed an additional 78,335 the MLA’s annual meeting at the and were similarly strong in July Wilson said, “2014 marked a meat pounds. Maine Fishermen’s Forum in early and August. In 2014, landings return to near average levels of March. “You guys were making from June through August were settlement after three successive Additional DMR information money. Value is where the story is.” lower, and spiked up from Septem- years of low settlement, which was • Maine’s softshell clam fishery According to preliminary data ber through November. a favorable pattern change for the grew by more than $1.1 million to released Feb. 26 by the Depart- resource.” $19.2 million, even while landings ment of Marine Resources, “For The largest one-year increase The substantial increase in declined by more than 1.5 million the third year in a row and only in per-pound value since lobster value contributed to an in- pounds, dropping from 11.2 mil- the third time ever, Maine lobster crease in value overall for Maine’s lion pounds in 2013 to 9.7 million fishermen landed over 120 million DMR and National Marine commercially harvested marine re- pounds. pounds with a record overall value Fisheries Service began sources, which generated over one- • Landings for Maine’s elver fish- of $456,935,346….At $3.69 per keeping records. half billion dollars for the state’s ery, constrained for the first time pound, the 123,676,100 pounds economy, according to prelimi- by an overall state quota, declined landed represented an improve- “We shifted June and July land- nary data released March 5 by the by more than 8,000 pounds, from ment of 79 cents per pound over ings to September and October, DMR. That represents a jump by 18,076 pounds in 2013 to 9,690 2013, the largest one-year increase and you made more,” McCarron more than $44 million over 2013. pounds. Value decreased by more in per-pound value since DMR and told the audience of fishermen. “So Also contributing to the overall than $24 million to a total of $8.4 National Marine Fisheries Service the landings were a wash, but the increase was an additional $1.8 million attributed in part to the began keeping records. The one- value climbed. Shifting from the million in the value of scallops, the quota constraint and a decline year increase in overall value was early to the late part of the season DMR said. in per-pound value from 2013 of also the largest on record and at made the difference.” “Maine’s scallop fishery also nearly $1,000. The decline moved $86,653,573 was more than the According to the DMR, the 2012 saw another year of increased the elver fishery from second most total value of the fishery 21 years season saw an early shed that cre- landings and value as it continues valuable to fourth. earlier.” ated a supply of new-shell lobsters to rebuild from an all-time low of • The softshell clam fishery re- The scenario was a significant that exceeded demand and de- 33,000 pounds landed in 2005,” claimed its position as the second contrast to 2012, when fishermen pressed value. In 2014, the shed the DMR said. “Maine’s 438 ac- most valuable commercial fishery. were socked with a low boat price, happened later, allowing proces- tive licensed draggers and divers • Atlantic herring, valued at $16.3 although the fishery’s overall val- sors, dealers, and restaurants to landed an additional 78,335 meat million was the third most valu- ue that year held steady because handle them more profitably. pounds (without the shell) over able fishery in 2014. !
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COD EXTINCTION from page 1 ment frequently enough. There have been abrupt changes in per- mal. We’re not getting as much ception. We have arbitrarily rapid yield out of cod as we can. But expectations of rebuilding and ar- we really need to take extinction bitrarily high rebuilding targets.” and unsustainability off the table Cadrin urged further scrutiny as far as arguments go. What we of the science. should be doing is managing to- “I don’t think we should be ward optimum yield.” shutting down fisheries until we Cadrin said efforts to rebuild uncover every rock in our assess- Gulf of Maine cod have been ham- ment and make sure we’re get- pered by a disconnect between ting it right,” he said. “But we also data and the models used to in- need to scrutinize the assessment terpret the data.“What we need to to identify the problems and de- remind ourselves is, data are real. velop solutions. One of the pri- Either a fisherman held that fish, mary problems is, with such low or a scientist observed those fish catch, we need better survey infor- on deck. If the data don’t agree mation.” with the model, I would question Cadrin advocated for more sur- the model, rather than question vey stations throughout the year the data,” Cadrin said. “These sampling all cod habitat. models have a lot of subjective But until the science has im- decisions, and for some of these proved, he said, managers and decisions there’s no clear right or fishermen need to come up with wrong and there are valid alterna- solutions to deal with the current tives for each.” decisions being made. Sectors At the same time, he said, the have been in the throes of trying information available from fishery to sustain their fisheries, but be- surveys is often too noisy to draw Giacalone said the problem is not with the models, but with the data, particularly cause of limits on codfishing, have conclusions that will help inform given the fraction of ocean covered by the federal trawl survey. “It’s not about whether only been able to catch about 30 they’re going in the right place or not. It’s about how much sampling occurs,” he said, management decisions. citing “a hundredth of a percent” of swept area sampled for 20 minutes once a year. percent of the total groundfish al- “Cod fishermen have been ask- location. ing me for years, ‘Are the low stock ference.’ If you have good surveys, too few stations that are not fish- “There’s so much multispecies sizes the result of not allowing us they should be able to tell if that ing around the year enough to tell not being caught,” he said. “How to catch many fish? ‘My default low catch is from low fishing mor- whether low catches are coming can the fleet catch more of that al- answer is, ‘A good stock assess- tality or from a low stock size. I from a low population size or from location while staying within the ment should be able to tell the dif- conclude our current surveys have low fishing mortality.” limits? Those are the solutions we The most recent Gulf of Maine need work on together.” cod assessment said that overfish- ing is occurring, the stock is over- Gloucester, MASS. www.rosesmarine.com Rose Marine fished, and the stock cannot meet If we’re looking for cause (of rebuilding objectives even with no over fishing), it’s scientific 877-283-3334 fishing. uncertainty. “But that doesn’t mean there’s Visit us at the Maine Fishermens’ Forum for Great Deals! any threat of extinction,” Cadrin Mufflers and Exhaust Marine Pumps & said. He continued, “The crisis is “More and more fishermen are components Parts of all types not a result of irresponsible man- scared to death about being able agement or excessive fishing. The to harvest their other stocks,” said managers have followed the scien- Vito Giacalone, chair of govern- Quality Oil Coolers tific advice. The fishermen have mental affairs for the Northeast Made in the U.S.A. stayed within their catch limits. Seafood Coalition. “When we’re Flush Mount Deck You hear these terms ‘overfish- at such a low level, as we are with Hatches Authorized TELEFLEX ing,’ ‘overfished,’ and it implies the Gulf of Maine cod right now, it is Repair Facility fishermen have been the cause of less of an economic factor where the problem. If we’re looking for the industry is trying to land cause, it’s scientific uncertainty. more cod, because the difference We haven’t updated the assess- between 500 tons and 1,000 tons isn’t whether you have a cod fish- ery or don’t have a cod fishery. It’s whether you go to work and catch other stocks or not.” Giacalone said the problem is not with the models, but with the data, particularly given the frac- tion of ocean covered by the fed- eral trawl survey. “It’s not about whether they’re going in the right place or not. It’s about how much sampling occurs,” he said, citing “a hundredth of a percent” of swept area sampled for 20 minutes once a year. The survey is inadequate given the complex bottom geog- raphy, complex species, and ad- ditional factors such as feed and changing water conditions. “It seems to me it’s an incred- ible crapshoot to try to divine relative abundance only from the trawl survey,” Giacalone said. “There’s a lot of stuff we can get out of the survey that we can’t get out of something else, but we need another way to look at whether the trawl survey is giving us the right relative abundance or is it a April 2015 Fishermen’s Voice Page 9 Statistical Weakness of NMFS Groundfish Surveys Criticized By Mike Crowe Gloucester ground fisherman el driven assessment conclusions and models. The planned assessment cod was at 3 percent of its “normal” and fishing industry advocate Vito fishery-dependent data. “There is no would be announced. A formal peer stock level. Giacalone addressed what he de- plausible explanation for the dispar- review would be scheduled, which At that point, said Giacalone, scribed as the “statistical weak- ity between what the assessment could be many months in the future, there was no getting the genie ness” of National Marine Fisheries says about the cod stocks and what with peer reviewers typically being back in the bottle. Service (NMFS) trawl survey data fishermen see on the water,” he said. third-party scientists from around Giacalone said the amount of for inter-annual relative abun- The composition of different market the world. data gained from NMFS trawl sur- dance changes for Gulf of Maine class sizes in the landings remains However, the experimental as- veys is low compared to the volume cod and other groundfish stocks. stable. This, Giacalone said, would of fisheries-based data. Giacalone said the departure not be the case if the assessment con- This would not be the case if “We are not debating quality,” from using commercial catch per clusions were correct. the assessment conclusions he said. We’re stressing the sta- unit of effort (CPUE) data and and Further compounding the al- were correct. tistical weakness of the survey too great a reliance on the sparse ready contentious relationship was and hoping to reopen the discus- stock sampling of the Northeast the highly criticized decision by the sion around looking at existing Fishery Science Center’s (NEFSC) NEFSC to use Gulf of Maine Cod as sessment, conducted by the NEFSC commercial data to find compara- annual trawl surveys that is driving a test subject for expediting updated in Woods Hole, Mass., “was unsched- tive measures. “Compared to the the “disastrous” reductions in what assessments. Responding to calls for uled, unannounced and not trans- NMFS trawl survey boat, com- fishermen are allowed to catch. shortening the time to produce more parent,” said Giacalone. mercial boats generate much more Giacalone, a 35-year veteran of timely assessments, the NEFSC News of the experimental assess- data. The question is, how do we the Gloucester, Mass., groundfish conducted an experimental assess- ment spun out of control and the utilize this enormous database fleet and executive director of the ment process. results were almost immediately that is currently being dismissed Gloucester Fishing Community Traditionally, the assessment pro- broadcast as gospel, said Giacalone, for this purpose? Can’t the com- Preservation Fund, said there is a cess involved an open discussion of with the mainstream press broad- mercial data be compared to the disconnect between computer mod- the data to be run through computer casting NMFS’s soundbite that GOM trawl survey data?” !
Average commercial fshing tow: Federal and 200' wide X 12 miles long. Commercial Trawl An active commercial fshing trawler Data Scale will make 550 tows annually. Comparisons
NMFS Trawl Survey 100' wide X 1 mile long. This one mile tow is typical of the 65 to 85 trawl survey tows made by NMFS annually in the Gulf of Maine.
CHART A: Rectangles and the triangle mark areas closed to commercial fishing. Small squares indicate to scale NMFS one mile long Trawl Survey tows. They CHART B: The enlargement of a NMFS Trawl Survey tow – line within oval above. appear as squares to be visible at this scale. Commercial fishing vessel trawler The scale and volume from this 100' x one mile NMFS Trawl Survey tow is compared tows range from 2-1/2 hours to 6 hours and are from 150 ft to 300 ft wide. The to an average commercial vessel tow – 4-hour commercial tow would be 200' x 12 area in the circle with the arrow above is enlarged at right, Chart B. Data on these miles long. The thickness of the lines describing the tow widths are not to scale. The charts is provided by Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund. lengths are to scale. An active commercial trawler would make more than 550 trawler tows a year compared to the NMFS annual 65 to 85 GOM Trawl Survey tows. good true abundance index.” Average commercial fshing tow: Giacalone advocatedFederal for better and 200' wide X 12 miles long. use of fishery-dependentCommercial data in Trawl An active commercial fshing vessel the assessment. Data Scale Helpingwill make 550 tows LifeFlight a year. help us. But Michael Palmer, an assess- ment scientist with theComparisons Northeast LifeFlight of Maine has two medical rescue helicopters. A third is Fisheries Science Center, said the urgently needed, fully equipped. assessment model does use fish- ery data. Every dollar helps toward the remaining $3.2 million needed to “One of the bigger signals we make the new $6.5 million medically see is truncation of size and age equipped “lobster chopper” a reality structure, both in the commercial in 2015. Donations of all sizes are tax deductible and time pledges are and recreational fisheries,” Palm- accepted gratefully: er said. “Over the last decade, LifeFlight of Maine especially in the last five years, PO Box 889, Camden, ME 04843 we’ve had very poor recruitment of Gulf of Maine cod. There are LifeFlight could mean saving your NMFS Trawl Survey own life, or the life of consistent indications the Gulf of 100' wide X 1 mile long. someone very dear Maine cod population is in poor This 20 minute tow to you. Please condition.” help, now is the ! is conducted once moment of need. each year. Thank you, Tell Them You Saw It In Read more online: Fishermen’s http://bit.ly/PenBayPilot http://bit.ly/WSCH6Linda LindaBeansMaineLobster.com Voice! Page 10 Fishermen’s Voice April 2015 “New-shells” Starred in Marketing Initiative By Laurie Schreiber ROCKPORT—Maine’s new-shell, the wider restaurant scene, with or soft-shell, lobsters are the fo- the idea of expanding the northeast cus of a new marketing initiative market. intended to expand markets and boost value. The idea of provenance, he New-shell lobsters are those said, is about a sense of place that have molted out of their old, hard shells and are in the process of and a way of life. growing new, larger shells. “That’s obvious to you, not so “There’s a handful of people with obvious to people from away,” said a big influence of culinary trends” Weber Shandwick executive vice he said. “These chefs care a lot president of strategy Joe Frydl. “It about seasonality and provenance.” means we have new news to share.” Maine must distinguish itself Weber Shandwick is the global from competitive pressures, Frydl marketing firm recently hired by said. He cited Alaska as a model for the Maine Lobster Marketing Col- “juggernaut” fishing and market- laborative (MLMC), which suc- ing. “They’re big, they’re efficient, ceeds the Maine Lobster Promotion it’s all about uniformity through- Council. New marketing initiatives out the year, and they may or may are fueled by a larger budget fund- photo Laurie Schreiber not be sustainable,” he said. “What ed by increased surcharges on lob- Frank Gotwals, chairman of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative’s board does that mean for us? We have to ster harvester and dealer/processor of directors. be what they can never be. If you licenses. In 2014, the new MLMC, can’t fix it, feature it. We’re small. Laurie Schreiber photo Laurie Schreiber established by the state legislature, early March. That’s good.” Maine lobster fishing Weber Shandwick executive vice had a budget of $750,000. That “It’s not about demand for lob- is “deliberately inefficient. We’re go- president Patty Stone. doubled for 2015, and will go up ster generically,” said Frydl. “De- ing to turn that into a positive when to about $2.2 million annually for mand overall is healthy. People it comes to marketing. It has very nary Institute of America, as well the following two years, when the like lobster. We need to talk about much to do with being sustainable as communications at key trade program must be reviewed by the Maine lobster specifically. We want and seasonably special.” shows and through trade media. legislature. By contrast, the promo- to build our brand. We want to do The idea of provenance, he said, MLMC executive director Matt tion council’s budget was less than that at the right time of year.” is about a sense of place and a way Jacobson said that hiring Weber $400,000 in its final year. The meat of new-shell lobster is of life, “the small towns and com- Shandwick produced considerable Weber Shandwick executive vice considered better than hard-shell munities behind this industry, de- interest across the country. president Patty Stone, food expert lobster—sweeter and more tender. liberately inefficient, and probably Michael Wehman, and Frydl shared New-shells appear seasonally, and the oldest sustainable fishery in the We need to change our their ideas for the new initiative at seasonality is an important driver entire world.” definition of quality. the Maine Fishermen’s Forum in these days among restaurants, Fry- People outside of Maine love eat- – Matt Jacobson, MLMC executive dl said. Also important is “protein ing lobster, but they tend to think director provenance.” of it generically, he said. “There’s a whole other level of lobster we want to generate excitement about. How “My email box started filling “We need to position Maine up,” Jacobson said. “We had offers new-shell lobster as a does that translate into strategy? The lobster we all know is delicious. from the Los Angeles Dodgers, the seasonal delicacy.” But there’s a certain time of year Chicago Cubs. They’re all willing to – Joe Frydl, Weber Shandwick when people who live in Maine get take our money to do a lobster pro- executive vice president of strategy especially excited about eating lob- motion.” But that sort of thing isn’t ster. From June to November, lob- in the offing right now. “We’ve got to “When you go to the supermar- ster in the cold, clear waters shed make sure it fits with this strategy ket , you see faceless pork. You look their old shells and grow new ones. and not be chasing what looks like at the pork under the Saran wrap That’s when their meat is at its a cool opportunity.” and it’s not from anywhere,” he sweetest, most tender, most ‘lobs- “It’s about making the dollar said. “Same with chicken and beef. tery.’ Maine new shells—everything work hard,” said Frydl. “If you But the moment you attach a place else is just lobster.” think, ‘Let’s go bigger,’ that money name to it, it starts to mean some- Wehman said the strategy in- has to be dispersed much more thing important. You know it’s not cludes educating chefs about the thinly, so the impact you can have an indeterminate, factory-raised, product’s seasonality and taste dif- diminishes. We want to go for the bland thing.” ference, as well as getting Maine good, smart, easy, solid wins. This While seasonality and prov- lobster featured on menus in inno- is about building the right kind of enance are trendy, they have to vative ways. momentum.” translate into something meaning- “We want to inspire chefs with Jacobson noted there will be ful for diners eating the food, he the superiority of lobster as an in- more money to expand the geog- said. gredient,” Wehman said. “If we can raphy once the foundation work is “We need to position Maine new- get more people exposed to lobster done. shell lobster as a seasonal delicacy,” as an ingredient in restaurants, One fisherman wanted to know he said. that’s going to influence consum- if the strategy was about moving For the start, Frydl said, the ers.” The strategy includes ex- the harvest’s “weakest stuff.” agency will focus outreach on a panding a partnership that began “There needs to be a shift about small group of chefs who influence developing in 2014 with the Culi- what is ‘weakest stuff,’” respond- ed Jacobson. In the past, he said, “We’ve measured quality based on hardness of the shell, because it’s easier to transport. That has noth- Cove’s End Woodworking ing to do with taste. The people ac- tually eating the lobster, their qual- Custom Cabinetry ity measure is very different from ! what our quality measure has been. Marine Woodworking So I think we need to change our 51 So. Gouldsboro Rd. definition of quality” to mean “there ! is a product, shedders, that are a lot Gouldsboro, ME 04607 Fine Furniture (207) 963-7800 better-tasting than hard shells, and a lot easier to work with.” ! April 2015 Fishermen’s Voice Page 11 LETTER Salmon Debris Comes Ashore In Nova Scotia To The Honorable Stephen McNeil, The Premier of Nova Scotia Dear Premier McNeil, other farming operation would be For the second time in two years, allowed to leave carcasses piled up the Jordan Bay open pen aquacul- on public lands? ture sites have experienced the ef- There is no information avail- fects of super chill. Although your able to the public on what plans, if government and the industry are any, the government has in place to trying to downplay the losses in the protect our or other fishing commu- media, reliable local sources report nities from an environmental dis- that there is almost 100 percent aster of this scale. How will future fish mortality. These reports are lobster stocks, shellfish, Irish moss consistent with the fact that since and eel harvests be affected? Each the beginning of February, virtual- of these local, traditional fisheries ly no feeding has occurred at either has a long history of profitability Jordan Bay site. and reliable employment. The pens and nets were encased When can the bay be safely used in ice for nearly a month. The sites for recreation? Who is responsible were so severely damaged, large for cleaning up this mess? holes were visible in the netting If your government cannot an- and many pens collapsed from the swer these questions, why would weight of the ice. you allow restocking of these sites Our entire community is now or the issuing of new leases? suffering the effects of the colossal We ask that, to prevent another
failure of industrial open pen aqua- predictable disaster, the Jordan Bay Arlene Benham photo culture. As reported to the NSDFA aquaculture leases be immediately Grand Manan, Canada. Ice bound salmon pen crushed by ice and driven ashore and DNR, salmon carcasses, grease revoked. The only way to effectively by tides. and salmon pieces are washing control this industry, and reduce the up on kilometres of beaches, salt risk, is to put it on land. ! marshes, and people’s property. Sincerely, ADMINISTRATIVE, CIVIL & CRIMINAL LAW Your government is expecting peo- Sindy Horncastle, 1-902-875-4771 Attorney at Law ple to live with a magnitude of PATRICK FLANIGAN - Marilyn Moore, 1-902-875-2541 FREE INITIAL Experienced legal counsel from a former fisherman, waste never seen before. What Jordan Bay, NS captain and boat owner with fishing experience CONSULTATION from Maine to Alaska SILICON BRONZE 484-904-7795 LAW OFFICE OF PATRICK FLANIGAN POUR [email protected] P.O. Box 42, Swarthmore, PA 19081-0042 WOOD SCREWS www.pfmaritime.com Admitted in PA & NJ and the U.S. Supreme Court. Admitted elsewhere by special appearance. Flat Head, Cut Threads, FOAM Slotted & Frearson Sizes #6 to #20 2-lb. Density Urethane, 1 ” ” Length /2 to 4 50:50 Mix Commercial Fishing Supplies GREAT PRICES 2 Gal. Unit $78.00 1 $ For example: 1 /2 x 10 ...... 34.25/100 5 Gal. Unit $182.00 One source to meet ALL your needs. 2 x 12 ...... $56.78/100 30 years of serving the commercial fisherman 2 x 14 ...... $72.65/100 10 Gal. Unit $317.00 Your BEST choice for value and service
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Forum auctioneer Dennis Damon driving up the price of Forum coffee mugs. Prices settled in at $100 each. The mugs brought in about $2,000 for the Forum scholarship fund.
“The Mug” in question. Jenny Bichist, Purseline Bait, had these made All photos as a scholarship Fishermen’s Voice fundraiser. They were going slow at her show booth but took off when she sent a few cases to the auction.
John’s Bay Boat Company Custom Wooden Boat Building
res an e s a te Bait o oc errin ac s at s o ies
South ristol A B [email protected] 70R Mills Road, Kennebunkport, Maine bbco @gmail.com aine www.capeporpoiselobster.com 207-967-0900 • 207-205-7949 cell
Join us for Boaters Appreciation Day! Saturday April 18 Noon to :00 pm Nothing goes through the water like a wooden boat. 85 Main Street liot M www.kpyy.net Call 207-439-3967 to RSVP Giant tuna harpoon presentation Factory repower e perts by crew of F/V Elizabeth Ames on hand ife raft and survival gear Complimentary pig roast demonstration and beverages Nothing keeps fresh water out like a fiberglass top. ottom paint selection and All recreational commercial application discussion boaters kids welcome Now you can have the best of both worlds. Call Richard Stanley today! 13 Little Island Way, Bass Harbor ME 04653 • 207-244-3795 www.RichardStanleyCustomBoats.com April 2015 Fishermen’s Voice Page 13
proved traditional. Some of his crew ture, materials, tools, and practice. Building a Wooden Lobster Boat have been with him for decades. Thanks to Walt Barrows, a pho- This photo essay highlights some tographer and admirer of Kass’s John’s Bay Boat Company, Part II of the steps in an ages-old building work, for granting the use of his Peter Kass has had a life-long builds one boat at a time. The build- process, requiring high level skills photos. The boat in the photos was interest in wooden boats. Kass still ing methods might be called im- in engineering, intuition, architec- built in the winter of 2014-2015.
An important detail in a wooden boat are stop waters. The first mold in place on the keel. Measurements The first seven of the twelve molds tacked in place. On this These white cedar dowels are driven though holes taken off the keel (aft) position it properly. The wood 46 footer they are about 40" apart. The keel is set up to sit wherever a keel seam, the joint between two parts of the braces from the upper left and right sides of the mold to as it would in the water. The waterline will then be level. keel, crosses the rabbet, the notch into which the hull’s the keel are nailed to hold the mold in place. The molds are squared to the keel and then made plumb. planks are set. The stop waters swell to block passage of water through the keel seam into the boat. The line of the keel seam may be visible here at a steep angle to the left of the white stop waters being sawn flush with the rabbet.
After all the molds are in place, ribbands are screwed to the molds to create a surface against which the ribs The lower end of the hot rib is driven into the pocket slot of the hull will be bent. The molds and the ribbands in the keel. Standing on the rib and pulling down on the together are the form the hull will take it’s shape from. White oak ribs, 1-1/2" x 2-1/2", are heated for two end presses it against the lower ribbands first while it is After the ribs are bent in to place, the ribbands are hours in a steam box until pliable. Hustling them to the being clamped to the ribbands. gradually removed as the planking is done. installation point before they cool is important. More BUILDING PHOTOS on page 22 Your Source for... Classic and New Beals Island Designs. Custom Finishing Of Any Hull • Repairs • Repowers Calvin Beal CB-44 30, 34, 36, 38, Need a lender 42, 44 & 46 • Stable who understands • Seakindly • Fast you? • Spacious Cockpit CB-38 Farm Credit East specializes in providing loans and lines of credit to CB-30 Maine’s commercial fi shing industry. With long- and short-term fi nancing options for real estate, boats and equipment, Farm Credit East is the right choice for you. We provide attractive rates and solid advice for aquatic businesses of every type and size. Our lending experts understand your business. Call them today at the branch offi ce closest to you. Full Line up of YOUNG BROTHERS Models Loans and leases for: 30'x10' • 33'x11' • 35'10"x12'6" • 38'x12'8" 40'x13'6" • 42'6"x15'8" • 45'x15' Boats / Trucks / Real estate / Wharves / Bait storage facilities Equipment / Haul out and repair / Operating lines / Permits YB-38 35' & 40' MOLDED TOPS AVAILABLE –REPLACE YOUR OLD TOP! Assistance with Like Exchange Available
Auburn, ME 800.831.4230 / FarmCreditEast.com (207) 667-7427 SW Boatworks Lamoine, Maine 04605 www.swboatworks.com | [email protected] Page 14 Fishermen’s Voice April 2015
In Maine, assets in a retirement the mortgage loan balance, $47,500 account are, to a great extent, pro- or $95,000 of that equity will be ex- The B Word tected. So, generally, are household empt from creditors. By Nicholas Walsh, PA furnishings. There are other protect- Farmers and fishermen have the ed assets: $400 in cash, $5,000 in a great advantage of being able to file A bankruptcy filing gives a per- In any bankruptcy there are car, $5,000 in tools of the trade, and a reorganization bankruptcy un- son or business a stay (stop) on debt classes of creditors, and some get “the debtor’s interest in one boat, der Chapter 12. Under Chapter 12, collection, discharge of many debts, treated much better than others. not exceeding 46 feet in length, used mortgage lenders and other secured and a chance to reorganize. It can be The clearest distinction is between by the debtor primarily for commer- creditors must be paid, over time, the a lifeline for a debtor at the end of his the “secureds” and the “unsecureds.” cial fishing.” Just as with a house, if value of the collateral pledged for the rope, for as soon as the bankruptcy An example of a secured creditor is a there’s a vessel mortgage, the bank debt, but any balance owed in excess petition is filed, all debt collection bank that loaned a business money, can and will sell the boat toward of the value of the loan’s collateral actions must cease. That includes with the loan secured by a mort- satisfaction of the loan. On the oth- can be treated as unsecured debt, phone calls, letters demanding pay- gage on business (non-home) real er hand, if the fisherman owns the and unsecured debt is generally paid ment, and court actions, including estate. If Tom files bankruptcy, the boat free and clear, or if the boat has little or nothing in Chapter 12 cas- foreclosure. Fishermen and farmers bank may ask for and will almost value in excess of the loan balance, es. That means if you owe the bank have the benefit of a special kind of certainly get the bankruptcy court’s the value is exempt from creditors. $300,000 on a boat mortgage, but the filing, about which more below. permission to sell the real estate and A short list of unprotected “non- boat is now worth $100,000, you can There are two fundamental use the proceeds to pay down or pay exempt” assets – assets which may discharge $200,000 of the loan bal- types of bankruptcy filings. In one off the mortgage. On the other hand, be used to pay creditors – includes ance and pay the $100,000 over time. type (characterized under the bank- suppose a couple of years before the ATVs, snowmobiles, extra vehicles, Another great advantage of Chapter ruptcy code as “Chapter 7”), the bankruptcy Tom borrowed $100,000 valuable collections, non-residential 12 is that payments on that $100,000 bankruptcy estate may sell some from his brother-in-law, with no se- real estate including camps, broker- can be stretched out for years, often of the debtor’s assets and use the curity, just a promissory note. Tom’s age accounts, and bank accounts. with reduced interest. money to pay creditors. In the sec- brother-in-law is an unsecured cred- The exemption of most impor- ond type (Chapter 11, 12 and 13), itor, and in the typical Chapter 7 the tance to many consumers is for equi- the debtor undertakes to stretch out unsecureds are lucky to get pennies If the fisherman owns the ty in the home. Maine provides that and reduce debts, without the need on the debt dollar. This is exactly boat free and clear, the value $47,500 of the equity in a person’s to liquidate assets to pay creditors. why, in lending, we pay such close home cannot be reached by credi- is exempt from creditors. The first type, Chapter 7, is attention to security for the loan, not tors. If the consumer is 60 years of far and away the more common. just the paperwork, but the fair mar- age or older, or is disabled, or resides In bankruptcies there is a 90-day In 2014, in Maine, of 2,094 total ket value of the collateral as well. in the home with minor dependents, “look back” period. Transactions oc- bankruptcy filings, 83 percent were the exemption rises to $95,000. You curring within the 90 days before Chapter 7 liquidations. Farmers and fishermen have can have but one home: if you own a filing can, generally, be unwound. For the consumer, the cost of a the great advantage of being house and a camp, only one gets the For insider transactions the look- simple Chapter 7 is around $1,500, exemption. back period is a year and sometimes and it is typically over and done in able to file a reorganization Florida and Texas have no limit more. So if in anticipation of bank- a matter of a few months, without bankruptcy under Chapter 12. to the exemption one can claim in ruptcy you quitclaim your share in fuss. A Chapter 11, 12 or 13 bank- the home, and millionaires smell- the house to your wife, let some time ruptcy may and often does convert Taxes, both state and federal, ing trouble commonly head to those pass before you file – and talk to a to a Chapter 7 when the reorgani- can be discharged in bankruptcy, if states and buy a $20 million place lawyer, please. zation plan fails, perhaps due to an the taxes have been due for more and move in. That way they can sell A final word. In working with overly optimistic income projection. than three years, and if an honest the home after receiving a bank- a bankruptcy attorney it is really Chapter 11, 12 and 13 bank- return was timely filed for the taxes ruptcy discharge, leaving them a important to be forthcoming and ruptcies are expensive relative to due. There are variations and this is few bucks to rub along on. truthful. If you forget to list a debt a Chapter 7, and they tend to be a complex topic. There is an important detail in the bankruptcy petition the debt drawn out. Twelve years later, the A note on home mortgage fore- here, of great importance to the av- may not be discharged. And every Great Northern Paper bankruptcy closures in bankruptcy. To avoid erage consumer. A mortgage lender year people try to hide assets from of 2003 still chugs along, resolving a foreclosure, many homeowners will, does not have to respect the home the bankruptcy court and every year few final disputes, liquidating a few after filing for bankruptcy, “reaf- equity exemption. If a bank loaned people do hard time in federal prison hard-to-value assets and so on; the firm” the obligation to the bank, money secured by a mortgage on for the crime. The temptation to hide bankruptcy estate’s legal fees are agreeing to pay the mortgage loan a residence, the bank may sell the assets representing years of labor is well over $1 million. despite the bankruptcy. With the home toward satisfaction of the powerful, but it’s a mistake. The concept of a “bankruptcy unsecured debt (credit cards, medi- debt, without any concern for the Nicholas Walsh is an attorney estate” is important to understand. cal bills, trade debt etc.) discharged, $47,500 or $95,000 exemptions. practicing in Portland. He may be When a person files for bankruptcy, the homeowner now has the cash But if there is no mortgage, or if the reached at (207) 772-2191, or at he or she (the “debtor”) loses control, flow to pay the mortgage. Saving home’s value significantly exceeds [email protected]. to a lesser or greater extent, over his the family home in this manner is ! or her assets. Those assets become a common reason people file bank- part of the bankruptcy estate, over- ruptcy. Reaffirmation can also be seen by the bankruptcy judge, as- used to keep a vehicle or any other Vertical Lines–Whale Rules Comment Deadline sisted by an appointed bankruptcy loan collateral. NOTICE OF AGENCY RULE-MAKING PROPOSAL trustee. As a practical matter, so long In most consumer bankruptcies, AGENCY: Department of Marine Resources as matters go smoothly and there is the creditors get nothing or almost CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 75. Protected Resources. Proposed Rulemaking. no funny business, the court’s and nothing, because of laws protecting CONCISE SUMMARY: the trustee’s involvement will be many of the typical consumer’s as- This proposed rule making addresses the federal vertical line regulations (otherwise known minimal, almost non-existent. How- sets. Oddly, although bankruptcy as the “whale rules”), which were published by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ever, if the trustee believes the debt- is a creature of federal law, and is on June 27, 2014, and which go into effect in Maine on June 1, 2015. This rule making is nec- or has failed to disclose assets or is heard in a federal court, these pro- essary for consistency and compliance with the federal requirements of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) Final Rule in accordance with the Marine Mammal paying favored creditors under the tections (“exemptions”) are for the Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. With the new whale rules, there will be a table, the trustee and the court may most part found in state law and minimum number of lobster traps per trawl based on the different lobster zones and distance become very involved indeed. they vary greatly from state to state. from shore to reduce the number of buoy lines in the water column. The various changes apply to areas of Maine’s Pocket Waters, inside the Maine Sliver Area and Federal Waters. The Department is seeking to adopt additional gear marking, a new 6 mile line, minimum trawl lengths and some island buffers in regulation for compliance and consistency with the profilesmaine.com federal whale rules. the free online magazine THIS RULE WILL NOT HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES. STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 M.R.S. §6171 by Laurie Schreiber PUBLIC HEARING: April 6, 2015. Natural Resource Service Center, 6 Beech Street, Room 106, n depth profles on Hallowell. 6:00 pm. DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: April 16, 2015 people ideas activities To ensure consideration, comments must include your name and the organization you represent, if any. Please be aware that any risk of non-delivery associated with submissions by fax or email is on the sender. MD and beyond. AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Sarah Cotnoir (207) 624-6596 Boatbuilders, artists, community, more. Mail Written Comments to: Department of Marine Resources, attn: K. Rousseau, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021. Need words I write, edit, proof. Affordable rates. www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking • EMAIL: [email protected] Learn more at proflesmaine.com PHONE: 207-624-6550 • FAX: (207) 624-6024 • TTY: (711) Maine. April 2015 Fishermen’s Voice Page 15 Right Whale Habitat Protection Proposed for Entire Gulf of Maine By Laurie Schreiber ROCKPORT—For the past eight that, although they’re located in months, Maine’s lobster industry federal waters, fall under the state has been in a respite from the past exemption. Vertcal Line Rules 20 years of dealing with the process “That was huge,” Maine Lob- Trawling up Lines and Minimum Trawl Requirements Summary prepared by MLA, June 2014 of making whale-protection rules. stermen’s Association executive di- Based on June 2014 FINAL RULE The respite recently ended. rector Patrice McCarron told folks chart courtesy of Maine DMR In June 2014, the National Ma- at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum in rine Fisheries Service (NMFS) de- early March. For example, Mount cided on a requirement to increase Desert Rock is in an area of federal the minimum number of traps per water that is designated for trawls trawl, based on area fished and of five traps. But the industry was miles fished from shore, with some able to get pairs there. exceptions. The goal is to reduce the number of vertical lines, there- The changes by Zones by lowering the risk of entangling In general, Zones A, B, and C, Zones D, E, F and G Zones A, B and C adult whales, which frequent the along the eastern half of the coast, • Inside exempton line None • Inside exempton line None • State waters outside • State waters outside Gulf of Maine to feed. must fish pairs in state waters that exempton line 2’s exempton line 2’s 1/4 mile bufer at Monhegan, • 3 to 6 miles 3’s Matnicus, Criehaven None NMFS is also requiring a sea- are outside the exemption line, tri- • 6 to 12 miles 5’s • 3 to 6 miles 3’s Coordinates for Maine 6-mile line: • 12+ miles 15’s sonal closure for trap/pot fisheries ples at 3-6 miles, 5s at 6-12 miles, Point 1 (Isle of Shoals): 42°55.38′ N. lat., 70°28.68′ W. long • 6 to 12 miles 10’s in Cape Cod Bay and the Outer and 15s at 12-plus miles. Point 2 (Casco Bay): 43°29.4′ N. lat., 70°5.88′ W. long • 12+ miles* 15’s Point 3 (Monhegan): 43°39.24′ N. lat., 69°18.54′ W. long *Zones F and G Gear Marking All Zones Cape from Jan. 1 to April 30; in- Point 4 (Matnicus): 43°40.98′ N. lat., 68°48.84′ W. long • Nov 1 to Feb 29 (seasonal) • Outside exempton line only Point 5 (Mount Desert Island): 44°3.42′ N. lat., 68°10.26′ W. long • 12+ miles 20’s • 12” red mark 3x on buoy line creasing the size and frequency of The proposed expanded whale Point 6 (Machias Seal): 44°31.98′ N. lat., 67°9.72′ W. long (top, middle and botom) required gear-marks for both trap/ habitat area comprises the This chart shows the minimum trawling-up requirements under the vertical line rule pot and gillnet fisheries, intended implemented in 2014. Chart courtesy of Maine Lobstermen’s Association. to make identification of the type of entire Gulf of Maine. fishing gear involved in an entan- pand critical habitat for endan- ida,” NMFS said. The proposed glement easier. Zones D, E, F, and G must fish gered North Atlantic right whales, northern critical habitat areas in- The measures become effective pairs in state waters outside the “which was a holy smokes, Batman, clude foraging areas. A proposed June 1, 2015. exemption line, with quarter-mile take your crayon and color every- southern habitat area includes sup- Maine’s lobster industry was buffers at Monhegan, Matinicus, thing in,” as McCarron put it. The ports calving and nursing. North closely involved in the development and Criehaven islands; triple at 3-6 proposed expanded area comprises Atlantic right whales are critically of the vertical line rule, with indus- miles, 10s at 6-12 miles, and 15s at the entire Gulf of Maine. endangered, numbering about 450 try leaders instrumental in obtain- 12-plus miles. Zones F and G are NMFS announced the proposed individuals. ing certain exemptions from the further required to fish 20s at 12- rule on Feb. 13. McCarron said the MLA has trawling-up requirements. Inside plus miles from Nov. 1 to Feb. 29. “The rule, issued pursuant to a reached out to the Department of a coastwide exemption line drawn McCarron said the industry has court-approved settlement agree- Marine Resources and will be talk- up with industry input, Maine’s lob- safety concerns about fishing 15- ment, would expand the critical ing with NMFS. ster fishermen are exempt from the and 20-trap trawls. habitat to roughly 29,945 square “This is a problem,” she said. federal rule. A secondary line was The process of developing the nautical miles, and include north- “They say it won’t affect fishing. I drawn that created a so-called “sliv- vertical line rule came on the heels east feeding areas in the Gulf of don’t believe them. We’ll try to co- er” area, where fishermen must fish of implementation of the 2009 sink- Maine/Georges Bank region and ordinate a singular voice coming pairs. There are a number of “pock- ing groundline rule. calving grounds from southern from Maine saying, ‘This is not et” and buffer areas around islands Now, NMFS is proposing to ex- North Carolina to northern Flor- okay.’ ” ! Lobstermen’s Town Meeting Covers Ocean Health By Mike Crowe Among the topics at the annual of the problems carbon loading and Lobstermen’s Town Meeting in St. climate change had on the oceans, John’s, New Brunswick, were find- likened it to a human who has eat- ing ways to solve labor problems en poorly, getting inadequate sleep for large-volume lobster processors, and abusing alcohol and drugs for a ocean health, product quality and long time. marketing. The meetings, organ- ized by the Maine Lobster Institute One way to bring ocean and held in alternating years in Maine and New Brunswick, bring acidity back to a normal level together the U.S. and Canadian would be with a 4-billion- lobster industries to focus on key pound Alka Seltzer tablet. contemporary issues. Seasonal demands for labor cre-
Fishermen’s Voice photo Voice Fishermen’s Maine Senator Chris Johnson ates a need for lobster processors The Lobstermen’s Town Meeting had about 80 attendees from Canada and the U.S. outlined the presentation on ocean to juggle and innovate in order to Most fishermen were from Canada. Many could not travel on Friday because of health he submitted to the governor keep as many employees through snowy weather. Both countries had scientists, marketing managers, politicians and and Maine legislature. Johnson said slow seasons, which means they lobstermen in attendance. it is important to get policy makers have enough help during the surge is very tight. “It’s a positive prob- and a stable payscale. Canada has involved. “There are others pump- in lobster harvests. Canadian pro- lem to have 125 desperately needed labor laws that address seasonal ing carbon dioxide into the atmos- cessors close for one month and the jobs, but not enough housing for industries demands for temporary phere, but the U.S. is the bad guys Fair Trade Lobster Company in these new employees. Many of the employees. The temporary labor in this and needs to do better with Gouldsboro closes for three months. former Stinson Cannery employ- pool is supported by immigration energy policy. We need to be more The company is working to develop ees have retired and still live in the laws. The Canadian lobster pro- serious about alternative energy de- new products that will extend the area. New employees either drive cessing industry is attempting to velopment and working with farm- season. Fair Trade Lobster’s labor long distances to their new job or change regulations that will more ers to control runoff,” said Johnson. problem has been in finding enough deal with inadequate or expensive effectively enable these companies (to see all of Senator Johnson’s local housing for its 125 employees. housing.” to tap that labor resource. Mini- Ocean Health presentation go to: The town had sought for a few Spiros Tourkakis, an owner at mum wages can also vary from one www.maine.gov/legis/opla/Oceana- years to get a new business to Fair Trade Lobster, said housing is area to the next. cidificationreport.pdf OR link to it reopen on the property that had a major problem for the company The participants were asked to from fishermensvoice.com) housed a sardine cannery for a cen- and they had considered building give their definition of a healthy After the Ocean Health presen- tury. Lobster dealer and longtime some housing for employees. ocean and those responses covered tation, lobsterman David Cousens Gouldsboro selectman Dana Rice In New Brunswick, Tourkakis a wide range. One audience par- said available housing in the area said, his problem is finding labor ticipant, after hearing descriptions See MEETING on page 21 Page 16 Fishermen’s Voice April 2015
REMEMBER from page 1 the Spanish people regarded the Maine’s presence as a real threat to ephone bills, placed there to pay for Spain and a sign of America align- the costs of the war, was abolished. ing with the Cuban insurgents. And as much as people remem- ber Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Virginius Massacre Riders, it is the sinking of the Bat- Tension between the United tleship Maine in Havana Harbor States and Spain was nothing on February 15, 1898, that re- new. Twenty-five years prior to sounds the loudest. But what was the Maine coming to Havana, the the Maine doing there, and what Spanish gunboat Toledo, after an caused its destruction? The former eight-hour chase, captured the is easily answered, the latter re- United States-registered sidewheel quires more discussion. steamer Virginius. Originally put in It was always a matter of course service as a Confederate blockade- for United States warships to make runner during the U. S. Civil War, friendly visits to ports of all the the Virgin was captured by a U.S. countries of the world. Up until vessel. In 1870 she was sold to an the outbreak of the Cuban Revo- agent of the Cuban junta (this was Illustration of the US Battleship Maine. When an explosion sank the Maine in lution early in 1895, U.S. ships of during an earlier Cuban revolu- Havana Harbor in 1898, 266 lives were lost, 200 were recovered and 76 were war were frequent visitors to Cu- tion, 1868 through 1878), her name identified. A confirmed cause of the explosion has not been established. Laid down by New York Naval Ship Yard on October 17, 1888. (More Maine specs at ban ports. But when the revolu- changed to Virginius and put to use fishermensvoice.com) tion broke out, prompted by Spain’s as a “filibuster,” a term then used mistreatment of Cuban nationals, for speedy, blockade runners. American citizens. The outcome of investigation by the Spanish. The President Cleveland suspended The Virginius was the most dar- this was a near-war situation, with Spanish investigation, to no one’s these goodwill visits for fear that ing of her class and made numerous actual hostilities being averted only surprise, did not blame Spain for Spain would view it as threatening landings in Cuba, delivering arms by extreme diplomacy. And yet, the Maine’s sinking. to their authority. and supplies to the insurgents. But Americans never forgot the Virgin- The American Court of Inquiry Cleveland’s successor, President she had seen the last of her filibus- ius incident. With this background released its findings on March 21. McKinley, however, reversed his tering upon being taken by Spain. in mind, we return to the Maine’s One of its conclusions, duly trans- predecessor’s policy and contacted visit to harbor at Havana. mitted to President McKinley read: Spanish authorities, telling them Officially, nobody knows “The state of discipline on board Tremendous Explosion and the condition of her magazines, of his decision. McKinley wanted for sure what caused the U.S. ships to once again visit Cuban The Maine entered Havana Har- boilers, coal bunkers and storage ports as a gesture of good will. Spain explosion. bor at sunrise on January 25, 1898, compartments are passed in review, agreed and even offered to send and met the harbormaster, who di- with the conclusion that excellent Spanish ships to U.S. ports as a sign The Virginius was, despite her rected her to a specified anchoring order prevailed and that no indica- of their wish for continuing peace. never being berthed in United place. Three weeks later, at 9:40 tion of cause for an internal explo- And so it was that the battleship States waters, a vessel of U.S. reg- p.m. on February 15, the battleship sion existed in any quarter.” Maine entered the harbor at Ha- istry, with an American captain and was rocked by a terrific explosion The court also concluded that: vana on January 24, 1898. Span- a crew composed of a mixture of which destroyed the entire forward “The loss of the Maine was not in ish authorities were aware of the American and Cuban citizens. De- portion of the ship. This had the any respect due to fault or negli- Maine’s mission and greeted her spite showing her American papers effect of killing 264 crew members gence on the part of any of the of- with salutes and ceremonial visits. and American colors, the Virginius’ and 2 officers. Those who were not ficers or members of her crew; That Not everyone viewed the Maine’s captain was told that his ship was immediately killed as a result of the the ship was destroyed by the ex- visit to Havana as a simple cour- a pirate ship and her flag was torn blast were trapped in the twisted plosion of a submarine mine, which tesy call, though. It was plain to down and replaced with a Spanish wreckage and drowned when the caused the partial explosion of her everyone in America, Cuba and flag. hull immediately sank. forward magazines; and that no Spain that United States interests, Immediately upon reaching Spanish authorities reacted by evidence has been obtainable fixing including not only commercial in- Santiago de Cuba, all 155 men from opening all area hospitals to survi- the responsibility for the destruc- terests but also American citizens, the Virginius were thrown in prison vors. Neighboring vessels as well as tion of the Maine upon any person were imperiled because of the ongo- and a court martial was immedi- ship’s boats of the Spanish cruiser or persons.” ing insurrection and the steadily- ately convened. Most of the prison- Alphonse XII rendered immediate On March 21, the House passed eroding attitude of Spain toward ers were condemned to death by fir- aid. The Spanish offered tributes a bill for the relief of survivors America. ing squad and the first executions and great sympathy for the victims and victims of the Maine tragedy. The Maine’s presence in Cuba took place on November 4. The four of the disaster. Surviving officers and men were signaled different things to differ- victims included a British citizen. Not forgetting the tragedy of awarded an amount not to exceed ent people. The Cubans saw it as The men were shot, beheaded, their the Virginius, the American people one year’s sea pay and a sum equal evidence of American sympathy heads displayed on pikes and their immediately blamed Spain for the to one year’s pay was awarded to le- for their cause. American citizens torsos trampled by horses. Maine’s destruction. However, the gal heirs of dead victims. believed that the Maine’s visit to More executions took place on American government laid no re- Havana was a sign of a changing November 8, followed by 37 more sponsibility on anyone and instead, Spain Blamed attitude of the national government being executed on November 13. proceeded with caution, launch- So while the Naval Court of In- toward Spain’s growing threat to Among the 37 were the officers ing a Naval Court of Inquiry. 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Cu- Maine lay squarely upon the shoul- bans, until Fidel Castro came to ders of the Spanish government. power in 1959, believed that Spain The April 14 issue of the popu- was responsible for the explosion lar magazine Leslie’s Weekly con- and that Cuban independence was tained strong language blaming a result of United States interven- Spain. “The Maine was in a Span- tion in the cause of Cuban freedom. ish harbor on a peaceful errand. But Castro changed the plan and Its location was fixed by the Span- rewrote history, declaring that the ish authorities, and if a mine was United States deliberately blew up planted in the harbor, it could have its own war ship, placing blame on only have been planted by the Spain in order to justify its actions Spaniards.” in Cuba. The Spanish government, how- Then in 1974, Admiral Hyman ever, was conciliatory and told G. Rickover initiated a private in- President McKinley that it would, vestigation into the cause of the “do all that the highest honor and sinking of the Maine. His investiga- justice required in the matter of the tion, using records and information Maine.” Spain also consented to ar- from previous investigations, con- bitration by in impartial body, the cluded that spontaneous combus- result of which Spain would accept tion of coal very close to the maga- in advance. zine was the culprit. Despite all this, feelings ran Private investigations contin- high and war began with Congress ued. In 1998, National Geographic authorizing the President of the Magazine launched its own inves- United States to call the United tigation. This time, investigators States Army and Navy into service. Seymour photo Tom used computer models. The models The Battleship Maine crest and shield in Davenport Park. Davenport Park is at the indicated that a depression on the corner of Main and Cedar Streets in downtown Bangor, Maine. Maine Revisited sea floor beneath the Maine’s hull The Naval Board of Inquiry’s an attack on the Maine would in- Second Investigation was indicative of a mine explosion. findings did not put a rest to spec- flame America’s ire against Spain In 1910, Congress authorized Others, including experts from Ad- ulation as to the cause behind the and thus bring America into the the raising of the Maine. This was miral Rickover’s team, disagreed. Maine’s destruction. Indeed, it only conflict. On and on it went. in response to citizens calling for Finally, in 2002, the History marked the starting point of what And there were those who were the victim’s remains being brought Channel got into the act, present- would continue, unabated, until the firmly planted in the internal ex- back home to America. Also, the ing a documentary called “Death present time. plosion camp. Although the official Maine’s wreck posed a hazard to of the U.S.S. Maine.” This used Immediately upon learning the investigation declared that this was shipping and Cuba wanted it re- photos, history and naval experts official government stance on the not a possibility, it was known that moved. So the U.S. Army Corps of and original information from the cause, various groups and individu- coal-burning ships were at risk of Engineers tackled the project. They archives. The History Channel als began offering their own opin- fire from spontaneous combustion built a cofferdam around the Maine, concluded that the explosion was ion. Speculation ran rampant, and of the bituminous coal used as fuel. which allowed them to pump out caused by a fire in the coal bunker. for good reason. There were numer- And this coal was often stored close water, leaving the Maine exposed Given the continuing interest ous possibilities and these weren’t to the magazines of steam-powered to the air and in a much better po- in what actually brought down the mentioned in the official report. battleships. sition for further investigation into Maine, it seems likely that other Might the mine that caused A slew of other internal causes the cause of the explosion. investigations into the cause of the the external explosion have been were bantered about. Fire in the The remains of the dead heroes explosion will be forthcoming. Offi- planned by Spain? The Maine’s magazine itself, fire from flamma- were removed from the Maine for cially, nobody knows for sure what mooring might have had a sub- ble liquids and actual sabotage by burial in Arlington National Cem- caused the explosion. And so the merged mine floating just for that someone aboard. etery. Water was then let into the sinking of the Maine goes into the purpose. It took three weeks for the Those in the external explosion cofferdam, the Maine refloated and, realm of folklore and conspiracy ship and the mine to connect. camp were upheld in their stance towed out to sea where with much theories, right along with the Lin- Or, was a mine planted by a sab- by reports from those aboard at the ceremony, she was scuttled. coln and Kennedy assassinations. oteur? There were many reasons time who affirmed that they defi- The Vreeland Board of 1911, af- why an individual or group would nitely heard two explosions. This ter thorough perusal of the Maine’s Maine Specifications wish to destroy an American ship. would make sense, the outside ex- remains, concluded, as did the first The Maine was 324 feet, 4 inch- Even the Cuban rebels themselves plosion from the mine being the board of inquiry, that the Maine es long, had a beam of 57 feet, a were viewed with a jaundiced eye. trigger to set off a secondary, larger was the victim of an external blast. maximum draft of 22 feet, 6 inches But that still didn’t explain who After all, there was no doubt that explosion. and a displacement of 6,682 tons. !
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Do- aches, pains, and joints that need stiff and before real pain sets in, he he must walk and raise his heart ing this job with help will minimize replacing. Vinalhaven fisherman takes the ferry to the mainland for rate for no less than 30 minutes work-related injuries.” Walter Day, 64, spoke for many a chiropractic adjustment. three times a week. He does not re- The main risks associated with when he said, “Constant pain wears member any of the fishermen with developing injuries from two-hand- you down; it wears you down terri- “A boat that rolls a lot or stents that he knows ever walking ed lifting, according to the National bly.” pounds when going over the or getting any cardio exercise. Institute for Occupational Safety Fisherman after fisherman in- Lack of sleep hurts fishermen’s and Health [NIOSH] include bend- terviewed said that, when they seas will really be hard on the health, too. “The way we have ing, twisting, and repetitive mo- were young and strong, they never hips and knees.” evolved in the Canadian lobster tions such as frequent reaching considered their body’s position in – John Drouin fishery,” said Yarmouth, Nova Sco- and carrying. Other risks include relation to the weight they were tia, fisherman Ashton Spinney, 71, leaning against hard surfaces or handling. Rockport, Mass., fisher- For six years, Cutler fisherman “the technology and the equipment those with sharp edges, maintain- man Bob Morris, 57, spoke for just John Drouin, 50, suffered constant that has come into being is light ing fixed positions for a long time, about all when he recalled, “I just pain from basal joint arthritis in his years ahead of where it was when and lifting more than 50 pounds at let fly because I was a testosterone- thumb due to overuse of the joint. I started.” (Spinney has a big, wide a time over a period of eight hours. loaded kid who thought he was This past December, Drouin had boat, the stability of which he com- tougher than the world.” Although complex surgery to remove the of- pares to riding in a Cadillac.) But Morris was quick to say that not fending bone and replace it with a along with the technology has come all fishermen fall victim to the rig- tendon graft. Ten weeks later, he a big change in the industry: that ors of work at sea, he said, “I have was still recovering. of fishermen spending what Spin- Other suggestions from the fish- watched friends get to the point Drouin has also had three sur- ney calls an astronomical amount ermen interviewed include: where they crawl out of a skiff at geries for plantar fasciitis on each of hours on the water. Instead of go- • Before strenuous activity, warm the end of a day or slowly climb of his sore, aching feet and said the ing out at dawn and returning that up: Do some slow stretches and over the rocks to get back up on the surgeries have helped tremendous- afternoon as Canadian lobstermen move about. “When you don’t warm wharf.” ly. He thinks his foot problem could used to do, he said, “It’s nothing for up,” Morris said he learned in heart Point Judith, R.I., fisherman Pe- have developed from standing all them to stay out two or three days.” rehab, muscles fragment and fray ter Brodeur, 68, agreed, saying, “As day long. in minute amounts, adding up in they get older, you can tell the guys He credits pain-free hips and Fishermen are spending an time to cumulative damage. who have been on the boats the knees to fishing in a good boat and astronomical amount of hours • Carry traps parallel, not at 90 de- longest. It’s like a bunch of cripples advised, “A boat that rolls a lot or grees, to your body. Carrying traps walking down the block. You use pounds when going over the seas on the water. the wrong way puts the fulcrum on your body like a tool, and just like will really be hard on the hips and – Ashton Spinney your lower back. any tool, it will wear out.” knees.” • Set up hauling stations so you do Brodeur mentioned wear and Drouin blames his lower back If fishermen are on the water not reach too far outboard and you tear to knees and hips from moving problems on years of lifting heavy for that amount of time, Spinney don’t have to jerk in an unnatural platforms, to backs from bending traps and said he is trying to teach said, they’re only going to be able position with every trap. over from the waist trying to pull on his sons that, if they work together, to sleep X number of hours. This • If your knee hits the rail and things, to shoulders from repetitive the job will get done more quickly means they have to have others grinds every time a trap comes over action, and to wrists from banding and with less effort. aboard to take the wheel and give it, mount a padded section to that lobster. He said a doctor once told Morris said most fishermen, those fishermen down time. (A section of the rail. Near the hauling him the banding tool is one of the when they hit their 50s, find them- year ago, a Southwest Nova Sco- station some fishermen fiberglass a worst tools ever designed, and that selves with at least one heart stent. tia Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 34 step into the chine of the boat. damage results from the action of He and Scituate, Mass., fisherman captain bragged that his crew had • Consider using spinners; they closing the tool and from twisting Fred Dauphinee, 73, have both had been ashore only seven hours dur- will remove all twisted gangions, the hand when pulling it off the lob- multiple heart surgeries and have ing the entire month of December.) making hauling much easier. ster’s claw. Fishermen have a term stents. Fishermen were starting to have • Instead of charging at jobs that for the pain from using the banding Miranda J. Rogers, a medical accidents from getting overtired. propose difficulty, consider build- tool—Bander’s Cramp. student at Tufts University, in Bos- Spinney said, “They were falling ing a tool that might help make the Day has had five hernia opera- ton, mentioned as a cause of heart asleep at the wheel. They were just work easier. tions to correct damage from years problems, among other contribut- pushing too hard.” The Canadian • Wear sunglasses when it’s bright of lifting traps and has trouble ing factors, lack of exercise. Morris government now requires that if a out. Sunburnt eyes speed up eye with his lower back from the rep- agrees and said he was taught in fisherman is out a certain number failure. etitious action of pulling traps over cardiovascular rehab that fisher- of hours, he must have a qualified • Keep hands as warm and dry as the rail. Although his chiropractor men get stamina exercise—build- person onboard to take over. possible. ! 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Join online at www.mainelobstermen.org or call 207-967-4555 to join over the phone! Questions? [email protected] Page 20 Fishermen’s Voice April 2015
more-than-several-volume library. but for the quality of life while Oh, and a place of quietude where I’m living.” Yet, we all know or Well-Thumbed Cards more unread articles could be de- have heard of neighbors or the fa- vised would need consideration. mous in terrific physical condition Quarter-centu- replaced teeth sculp- Where paint would be daubed on canceled out in prime of life. Pair ry younger, when tured from which canvas. Certainly not in AJ’s liv- of Aces, Full House, Dead Hand. alarm clock would we built boat parts, ing room, and the project began Playing the dealt hand to the full- ring me from a warm all accompanied by to take on a direction of its own. est, in my humble opinion, is re- bed and signal time friendly remind- With tape measure in hand, draft- ally about all a human can expect to tie on the jeezless ers of how I need ing board in full swing, and reali- to do and have some fun in the running clogs, step to walk at least 50 meantime. out in what memory miles a week to re- I’ve got to believe he played And, along that rhumb line, for seems was always main healthy (?). those with a few well-worn cards freezing temps, at Now, to be per- those the cards well. matching mine, I’m happy to re- very least cold no fectly upfront, I’m port my latest martini recipe is matter the season, Lee S. Wilbur not too overly bur- zation this was a one-man project gaining ground, been named “Lee- I’d wonder if reach- dened with belief in (with occasional help when four boy,” and at least two bartenders ing the big 7-0 was in my deck of all this walking and gym stuff. I hands were needed). Project was have remembered the ingredi- cards. Already’d lost some twenty look at my uncle, “Skip” Parsons. set in motion. Summers and falls, ents...... 2 ozs. Good Vodka, Half percent of classmates from High Flirting with ninety, that’s “90.” and then only few days a week cap of good Pinot Grigio, “Shaken, School. Time of life when health Every time I see him, and never were time available. More after not Stirred” (Vigorously), with supplements of every description, often enough with his significant retirement. Many several were a rub around the rim of a cold prescription, and price jammed other, Shirley, who’s in mid 80s 10- and 12-hour days. Nights in- martini glass and twisted, a peel that set-aside kitchen cupboard, and you’d swear just left 60s, he clusive, figuring next step or how (green only) of a fresh lime. when most were tried for few tells me he’s having to slow down to maneuver timbers into place And, keeping the intake of good weeks or months, then realized re- a bit. Meaning, in his parlance, alone. Always something to look food in mind, we’ve been trying a ally weren’t the panaceas TV ads, he’ll take a break on the front forward to. Get done at the end of few new directions in the rattled cocktail party friend’s recommen- porch perhaps twice a day from a day, probably used most muscles pans area, including this one with dations, and well-meaning doctors tending their quarter-acre gar- I owned and some I didn’t recall. Italian simple in mind. cracked them up to be. Still occa- den, the raspberry patch, keep- Felt great. Each step was an ac- sionally find a bottle tucked away, ing the property looking like a complishment. Stop. Look back. RECIPE tablets lost color, kind of all melted spread in “House Beautiful,” tak- Enjoy the pride. Began to realize, Find and keep a good olive oil together, marvel at expense and ing vegetables around to friends perhaps this was what good aging, on hand. Go to one of the new what they must surely cost now. and neighbors, or collecting road good health was about. Remaining shops where you can sample and Only one I take of the myriad has kill for an indigenous bird they’ve active with body and the mind. buy the one you like the taste of survived and I sometimes wonder befriended. Skip never stops. Al- Every deck of cards, thankfully, best. Use for special recipes. if that’s just a head thing. ways seems to have another pro- is different. Several spend their Boil off some yellow or redskin This month, before Mike has ject in mind. Something to look days in intense exercise. Tread- potatoes and allow to cool. Slice perpetrated another issue of this forward to. Friday nights, if the mill, biking 30 miles, swimming desired number into approx. 3/16 now venerable publication upon roads clear, they drive the fifty- oceans. Others chart a course slices. Mix in 2 tablespoons of the a suspecting public, I will have odd miles to Brewer, dance at the from chair to chair or chair to bed good oil, a tablespoon of rice vine- recorded two extra years in the singles club till coming on eleven, wherever the desired television gar (more if needed), and sprinkle initial proposition replete with then drive home. He’s been dealt resides. Exercise being a trip to with a few tablespoons of rather medical records of knee replace- a good hand. However, I’ve got to Wal-Mart or the dining table. And, finely chopped basil, or chives, or ment, sciatica back operation, believe he played those the cards the beauty of it all. It’s our choice. green of spring onion. One only... cancerous body part, usual aches, well. Longevity perhaps, and only per- experiment. And coming from a pains, loss of hair, loss of hearing Some ten years ago, when sus- haps, bows in the direction of the Maine boy who still loves Maine (replaced with ringing titled by an picion arose I just might turn the exercised. And, as a good friend potatoes, this is not a travesty. innocuous name Tinnitus), muscle corner of 70, I decided I just might and breakfast companion has They’re delicious. ! spasms in the night, spine requir- need a workshop. Then, thought mentioned several times, “I exer- Fair Winds and Good Roads ing semi-annual alignment, few occurred, needed place to put my cise not for trying to live longer, – Lee Wilbur CLASSIFIEDS Be One of the 80% Who Have Sold Their Boats Here. ADVERTISE YOUR COMMERCIAL BOAT IN THE ONLINE FISHERMEN’S VOICE FREE! Go To www.fishermensvoice.com for details.
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MEETING from page 15 in developing industry strength efforts for financial rewards that through image and value. Market- they would not soon see. However, said, “Based on the presentation, it ing efforts by the Maine Lobster he said he was confident that, in looks like we are at a tipping point. Marking Collaborative include fo- time, this effort to create overall My fear is, we are going to reach a cusing efforts on changing the im- better value would result in higher point of no return. We need to do a age of early-season lobster by re- prices for lobstermen. This was a better job of educating fishermen ferring to it as “new-shell lobster.” tough sell as the topic resurfaced and the public. When I was a kid, Holden’s company, Luke’s Lobster, throughout discussions of improved science was king. Now, if you don’t of Saco, Maine, has 13 higher-end handling. Speakers noted that like the science, you can pay some- restaurants on the East Coast and stress is a cause of die-off in caught one to say that science isn’t right.” a lobster processing plant. Holden lobster. In addition, they said, poor Scientists pointed out that the said terms such as “soft-shell,” handling that results in the loss of a northwest Atlantic is warming and “shedders” and “bugs” diminish the leg or claw, or in a cracked shell, can
becoming more acidic more quick- image of the product. They are con- photo Voice Fishermen’s immediately convert a top-grade ly than any other place on earth. trary to an image of a quality, de- Grand Manan lobsterman Lawrence hard-shell lobster to a bottom-grade Ocean monitoring and establishing sirable product that this grade of Cooke. “Show me the money,” said product that will go to a processor, baselines were seen as high priori- lobster needs in order to compete in Cooke to the call for better lobster not a dinner plate in Hong Kong. handling practices. He said he would ties. the international marketplace. see none of the money from the effort. Other threats to lobster health Scientist Tim Bowden said one Presenters said that leading sea- Maine lobsterman David Cousens said led to a discussion by Lobster In- of the most troubling facts is the food markets are in Europe, United his co-op instituted better handling stitute Executive Director and ma- increased rate of climate change in States and Asia. They said that sea- practices and realized higher profits. “It rine biologist Bob Bayer, describing the last 10 years. Bowden said, “One food consumer habits are changing. was not a lot of money, but enough to current research on the effects of way to bring ocean acidity back to a The trend in China is for people to make it worth doing,” said Cousens. modern, high-speed haulers on lob- normal level would be with a 4-bil- order dinner online and pick it up is taken from the trap, measured, ster survival. Bayer said high-speed lion-pound Alka Seltzer tablet. But on the way home from work. While put in a tank, then a tote, off-loaded ascent through the water column even that would not address the there remains a large market for to a wharf, stored, then loaded on a has detectable impacts on lobster. other half of of the carbon which is hard-shell live lobster in Asia, as truck that may not be refrigerated He suggested evidence of this could in the atmosphere.” Bowden said markets there expand lobster prod- for what may be a long, rough ride. be seen by hauling lobster at slower that taking action now to mitigate uct types are becoming more varied Careful handling throughout these and higher speeds, placing them climate change could result in no- to serve wider market demands. and any other hazards in the sup- in separate crates and checking ticeable progress. However, even The Boston Seafood Show in March ply chain can reduce stress on an on them a week later. Mortality is ceasing use of coal and oil would not was an indication that there are animal that had spent its life before significantly higher for lobster that address the backlog of atmospheric large foreign markets that are will- being caught in cold water on the came up through the water at high carbon dioxide, he said. ing to pay for higher quality, pre- ocean floor, presenters said. speed, he said. Acidification is effecting the rate senters said. “Show me the money,” was Bayer said scientists detected that lobster larvae pass though the Grand Manan lobsterman Law- a fatal bacteria in some of the lob- early stages of development, which “My fear is, we are going to rence Cooke’s response. Cooke said sters that were dying. Eventually, leaves them as prey for a longer pe- reach a point of no return.” to take on additional tasks related biopsies discovered a condition riod. The acidic saturation point is to specialized handling would add they named “jelly heart” in lobster – David Cousens, lobsterman is know for clams and corals, but time and labor to a fishing sched- hauled at high speed.The bacteria not for lobster. Twenty-five years ule with none to spare. He said he enters the heart effectively collaps- of settlement data showed both a Discussion also centered on the believed fishermen would get no ing it. The result is a smaller ge- surge lobster and a recent retrac- question of handling lobster, with financial reward for their effort. latinous, low functioning heart. He tion was seen as an “early warning the aim of ensuring the product’s Cooke said dealers and processors explained that high-speed travel system” marker. This was just one condition. This raised the question would reap the benefits of fisher- up through the changing pressure unknown discussed in the context of boat price. Careful handling, pre- men’s efforts in this area. in the water column makes the lob- of market growth and development. senters said, must occur through- Spiros Toukakis, said he under- ster’s gut permeable and the bacte- New strategies in marketing out the lobster’s transit. Transit stood the concerns of lobstermen re- ria enters their system eventually and handling lobster were factors points include the time the lobster garding the demands of additional killing them. ! • PRODUCTS & SERVICES • ELLSWORTH CHAINSAW HUSQVARNA & STIHL SAWS MSC Certified Sustainable Servicing All Major Brands All Maine, Trap to Table 207-667-2275 6 million lbs in 2013 and growing. Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton www.lindabeansmainelobster.com www.ellsworthchainsaw.com
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BOAT BUILDING from page 13
Ribs bent into a tight radius are split for half their upper length. The difference between the inner and outer radius is visible in the the ends of the two halves Several floors (dark red), each a unique shape based being clamped to a ribband. This technique avoids While one crew member forces down the hot rib from the on the shape of the hull section, are attached to the stress cracks in the rib later. inside (above), Jeff Hanley clamps the rib to a ribband. keel. Here Sam Jones is drilling holes for driving metal drift pins that fasten the floor to the keel. Later planks will be fastened to the lower edges of the floors. The shaft passes though the floor being drilled. The two floors under Sam, the two in front of him with cutouts for the engine and the one behind him will carry the two parallel 14' x 4-1/2" x 7" white oak engine beds.
P.S. The boat yard dog at John’s Bay Boat Com- pany noted that her name was misquoted in Part I. It is Phoebe, not Fifi !!
At this angle the only part of the keel visible now is the stem in the background. The molds, ribbands, NEXT MONTH PART III, Andy Dickens, left and Jeff Hanley in the final stages ribs and red floors are all in position. Note the of getting the molds, ribbands and ribs in place before stabilizer braces nailed to the molds and the walls left PLANKING THE HULL planking begins. and right. Maine Boatbuilders Show at Portland The 3-day boatbuilders show in Portland, Maine drew crowds in spite of and maybe because of the weather on the third weekend in March. Boat owners and enthusiasts, an- ticipating the possibility of spring weather that will enable the launch of or purchase of a boat, wove their way through the options at the show. Those who didn’t leave with a boat
Glass over cold molded with power to spare – Middleton Boatworks.
would have found plenty of the stuff Heavy aluminum one off. boats always seem to need. The show is unique in its range of ven- dors – small wooden skiffs and big wooden sailboats, fiberglass power boats and yachts, fishing boats, tool and engine dealers, antique tools, navigation charts, aluminum boats, maritime books, maritime crafts, vid- eos, marine suppliers and of course, surf boards. When is a table a boat?
Hot Tuna. All kinds of woodworking hand tools – Jeff Pearson Antique Tools. April 2015 Fishermen’s Voice Page 23
BACK THEN River Driver A river driver, peavey in hands, from an active venereal disease. They on the East Branch of the Penobscot, wrapped themselves in dirty rags about 1901. Fred Sewall, a woods- and worked in the cold water all day, man of the era, looked at this photo slept in their wet clothes all night on and declared that the driver’s woolen a thin padding of brush, and swore shirt was scarlet, his hat a Stetson. to God they would rather have it Dry socks nest in the back pockets of than a bad cold. They rolled her high his heavy woolen pants; pant cuffs wide and handsome until their late are gatored to keep them from catch- thirties when they would feel the first ing on his sharp boot caulks. A gener- twinge of rheumatism. Their kidneys ation earlier, C.W. Willis had already would begin to give difficulty, stom- described this fellow perfectly: ach trouble would make itself known The other day I fell in with one and they would curse the cooks for of those sunburnt, flannel-shirted putting saltpeter in the food. young fellows who are so familiar In the early 1900s, Fred Sewall, to Bangorians—a river driver—and a tall and strapping young woods- had a short chat with him. He was man from Island Falls, was return- of a muscular build and carried ing home from Bangor when he mis- with him that hearty manner pecu- takenly boarded one of two cars that liar to the Penobscot rivermen, and had been reserved for drivers bound he talked quite intelligently, if un- for Norcross. On the platform, stand- duly loud, as he punched the floor ing in their stockings with their full of little holes with his caulked sharp-caulked boots slung around shoes. To one unused to such things their necks, they looked as sweet as a river driver’s costume looks very lambs. As soon as all were aboard, uncomfortable—the heavy trousers however, the wise old conductor and shirt, woolen socks, and ponder- locked the doors and the “river hogs” ous shoes or boots. He is always wet, began to fight, destroying the inte- apparently, even after he has been off rior of the car in the process. They the logs for days. It is his natural con- battled the entire journey, swing- dition. “Oh, that’s to let the water out ing their caulked shoes like medi- and keep my feet from scalding,” he eval maces. Blood flowed copiously a crew of Indians from the Tobique Text by William H. Bunting from A replied. River driving he thought was from scalp wounds. Fred snagged a River, New Brunswick. He was Days Work, Part 1, A Sampler of His- a pretty tough job until one got used heavy bottle as it was sailing past growing elderly at the time, and he toric Maine Photographs, 1860–1920, to it, but after initiation it was not so his ear, backed into a corner, and recalled that “they looked out for Part II. Published by Tilbury House bad, and a man who had driven logs held the fort. There was no way he me and favored me as my own sons Publishers, 12 Starr St., Thomaston, for a little while wants to do nothing could get out at Island Falls. At Nor- would have done.” Maine. 800-582-1899. ! else. The [Bangor] Industrial Jour- cross, when the doors were finally nal, Aug. 7. 1885. unlocked and the bloodied company Gerald Averill’s description of tallied, one man was missing, having One of Portland’s Most Experienced drivers on the Penobscot a genera- either exited or been ejected through “ tion later took a different slant: a window of the moving train. Maritime and Admiralty Lawyers.” The younger men who followed Certain rules of conduct were – Portland Press Herald the camps and rivers had just two observed. While property—like thoughts in mind and just two topics railroad cars—might suffer inci- LAW OFFICE OF of conversation—rum and women. dentally from the rowdyism, there You might hunt the world over and was no vandalism, per se. Butting, NICHOLAS H. WALSH, P.A. fail to find a breed to compare with eye-gouging, kicking and stomping • Vessel Sales 25 Years as a Maritime Lawyer them in sheer blasphemy, profanity, with caulks—the results of a caulk- • Documentation Former Coast Guard Officer, Merchant Mariner & Commercial Fisherman lechery and drunkenness .... ing were termed a case of “loggers’ Admiralty and Maritime Law • Commercial Law It was generally believed at this small pox”—were permitted, even • Fisheries time that a youth could not rightly encouraged. The use of knives was Violations LOBSTER VIOLATIONS call himself a man until he had con- not. Although some injuries were in- • Ship Arrests tracted a good case of gonorrhea, and deed serious, most just looked that • Salvage Call us at 800-307-6238 way. No fighting was allowed once there was no question as to the manly • Collision status of most of them. They were the drive began. 207-772-2191 strong and they were tough and they William Sewall, Fred Sewall’s fa- • Permit Transfers [email protected] • nicholaswalsh.com had to be. A man must be practically ther and long a boss river driver on indestructible in order to work up to the Aroostook, recalled that among 120 Exchange Street, P.O. Box 7206, Portland ME 04112 his waist in icy water while suffering the best drivers he ever had were
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