LOBSTERMEN’SMAAINEI ASSOCIATIONNE
BBetteretter IInformed,nformed, BBetteretter DDecisionsecisions January 2012 Vol 20, No 1 Lobstermen take part in right whale survey
By Heather Tetreault tanding on a dock at 4:00 a.m. is a regular practice for SMLA Board members Bobby Ingalls of Bucks Har- bor and Mike Myrick of Cushing. Early on December Sea lice treatments 13 we all stood at the Southwest Harbor dock waiting to board the 112-foot catamaran Friendship V, bound for Jordan Basin in search of North Atlantic right whales. trouble lobstermen As the boat steamed out in rough, choppy seas, Dr. Moi- ra Brown, senior scientist at the New England Aquarium By Chris Bartlett (NEA) explained to the team — approximately 20 scien- tists and researchers — that the survey trip was funded n early November, 2011, Environment Canada by the Canadian Wildlife Foundation. Two weeks earlier Ibrought charges against Cooke Aquaculture for aerial surveys had spotted right whales in Jordan Basin illegal pesticide use that was linked to dead lobsters and Cashes Ledge so the vessel would spend the day in New Brunswick waters. The pesticide, cyperme- covering both areas. thrin, was allegedly used in an attempt to control sea Previously scientists were unsure where right lice, but it’s not clear how much was used or how whales mated. In the last few years, however, groups it was administered. This has prompted a number of right whales were discovered congregating in Jor- of Maine fi shermen to ask about the potential risks dan Basin and Cashes Ledge during the winter months, to lobsters associated with sea lice treatments on prompting researchers to hypothesize that these areas salmon farms. were where some whales spend the winter and mate. Sea lice are small marine crustaceans that feed Once the sun came up, a team of researchers stood on by rasping mucus, skin, and blood from a fi sh’s ex- the top deck with cameras and binoculars to search for Continued on page 9 Continued on page 16 Bobby Ingalls, right, aboard the RV Friendship V. Heather Tetreault photo. Portland Shellfish Co Proud Sponsor of the MLA Contact Scout at (207) 799-9290 • Email: [email protected] • www.pshellfish.com Work ahead for off shore wind proposal By Craig Idlebrook A week earlier, BOEM announced it had verifi ed the
PRST STD completeness of Statoil’s application and would begin First published on December 12, 2011, in The Working Wa- Permit No. 65 Permit No. the lengthy process of evaluating the proposal. An ap- terfront. Reprinted with permission. U.S. Postage Paid Postage U.S. plication for the project must also be approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission; a Maine PUC of- Brunswick, ME 04011 t a recent meeting, federal and state offi cials said fi cial said at the meeting that it was considering several they are just beginning to evaluate a bid for a small A proposals for wind or combination wind and tidal proj- wind farm in deep water off Boothbay, but already ects, including the Statoil plan; a decision on the propos- many ocean stakeholders are concerned. Some environ- als will be released in the next few months. mental and fi shing groups feel they don’t have a strong Aditi Mirani, BOEM Project Director for Maine, enough voice in the process, wind proponents say the emphasized that this was just the beginning of the pro- approval process is moving too slow and some offi cials cess and that BOEM will be looking for public input. admit there are critical data gaps to properly assess the The project would be considered a prototype, with project’s potential impact. just four turbines generating 12 MW on fl oating plat- On December 8, state and federal offi cials of the forms. It would be located within a 22-mile area of the Maine Task Force of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Man- Gulf of Maine. agement (BOEM) met in South Portland to discuss an United States Coast Guard Marine Transportation application of the Norwegian energy company Statoil Specialist George Detweiler said the proposed wind to build a 12-megawatt wind farm. The four wind tur- farm location didn’t seem to interfere with popular ship- bines would be put atop fl oating platforms rather than ping routes that went to Portland. anchored directly to the ocean fl oor, which would make “Statoil picked a fairly decent location, as far as traf- it the fi rst fl oating wind farm in the United States and fi c goes,” Detweiler said. However, he cautioned that the largest such project in the world. this initial assessment was based on a snapshot of 2009
Continued on page 7 INSIDE Building a business Lobster trap economics Why do we V-notch? Maine Lobstermen’s Association Maine Lobstermen’s #1 Ave. 21 Western ME Kennebunk, 04043 page 6 page 13 page 17 2 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION January 2012
Maine Lobstermen’s Steaming Ahead Association A dvocating for a erhaps it’s the mother in me, but I worry about you lob- overboard or being struck by a piece of equipment while sustainable stermen as you put your lives and health at risk each day working. Those who have survived serious accidents at sea lobster resource P when you go to work. It’s a well-known fact that commercial say that proper training is almost always a factor. None of us and the fi shermen and fi shing is one of our nation’s most dangerous professions. are immune to accidents so you must be prepared. ccommunities that Fishing in Maine is particularly dangerous because the water The winter traditionally has been a time to slow the pace depend on it is so cold, the tides strong and the weather – well, we all know down a little, work on your boat and gear, and get things in SinceS 1954 about the weather. order for the next busy fi shing season. It has also become a I am extremely grateful that Maine fi shermen did not suf- time to replace knees and hips, repair hernias, and get necks fer any casualties at sea this year. This is great news, given that and backs put back into alignment. The lobster industry suf- Board of Directors 27 Maine fi shermen have been lost at sea since 2000. Sadly, fers from a host of occupational injuries sustained on the boat ••• two Massachusetts lobstermen were lost this year, including and from hazards encountered in the workshop. So, as you : David Cousens President Peter Prybot, a well-known lobsterman from Gloucester who work on your boat this winter, think about new ways to set So. Th omaston, 207.594.7518 was a regular contributor to Commercial Fisheries News. your hauler or stack your gear that would minimize strain on : Jim Dow 1st VP It may sound cliché, but being prepared saves lives. Maine’s your body. As you prepare to spend time in your workshop Bass Harbor, 207.288.9846 excellent record at sea this year refl ects development of a true during the cold winter months, please think about your health. 2nd VP: Brian McLain New Harbor, 207.677.3377 culture of safety for our industry. The state has demonstrated Take the time to ventilate your shop or work outside when Sec/Treasurer: Arnold Gamage, Jr. a commitment to keeping fi shermen safe through the estab- you paint buoys or burn rope. So. Bristol, 207.644.8110 lishment of the Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Council As so many lobstermen -- both young and old -- work and through the requirement that student and apprentice lob- more and longer days to make up for the weak lobster price, Bob Baines, Spruce Head, 596.0177 stermen complete the drill conductor class in order to qualify the risk of accident and injury increases. It is easy to take your Shane Carter, Bar Harbor, 288.0236 for a commercial license. Popular television shows like “The health and your life for granted when you’re in the daily grind Dwight Carver, Beals, 497.2895 Deadliest Catch” have also done a lot to raise awareness about trying to earn enough money to live a comfortable life. But Gerry Cushman, Port Clyde, 372.6429 the dangers of working at sea and further deepen our empha- that life can’t ever be truly comfortable without your health. Jim Henderson, Camp Ellis, 282.0913 sis on safety. As an industry, lobstermen are known to push hard and Robert Ingalls, Bucks Harbor, 255.3418 I was struck by how pervasive the attention to safety on take a lot of pride in a strong work ethic. I urge each of you to Mark Jones, Boothbay, 633.6054 the water has become when I watched a recent interview of take time to think about your health and safety at sea. Think Jason Joyce, Swan’s Island, 526.4109 a young lobsterman, Abraham Beal from Beals Island, by a about the small things that you can do that will make a long- Jack Merrill, Islesford, 244-4187 student from Husson University. When asked what it takes term difference, such as signing up for a drill conductor class Tad Miller, Matinicus, 372.6941 to be a lobsterman he replied, “You have to have a good un- or making changes on deck or in your workshop. The goal is Mike Myrick, Cushing, 354.6077 derstanding about the ocean. The fi rst thing that my parents to remain healthy enough to enjoy those soon-to-come retire- Brad Parady, Kittery, 337.3141 – my dad and my grandfather -- always taught me was to have ment years – and it could save your life. Kristan Porter, Cutler, 259.3306 respect for the ocean because it’s a very powerful thing and Lawrence R. Pye, Small Point, 389.9131 could take your life at the snap of a fi nger.” I wish you a new year fi lled with health and good cheer! As Willis Spear, Yarmouth, 846.9279 What exactly does that respect mean in terms of Maine’s always, stay safe on the water. Jay Smith, Nobleboro, 563.5208 fi shermen? The Harvard School of Public Health did a study Craig Stewart, Long Island, 846.3158 of more than 250 Maine fi shing vessels in 2008 and 2009 and Elliott Th omas, Yarmouth, 846.6201 came up with both good news and bad Donald Young, Cushing, 354.6404 news when it comes to safety at sea. Jack Young, Vinalhaven, 863.4905 The good news is that nearly 100% of The Maine Lobstermen’s Association advocates the vessels were equipped with bilge for a sustainable lobster resource and the pumps, fi re extinguishers, radios, com- fishermen and communities that depend on it. Staff ••• passes, personal fl oatation devices, Tradition * Leadership * Fairness * Collaboration Executive Director fl ares, ring buoys and GPS. Nearly Patrice McCarron 207.967.4555 three-quarters of the boats had surviv- [email protected] al suits on board. And contrary to the MLA Membership Application pervasive myth, 84% of the fi shermen Industry Communications reported that they knew how to swim. Coordinator HARVESTER MEMBERS BUSINESS MEMBERS Melissa Waterman Only one-half of the vessels, however, ! Highliner*: $175 ! Regular: $100 ! Business Highliner: $250 (bold in newsletter directory) 207.691.2330 had EPIRBs, a critical piece of safety ! ! ! [email protected] Family**: $150 Over 65/Under 18: $50 Business: $125 equipment. And it’s not enough to *receive an MLA hat **provide names of family members to be included in membership Business Name: ______ Whale Projects Coordinator have the right equipment onboard -- it Contact: ______ Heather Tetreault must be properly serviced and in good FRIEND OF THE MLA 207.967.4555 ! Friend: $50 Address: ______ [email protected] working condition for it to count. On the bad news side, less than 25% Name: ______ Town: ______ State: ______ Zip: ______ Education Coordinator of Maine fi shermen had participated in Address: ______ Annie Tselikis a drill conductor course or cold water Phone: ______ 800 #: ______ [email protected] Town: ______ training. I’ve spoken with so many fi sh- Email: ______ ermen over the years who have had a State: ______ Zip: ______ Education Assistant Website: ______ April Gilmore close call at sea – whether slipping on Phone: ______ Cell: ______ [email protected] deck, getting a boot wrapped in rope, DISCOUNTS — Yes! Our Business will offer discounts for goods or services to MLA members. (please describe): running aground, experiencing a man Email: ______ Communications Assistant ______ Sarah Paquette License #: ______Zone/District: ______ [email protected]
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION SPECIAL OFFERS Th e MLA newsletter is published monthly. It is provided for free to all Maine lobstermen thanks ! Contribution $______ ! $18.75…...Commercial Fisheries News to the support of newsletter sponsors. Th is month’s Please consider an additional contribution (include a separate check payable to CFN) to support MLA’s important work sponsor is Portland Shellfi sh Co. The third annual photo MLA LEGAL DEFENSE contest ends on Jan. 15! MLA’s Legal Defense Fund is dedicated to paying legal expenses associated with Hogan & Hartson’s pro bono Maine Lobstermen’s Association representation of MLA on whales and other issues 21 Western Ave., #1 ! Legal Fund Donation $______ (include a separate check payable to MLA Legal Defense Fund) Kennebunk, ME 04043 Best crew, best bait, best scenic and best action photographs [email protected] are welcome! Pay by: Check ______ Visa ______ MasterCard ______ Total Amount: $______ www.mainelobstermen.org Send entries to melissa@main- Card #: ______ ______ ______ ______ Expiration Date:______ Our newsletter is now online! elobstermen.org or to 33 Grove Card Validation Number (last 3 digits on signature strip on back of card): ______ St., Rockland ME, 04841. Signature: ______ January 2012 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 3 Protecting large lobsters is crucial Guest Column
By Diane Cowan Older lobsters have survival know-how. They have evaded predators, including humans; they have survived First published on December 1, 2011, in The Bangor Daily harsh weather, disease and maybe pesticide fl oods and News. Reprinted with permission. thermal stress. Large females are more fecund, carrying more, larger embryos, and they travel greater distances, he largest lobster recorded in the scientifi c lit- thereby spreading their genes far and wide, resulting in erature was caught off Cape Cod in 1974 and T a higher probability of success. weighed 42.5 pounds. This behemoth was a male who While a strong population can cope with an on- was probably 100 years old. slaught of natural and human-derived threats, a com- Large lobsters are essential to the health of the fi sh- promised population cannot. The collapse of the lob- ery, but we haven’t managed them that way. Current ster fi shery in southern New England is a warning to rules almost guarantee that we will never again see such Maine and Canada: rising temperatures, pesticides and a giant lobster. After decades of trust that the fi shery disease might have been survivable except that they was well managed and lobster landings could remain were acting on a weakened population. The result was high despite heavy fi shing, I’m worried. catastrophic. The same thing could happen here. A population can take only so many violations of In an ideal world, lobstermen would land plenty of nature’s rules for its survival, and nature’s rules for lobsters at a good price while leaving suffi cient num- lobsters operate over a time scale of decades. Females bers on the bottom to keep the population fi t by re- lobster take about a decade to reach sexual maturity, Diane Cowan of Friendship is executive director of the producing for many decades, as nature intended. Un- Lobster Conservancy. Diane Cowan photo. just like human females (age at fi rst menses for half of fortunately, at minimum legal size, less than half the human girls worldwide is 10. That’s not when most or females are mature. As a result, few lobsters reproduce a few centurions survive. Instead, Maine has loosened all are mature, just the earliest half.) Lobsters can then even once. its lobster rules by condoning the harvesting of “over- reproduce for many more decades and, unlike humans, Females carrying embryos on their abdomens are sized” lobsters. can theoretically grow and reproduce indefi nitely. protected, and that’s good. But when captured, they are Maine was a leader in lobster conservation, the fi rst But fi shing pressure is so intense that few lobsters V-notched to mark them as breeders. The mark is an to outlaw taking lobsters with carapaces longer than reach maturity. Of the record 94.7 million pounds of open wound that increases susceptibility to disease and fi ve inches, or about 3.5 to 4 pounds. Although Maine lobster Maine landed in 2010, an estimated 95 percent predation, with no evidence that notching helps either lobstermen still may not harvest them and ground fi sh- had just molted into the minimum legal size of about a them or the fi shery. ermen may not land them here, Maine recently passed pound and a quarter — less than eight to ten years old. In my three decades of studying lobsters, I conclude a law that allows processors to purchase “oversized” Imagine a world in which 95 percent of eight-year- that the biggest fi shery management problem is how lobsters from Canada and states that allow capture. old humans are removed every year. It would still be to keep the population balanced among young and old This creates a market that will be sure to be fi lled at the possible to maintain the global population, but if some lobsters. Current management measures don’t ensure expense of the lobster population. disaster or epidemic swept the planet, there would be that future generations of fi shermen will benefi t from The Gulf of Maine lobster fi shery is surviving on little chance of recovery. That’s the situation with lob- future lobster generations. luck. Will our luck hold despite this latest assault? I sters. Most have vanished by age eight. That leaves few My view is that the only way to guard the Gulf of hope so, but the question is keeping me awake at night. to grow old with proven survival genes to pass to the Maine fi shery against a disastrous crash such as the next generation. one south of Cape Cod is to guarantee that at least 4 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION January 2012 Learn the four P’s of marketing lobsters
By Catherine Schmitt from the clean, cold waters of the Gulf of Maine. Lobster (with the exception of the tomalley) is low in mercury. here’s been lots of talk over the years about marketing lobster. And over the People are looking for healthy food. Lobster is low in fat and cholesterol. years, most lobstermen claim that marketing isn’t their job—their job is to fi sh. T People are stressed out and don’t have time to cook and pick the meat from Now, through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program, lobstermen are learning whole lobster. People don’t want shells, bones, feet, skin, hair, anything in their food that their job—harvesting wild animals from the sea for profi t—is really a business. that suggests the creature’s former self. Those helping to run the TAA program, including Annie Tselikis of MLA, say Where are these people, your potential customers? How do you reach them? Fol- that even those lobstermen who prefer to think of their occupation as a trade, an art low the four Ps of marketing: even, need to know something about the business. “If they understand the market, Your Product must have some perceived value: nutrition, taste, convenience, lo- the factors that control demand and price, then they can make better decisions about cale. Lobstermen have known for years that quality is part of this value, and Maine’s how lobster is promoted, managed, etc.,” said Tselikis at a recent training in Machias. industry can’t afford to let quality slip. “For example, I’m hearing more and more lobstermen talking about investing differ- Your Price refl ects your product’s level of quality, and this is what so many people ently in promotion. In order to know how to make such changes, they have to know are working hard to change. “We realized in 2008 that customers are very sensitive to something about the market beyond the dock.” the cost of lobster. Now, we have a cost-price squeeze — fi shing costs more because Lobster is a tiny slice of the global seafood pie. Lobster bait and fuel prices are up, but dockside price is down. We have to work toward de- veloping a better option, either individually or industry-wide. People are frustrated is not among the top ten seafoods consumed in the to the point of wanting to make some changes,” explained Tselikis. Finding ways to United States. cut costs or make a fi shing operation more effi cient can lessen this squeeze. Your product must be promoted or advertised to let customers know what it is, where it can be purchsed and why is it better than the competition. What image do So, about that market. Seafood consumption—demand—is increasing world- you want to project? How do you want people to think of your product? What can wide. Walmart is the world’s largest seafood retailer. Wild fi sheries—supply—have you do to brand your lobster or your harbor by using tools such as names, logos and leveled off, and aquaculture products are making up the difference to satisfy this tag lines? Maine seafood has a solid, quality brand, but we can do so much more. demand. Lobster is one of the few remaining “wild” fi sheries that has not been Finally, you need to think about the Place where you sell your product. Direct devastated, as the record landings of recent years attest. marketing is an option, but it isn’t for everyone. Selling your catch directly to chefs Lobster is a tiny slice of the global seafood pie. Lobster is not among the top ten and consumers is time-consuming and takes people skills. It does, however, allow seafoods consumed in the United States (those include shrimp, salmon, and canned you to control the price, to focus on value and quality. Community Supported Fish- tuna). But changing trends may create opportunities for the Maine lobster. eries are an option for some but may not work in rural areas, where locals get their People are looking for American products, for local food. Homarus americanus or seafood from friends and family. Your neighbors might not be the customers who American lobster, makes up 55 percent of the global supply of lobsters (the other are going to pay extra for predetermined delivery, or buy a value-added product they 45% includes spiny lobster, rock lobster, and European lobster). Of that American can make themselves. Many lobster businesses have found that the Internet is the lobster, more than half comes from Canada. New processing facilities and regula- fastest and least expensive way to fi nd buyers, at least until local demographics or tions are trying to change this ratio. And services like localharvest.org and Market- the seasons change. maker, as well as several Maine-based initiatives, are working to make local seafood Product, Price, Promotion, Place—more things for the twenty-fi rst century lob- more accessible to local people. sterman to think about. People want “sustainable” seafood (although everyone has a different idea of what that means) and a small “carbon footprint.” They want to be able to trace their Catherine Schmitt is the Maine Sea Grant science communicator. fi sh from sea to plate. People want organic and chemical free foods. Lobster comes
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I V O toPatrick gives support MLA Keliher arc carn nbhl o teMABado Directors theMLABoardof of Patrice onbehalf McCarron, leader readyleadthedepartment. ourluck withanunprovenafford totry candidatewhenwe have aknown andproven toourindustry. whatisimportant We cannot strong visionandanunderstandingof Commissioner. Olsentenure was The toughforeveryone, andwe needaleaderwith and federalwhalerules. stakeholders onissuessuch asthelobsterindustry’sindustry system limitedentry cult shrimpregulationswe arefacingthisyear, andhisleadershipinreaching outto thebox tohelpMainecope with thediffi by hiswillingnesstothinkoutsideof an extremelyconstructive meetingwithMr. Keliher. We have alsobeenimpressed he listens, asksquestions, ideas, challenges andhasshown leadershipforourindustry. our fi ship. Mr. to Keliher hasauniqueabilitytounderstandtheissuesthatareimportant troversial issues, andwe have heardconsistentlypositive feedback fromourmember- representatives.merous smallmeetingswithindustry Marine FisheriesCommission,MaineLobsterPromotionCouncilBoard,andnu- rectors’ meetings, zonecouncilmeetings, Council,AtlanticStates LobsterAdvisory settingswhich includeMLADi- summer, him working andobserved inavariety of worked closelywithMr. Keliher sincehisappointmentasActingCommissionerthis hisabilitytolistenandleadourindustry. taken noticeof hastruly that theindustry However,agement. itisthroughMr. Keliher’s roleasActingDMRCommissioner through which hehasproved hiscompetencyin thefi SeaRun Fisheries Maine’s Bureauof tion Association(CCA)andtheDirectorof theCoastalConserva- know Mr. Keliher over theyearsthroughhiswork asheadof overwhelmingly Mr.organization supports Keliher. ManyintheMLAhave to gotten discussions onpotentialcandidatestoleadourmarineresourcesagency, andour MarineResources MLABoardhashadmany (DMR).The of the MaineDepartment E J RY COMPETITIVELOBSTER R E The MLA strongly urges you join us in supporting Pat you joinusinsupporting MLAstronglyurges KeliherThe asthenextDMR Island,whohad onMonhegan MLA hasheardpositive fromlobstermen reports MLAhasbeenimpressedby Mr.The Keliher’s sensitivity oncomplexandcon- andmembership, has MLA’sThrough ourorganization Directors, staff Boardof A shermen andcoastalcommunities.shermen Hedoesnotpretendtoknow itall--instead T nMAssrn nosmn f arc eie osrea omsinro on MLA’s Patrick asCommissionerof Keliher toserve strongendorsementof theMaineLobstermen’s Association,Iamwritingtoupdateyou of n behalf E S 3 A N D COMPETITIVE RATES AND BROAD COVERAGE AND BROAD COVERAGE RATES COMPETITIVE B t5FMt'BY t R O t'BY aur 02 AN OSEMNSASCAIN 5 MAINELOBSTERMEN’SASSOCIATION January 2012 A D C G O 1 V E From theDock R A G L t E COMPETITIVERATES ANDBROADCOVERAGE t C O M 0 P E T I T U I J V BOAT PROG E R A T E edo marineresourceman- eld of S A N D COMPETITIVE RATES AND BROAD COVERAGE AND BROAD COVERAGE RATES COMPETITIVE t B R O A RAMS D C O V E R A G
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t t t t t E P M O C E G A R E V O COVERAGE C D A O R BROAD B D N AND A S E T A A A RATES R E V I T I T E P M O COMPETITIVE C COMPETITIVE RATES AND BROAD COVERAGE COVERAGE BROAD AND RATES COMPETITIVE BROAD COVERAGE BROAD COVERAGE AND RATES COMPETITIVE - 6 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION January 2012 New Recruit Building a business, one step at a time
By Annie Tselikis had Dorr’s childhood home is at the end of Bar Island Road in Milbridge, CMaine. The long dirt road hugs the coast of Steuben and Milbridge in upper Pigeon Hill Bay. The son of a local lobsterman, his business, Dorr Lobster, is lo- cated on that same plot of land. “Pretty much everyone in my family fi shes – my dad, uncles, cousins, grandfather. Everyone fi shes but me,” he said. But that was not always the case. Chad graduated from high school in 1997 and enrolled at Husson College later that year. “I started with a two-year program and fi gured that if something hap- pened to me, at least I’d have my education,” he explained. But Chad started college the same year that the lobstering apprentice program began. “I didn’t renew my license that year. So now I’m kind of caught,” he said. He graduated in 2001 with a degree in business management yet wanted to stay in the fi shing industry. Thus Dorr Lobster was born. “We poured the foundation for the tank room on July 27, 2001. We were up and running in early August. And then September 11 hit,” he said, explaining that it was then that he really felt the impact of the global market. During the ten years since Chad Dorr in front of his company’s ground pounds in Milbridge. Photo by Annie Tselikis. Chad launched his business, he has continued to grow – building a second ground other line will be a Dorr – either Chad, his wife Stephanie, or his parents. The com- pound, buying product off boats in his area and around the downeast region, then pany’s remote location in eastern Maine comes with certain challenges. Chad can’t selling those lobsters direct to the consumer. “Right now I’m at about 30% Web air-freight lobsters because the business is so far from Boston. But because his vol- sales and the rest wholesale, but I’m trying to change that balance” he said, not- ume is small and he emphasizes direct-to-consumer sales, UPS and Fedex services ing his passion for the Maine lobster product. “I live in Maine, I support Maine work for daily shipping and pick up. “I enjoy what I do, but it does get frustrating. and I buy off of Maine fi sher- The dealer end is hard because you have to worry about supply and demand,” Chad men. That’s what I’m trying to admits. “If you have too much product, you can’t sell it. If you have too little prod- sell.” Chad, like many members uct, you can’t get it to them.” of the Maine industry, is frus- In October, 2011, Chad participated in the annual Harvest on the Harbor festival trated when he sees outfi ts from in Portland for the fi rst time. Maine’s premier food and wine trade show gave Chad Rhode Island and other New and Stephanie the opportunity to talk directly with consumers, the company’s pri- England states marketing their mary market. “It’s good to see what they expect and to tell them about the services local product as a Maine lob- we provide,” Chad said. ster. “Maine lobsters are from Chad has served on the Maine Lobster Promotion Council board of directors Maine,” he said emphatically. and continues to participate in various trade shows and exhibitions throughout the Dorr Lobster is a small fami- year. He particularly likes the International Boston Seafood Show (IBSS) which ly-owned business, so small that Chad calls an incredible opportunity. “I like to go and see what’s new and how I can when you call to place an order, benefi t from new technologies and see what else is out there,” he said. Dorr Lobster Co. sells primarily direct to the consumer. anyone you speak with on the Annie Tselikis photo. January 2012 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 7 Maine Lobstermen’s Association Board of Directors: Dwight Carver, Beals Island & Tad Miller, Matinicus Island
By Sarah Paquette “I would love to see a young guy step up to the MLA board of directors,” Carver said. “I’ll miss it, when that time comes. n 1996, the MLA board of directors welcomed Dwight Carv- The fellowship we have is good. We have our differences, but I er of Beals to the board. “I don’t remember why they asked I don’t think we’ve ever left a meeting hating each other. I like the me to join, but I did because I was interested in the business,” different opinions. It’s the only way to grow.” Carver said. He believes it is important to be involved in the Tad Miller of Matinicus also looks forward to the company industry now more than ever. “I’m very proud of the MLA,” of his fellow directors each month. “The meetings are always he said. “The organization is on top of things and it has more interesting and there are good people on the board,” he said. clout than ever. If not for the MLA, fi shing would be diffi cult.” Miller was elected to the MLA board of directors in 2006 af- Carver has been impressed by MLA’s executive director, Patrice ter he and Gerry Cushman attended a meeting to hear from McCarron. “I’m super proud of her. She is so full of knowledge the DMR Commissioner. “I think every person in the industry and can stand up to anyone,” he said. should belong to an industry organization,” he said. “It’s the best Carver knows that being involved in leadership is important chance we have to be represented.” Miller noted that it is often and that it means missing days on the water. He and other in- diffi cult to balance meetings with fi shing, but he made MLA volved lobstermen understand that they miss a few thousand Photo by Annie Tselikis. meetings a priority when he was elected to the board. “I think dollar days to attend the meetings. “But it’s worth it because I’m Tad Miller, above, joined the board in 2006. if people would come to an open MLA board meeting, it would getting to be one of the older guys out there, so I’m fi ghting for Dwight Carver, below, has served since 1996. help them understand the workings of the board. We have some a way to keep young guys fi shing,” he said. “The industry has really good people there, all the way to the top, to Patrice. I think been good to me, so I want to pay it back. I want to make sure it’s people would be impressed if they got to see what we do and they good for younger guys the way it has been for me.” would fi nd the MLA worth supporting.” In addition to serving on the MLA board of directors, Carver Miller said that it is important for people to be involved because also serves on the board of the Penobscot East Resource Center it can decrease the amount of confusion and misunderstanding on (PERC) and is the district four representative for Zone A. “I was issues the industry faces. “It’s important for people to weigh in on asked to be a representative and attend meetings in January for subjects, to hear and learn about where other people are coming the whale situation [Take Reduction Team], so I said yes,” Carver from, and then voice their opinions. Lots of people don’t go to said. “I wish younger guys would take an interest in leadership. It’s meetings, so they don’t hear where people are coming from or their business. Until they start listening and paying attention, they what’s really going on,” he said. “Once you get talking about issues don’t know how important it is. The information is out there, but Photo courtesy of Penobscot East you fi nd it’s not as simple as what you hear over the radio.” I don’t know how much they pay attention.” Resource Center
Off shore wind continued from page 1 and 2010 shipping traffi c; 2011 data had yet to be analyzed. Also, the assessment estimated. And lobstering information that is collected often must be kept confi den- only tracked large ships using required transponders. Pleasure boats, lobster boats tial by collecting agencies. and large ships that shut the transponders off won’t show up in the Coast Guard Both BOEM members and advocates for fi shermen agreed there needed to be data. more outreach to connect with the fi shing community during the process. Several Detweiler added that the location selected might prove more problematic if BOEM members said they needed to hear more from the fi shing community, but Statoil tried to expand its wind farm in the future. He wished Statoil had been able advocates for fi shermen wished BOEM was more aggressive in its outreach. McCar- to submit a plan for expansion with its initial plan. ron pointed out that there was no contact information on the BOEM website for “They really don’t know, so we don’t know,” said Detweiler. the Maine Task Force members. “We need to fi gure out how to reach out to those There is less information to gauge the potential impact of the turbines on en- user groups more and more,” said Ben Martens, policy director for the Maine Coast dangered shorebirds, said Linda J. Welch, a biologist with the Maine Coastal Islands (formerly Midcoast) Fishermen’s Association. National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There is particular concern of the potential im- But while many worried about the project being on a fast track, at least one wind pact on endangered piping plover and roseate tern populations. Welch said Statoil power advocate felt the process was being slowed by one-size-fi ts-all regulations. incorrectly used an UMaine bird study that was meant to focus just for the area Dr. Habib J. Dagher, an UMaine professor of civil and structural engineering, said surrounding Monhegan Island to project impact on birds in the Boothbay region. that at a recent conference he attended on offshore wind energy, a presentation em- In reality, the scientifi c community still knows little about shorebirds and seabirds in phasized that the U.S. the Gulf of Maine, as a whole. “We have basically no information as to where those lagged badly behind birds go to fi nd food,” Welch said. other industrialized During the public question-and-answer period, fi shermen and fi shing offi cials nations in offshore expressed concern over a perceived lack of communication in the process. Some wind power develop- said the fi shing community felt caught off-guard by the announcement of the ap- ment. While other na- plication for the permit, but fi shermen are beginning to take notice. “The phone tions were generating is starting to ring; emails are starting to come in,” said Pat Keliher, acting commis- thousands of mega- sioner for the Maine Department of Marine Resources. watts of wind energy .75 mm Heavy Duty PVC/Cotton Portland tuna fi sherman Chris Weiner wishes Statoil and BOEM had consulted offshore, the U.S. had Construction with the fi shing community earlier in the process. The area proposed for the wind failed to generate one Neoprene inner “Storm Cuff” for added farm is located in prime fi shing ground for trawling, shrimping, gillnets and lobster- megawatt, Dagher comfort and protection ing, Weiner said. A NOAA map displayed briefl y during the meeting also showed said. Part of that delay Double welded seams high fi sh density in the proposed farm location. “You couldn’t have put a box in a was because prototype Double snap system for extra wind and worse place, in my opinion,” Weiner said. projects like this one rain protection Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, are being regulated like Pants have a second 35 mills layer of PVC worried there isn’t a lot of great data on lobstering trap patterns to quantify the pos- proposals for large- coated nylon welded and riveted for extra sible effects of the wind turbines and the laying of the transmission line in that area. scale wind projects, he wear resistance BBristol Bay® Only about 8 percent of lobstermen who fi sh in federal waters contribute data, she said. He wanted differ- Designed for Professionals ent criteria for evaluat- ing prototype projects. Colors – Orange and Forest Green Who is in charge? “Unless we put Call (413) 522-7406 for a Free Sample From the December 8 meeting, it’s clear that at least two federal and state agen- something in the water (Registered businesses only, limit one per business) cies hold the key to the future of Statoil’s plan to erect a prototype fl oating wind and see what happens, energy project in the Gulf of Maine: the Maine Public Utilities Commission we’re never going to and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The latter agency know,” Dagher said. Available at Professional Marine Suppliers everywhere may not sound familiar to many because it is new, at least in name. www.VikingWear.com or call (413) 522-7406 for more info 8 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION January 2012 Exploring the creative side of Maine’s lobstermen We all know the clichéd vision of Maine lobstermen so popular in the general imagination: sturdy, taciturn, stoic about both the hardships and beauty integral to lobster fi shing. They work hard, talk about engines and haulers, and when not fi shing, are getting ready to go fi sh. Yet many if not most lobstermen have hidden talents. This article continues our series about Maine lobstermen who are not only successful fi shermen but singers, poets, performers and artists.
By April Gilmore was able to buy his fi rst set of traps. He then set out to follow d Hutchins comes from a long line of fi shermen in Cape Porpoise. His family the family tradition, fi shing for roots date back to the 1760s and he grew up on the same street where he lives E lobster. today with his wife and daughter. Ed was fi rst drawn to building boats as a young The fi rst pond boat race in boy. “My grandfather always had this boat upstairs in his house,” he said, pointing Cape Porpoise was held at the to a weathered 40-inch model fi shing schooner nestled in a cradle. Carved from a pier in 1937. Reportedly the rac- block of wood, “it was built by my great-grandfather Victor E. Hutchins in 1916. es came about as a friendly com- He worked as a groundfi sherman on the big fi shing schooners during the turn of petition among local fi shermen the last century,” explained Hutchins. As a boy Hutchins was told that his great- who had built these model boats grandfather had traced an outline on the top of the block and then the sides, and for their children. Each year they “cut away at what didn’t look like a boat.” would gather at the fi shermen’s Growing up, Hutchins fi shed with his family off the coast of Cape Porpoise club where they would debate until the age of 14 when he started washing dishes in a local restaurant. After high who had the fastest model boat. school he decided to attend college out of state, graduating with a four-year degree The annual tradition continued in political science. Hutchins moved back to Cape Porpoise shortly after college and until the beginning of World War landed a job as an apprentice for a local cabinet maker. The position led him to start II. building pond boats, revisiting the fond memories of his great-grandfather’s model Hutchins was instrumental in fi shing schooner. organizing the next generation “I didn’t really know how to make a model, and couldn’t fi nd any books about of pond boat races at the Cape it so I just fi gured out how to do it and I taught myself,” Hutchins said. One day Porpoise pier in 1993. The idea the owner of a local art gallery saw one of his models and asked if he could buy it. was enthusiastically received, es- Hutchins gave him a Ed Hutchins and one of his model fi shing vessels. pecially by the older generation of price, and, encour- April Gilmore photo. fi shermen who remembered rac- aged by the sale, built ing long ago. When asked what prompted him to bring the races to Cape Porpoise, additional models to Hutchins said “we did it for a lot of reasons, but mostly for fun.” sell in the local gal- In the summer, crowds of people gather once again on the shore to hear the lery for more than blast of the ten-gauge cannon starting the pond boats through the three-quarters ten years. His models of a mile course. “We try to follow the traditional rules,” Hutchins explains. “No were purchased by radio controls. The models must be a schooner or sloop-rigged and have gaff- collectors, some for rigged sails.” Hulls must be less than 50 inches long but there is no limit on vessel thousands of dollars. width. Lead ballasts may be used to keep the boats from fl ipping over. According to With the money from Hutchins, it’s important to have a lightweight punt to track one’s ship. Competitors these sales, Hutchins must row behind their models and catch them, tack the sails by hand and maneuver around markers. In order to keep up with the model boats, which may get up to 5 knots in CUSTOM CORDAGE speed, you must “row like it’s nobody’s busi- ness,” said Hutchins. Hutchins’ favorite part about building models is the connection he feels to the gen- BUYING USED FLOAT ROPE erations before him. “It’s something I have in For more information common with my great-grandfather, a man I call 207-832-0580 never met. But I feel like I’m having the same or experience that he had and that’s special,” he 207-701-1243 Continued on page 19
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Join hundreds of other Maine lobstermen as a member of the state’s oldest fi shing association.
Be seen. Be heard. Be a MLA member
Garbo depends on the hard work and stewardship of Maine lobstermen. Call the MLA at 967-4555, Thank you ! or visit the web site at www.main- elobstermen.org to find out more. January 2012 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 9
Sea lice continued from page 1 ternal surface. Different species of sea lice are known to parasitize halibut, cod, effects on sea lice, salmon, and the environ- mackerel, and herring. The salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, is the chief con- ment. The Maine Department of Environ- cern of Atlantic salmon farmers in the Gulf of Maine. If left unchecked, sea lice mental Protection (DEP) coordinates drug infestations of farmed salmon increase stress and susceptibility to other diseases and usage with FDA and has an extensive en- can cause starvation, reduced growth, and eventually kill the fi sh. vironmental monitoring program for each The University of Maine began working with salmon farmers in 1995 to develop salmon farm as part of its permitting pro- an integrated pest management (IPM) program to control sea lice. Originally created cess. Since 1995, no dead or dying lobsters for terrestrial farmers, the IPM approach is based on understanding the life cycle of have been reported in Maine as a result of the pest and its interaction with the environment. IPM programs employ every avail- sea lice treatments according to Mathew able prevention measure and use chemical treatments only when necessary. Young at DEP. Sentinel lobsters have been Maine’s salmon farmers have developed a number of prevention strategies to placed in cages under the salmon pens dur- maintain healthy populations of fi sh where sea lice are prevalent. They raise only ing treatments and no treatment residues one age-class of fi sh at a time to ensure that lice do not swim from older salmon to have been detected. In addition, extensive younger ones, and they keep their farms empty, or fallow, after harvest for 30 days environmental testing has not detected any or longer. The salmon are routinely monitored for sea lice and chemical treatments treatment residues in the areas surrounding Chris Bartlett is based in Eastport. are only warranted if a certain threshold is reached. Treatments require veterinary and adjacent to Maine salmon farms. Annie Tselikis photo. oversight and strict compliance with state and federal laws. Researchers continue to look for new sea lice control methods that have minimal environmental impacts. The University of Th ere is no silver bullet in preventing sea lice Maine has partnered with USDA Agricultural Research Service in Franklin to screen outbreaks on Maine’s salmon farms. Th ese pests have Atlantic salmon for sea lice resistance. The goal is to fi nd salmon strains that can mount an immune response so that sea lice cannot readily attach to the fi sh, a trait shown that they can adapt to diff erent management held by some species of Pacifi c salmon. UMaine is also investigating organic com- strategies. pounds that kill sea lice without causing harmful effects to the environment. Re- searchers are also studying the use of blue mussels as sea lice traps, to fi lter the larval Currently, Maine law allows the use of two drugs to control sea lice on farmed stages of these crustaceans from the water column. salmon. Hydrogen peroxide has been the treatment of choice in recent years. The There is no silver bullet in preventing sea lice outbreaks on Maine’s salmon farms. salmon are placed in a well boat or a tarpaulin and immersed in a seawater bath con- These pests have shown that they can adapt to different management strategies and taining the chemical. The concentrated hydrogen peroxide quickly breaks down into research will continue into new methods that can be used in combination with exist- oxygen and water. A second drug, SLICE Emamectin, is administered through the ing ones. Lobstermen can play an important role by staying informed about sea lice fi sh’s feed. Sea lice populations in Maine have developed a resistance to SLICE in control measures and by monitoring the health of lobsters in their area. recent years and as a result its usage has dropped off signifi cantly. A third treatment, EXIS cypermethrin, was allowed for use through 2010. Permission for its continued use has not been requested. This is a similar compound to the one linked to lobster Chris Bartlett is an Extension Associate with Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Coop- deaths in New Brunswick, but with a known dosage for salmon treatments and strict erative Extension, based in Eastport. protocols for its use. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the use of these chemicals through their Investigational New Animal Drug Program. Participating farmers are required to complete an annual training course and assist with studies into the drug’s
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Rick Williams Gene Piken Prospect Harbor, ME 04669 !"# $ % genemegahealth@ [email protected] roadrunner.com 10 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION January 2012
ACCOUNTANTS Purse Line Bait Pete’s Marine Electronics Hamilton Marine Vessel Services I 32 Bakers Wharf Rd 101 Washington Rd 155 E Main St 1 Portland Fish P Williams CPA Group LLC Sebasco Estates, ME 04565 Waldoboro, ME 04572 207-350-2500 Searsport, ME 04974 Portland, ME 04 PO Box 839 207-389-9155 [email protected] 207-548-2985 vesselservices.com,v Rockport, ME 04856 207-236-8781 [email protected] 100 Fore St. Midcoast Marine Electronics Portland, ME 04101 Viking Wear AUTOMOTIVE Superior Bait and Salt 532 Main St. 207-774-1772 Nat Dillenback Harold C Ralph Chevrolet Glenn Hall Rockland, ME 04841 46 S. Prospect S Steve Ralph 21 Balsam Lane 207-691-3993 www.midcoastmarine.com 20 Park Dr. Miller Falls, MA PO Box A Tenants Harbor, ME 04860 Rockland, ME 04841 413-522-7406 Waldoboro, ME 04572 800-310-5321 207-372-8925 Sawyer & Whitten Marine 207-594-8181 / 800-639-2715 www.vikingwear [email protected] 416 Commericial St [email protected] Worcesters Lobster Bait Portland, ME 04101 207-879-4500 www.hamiltonmarine.com HYDRAULICS Hews Company LLC Bruce Worcester Discounts for MLA members Coastal Hydrauli 190 Rumery St 259 Bowden Point Rd Sawyer & Whitten Marine PO Box 2832 South Portland, ME 04106 Prospect, ME 04981 207-469-7585 118 Tillson Ave Island Fishing Gear & Auto Parts Seabrook, NH 0 207-767-2136 / 800-234-4397 [email protected] Rockland, ME 04841 PO Box 292 603-474-1914 [email protected] 207-594-7073 www.sawyerwhitten.com Stonington, ME 04681 207-367-5959 sales@coastalhyd www.hewsco.com BOAT BUILDERS/BOAT REPAIR [email protected] [email protected] 10% discount on al SW Boatworks Island Fishing Gear & Auto Parts FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT SERVICES Stewart Workman Jeff ’s Marine, Inc Cushing Diesel, L PO Box 292 358 Douglas Highway Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co 2 Brooklyn Heights 26 Spear Mill Rd Stonington, ME 04681 Lamoine, ME 04605 25 Main St PO Box 236 Cushing, ME 04 207-367-5959 [email protected] Damariscotta, ME 04543 Thomaston, ME 04861 207-354-8777 354-0600, cell 54 [email protected] www.swboatworks.com 207-563-8121 [email protected] diesedave6312@ [email protected] Morrison Chevrolet/Fisher Plow Wesmac Custom Boats www.damariscottabank.com Logtek Inc Hews Company Distributor PO Box 56 Tim Bourque & James Roy (ME sales) 190 Rumery St 121 Downeast Highway Surry, ME 04684 207-667-4822 Farm Credit of Maine ACA Box 98, RR 2 South Portland, M Ellsworth, ME 04605 877-523-6118 [email protected] www.wesmac.com 615 Minot Ave Tusket, NS BOW 3M0 Canada 207-767-2136 / 8 www.morrisonchevrolet.com 2% discount on fi berglass components Auburn, ME 04210 207-510-1763 / 888-840-1089 [email protected] 207-784-0193 800-831-4230 [email protected] www.hewsco.com Newcastle Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep [email protected] DOCUMENTATION SERVICE [email protected] 573 Rt. 1 www.farmcreditmaine.com Lonnie’s Hydrau Coastal Documentation Newcastle, ME 04553 Maine Coast Petroleum, Inc 227 Middlesex R 111 Dennision Rd 207-563-8138 / 888-944-5337 Maine Financial Group PO Box 295 Topsham, ME 0 Spruce Head, ME 04859 [email protected] Jim Amabile Tenants Harbor, ME 04860 207-725-7552 207-596-6575 www.newcastlemotorcars.com 15 Pleasant Hill Rd 207-372-6962 [email protected] [email protected]; 15% off parts and service Scarborough, ME 04074 Marine Hydraulic www.coastaldocumentation.com 207-885-5900 800-974-9995 Midcoast Marine Supply 17 Gordon Dr Weirs Motor Sales Inc j.amabile@mainefi nancialgroup.com 153 New County Rd Rockland, ME 0 1513 Portland Rd Northeast Marine Survey, Inc Thomaston, ME 04861 207-594-9527 Arundel, ME 04046 PO Box 231 Rockland Savings Bank 207-594-0011 marinhyd@midc 207-985-3537 Bailey Island, ME 04003 Harry Mank [email protected] [email protected] www.weirsgmc.com 207-833-0954 582 Maine Street www.midcoastmarinesupply.com INDUSTRY ORGANIZA [email protected] Rockland, ME 04841 207-594-8465 BAIT DEALERS www.northeastmarinesurvey.us Gulf of Maine L www.rocklandsavingsbank.com Neptune Inc 10% off the commercial rate PO Box 523 Alfred Osgood 39 Slater St Kennebunk, ME PO Box 358 The First Attleboro, MA 02703 EDUCATION AND TRADE SHOWS 207-985-8088 er Vinalhaven, ME 04863 PO Box 940 508-222-8313 / 800-642-7113 207-863-2518 [email protected] Diversifi ed Business Communica- [email protected] Damariscotta, ME 04543 Island Fishermen tions www.neptune-inc.com 207-563-3195 / 800-564-3195 PO Box 293 Bessy Bait LLC PO Box 7437 [email protected] Stonington, ME 155 R Batchelder Rd Portland, ME 04112 207-842-5500 Neptune Marine Products Inc www.thefi rst.com 207-367-5579 ifw Seabrook, NH 03874 [email protected] PO Box 2068 603-300-2846 / 603-300-2849 www.divbusiness.com ISHING ARINE NDUSTRIAL UPPLIES Port Townsend, WA 98368 F , M & I S Island Institute [email protected] 206-789-3790 All Points Marine PO Box 648 www.bessybait.com Mount Desert Oceanarium www.neptunemarineproducts.com PO Box 543 Rockland, ME 0 PO Box 696 Narragansett, RI 02882 401-284-4044 207-594-9209 x1 Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 New England Marine & Industrial Bait Man Co. LLC [email protected] www.apmco.us rsnyder@islandin 207-288-5005 Inc. Al West Discounts available to MLA members [email protected] 200 Spaulding Turnpike PO Box 69 Maine Import Ex Free admission to commercial fi shermen Portsmouth, NH 03801 Prospect Harbor, ME 04669 Bath Lobster Supply tion 207-632-7267 [email protected] and their families 603-436-2836 / 800-492-0779 340 State Rd, Suite B [email protected] PO Box 10228 West Bath, ME 04530 Portland, ME 04 Maine Fishermens Forum www.newenglandmarine.com Cape Porpoise Lobster Co Inc 207-386-3225 207-775-1612 PO Box 288 184 Beachwood Ave www.brookstrapmill.com lobsters@newme Bath, ME 04530 North Atlantic Power Kennebunkport, ME 04046 www.mainelobste 207-967-0900 207-442-7700 chilloa@mefi shcoop.org Sam Profi o buoysticks.com 15 Continental Dr. [email protected] 3628 Turner Ridge Rd Maine Lobster P Penobscot Marine Museum Exeter, NH 03833 www.capeporpoiselobster.com Somerville, ME 04348 207-549-7204 2 Union St. 5 Church St 603-418-0470 sprofi [email protected] [email protected] Portland, ME 04 Channel Fish Co Searsport, ME 04974 10% off all service repairs www.plantebuoysticks.com 207-541-9310 370 East Eagle St 207-548-2529 mlacroix@lobste East Boston, MA 02128 Show your MLA card for free entry Polyform US Chase Leavitt & Co. www.lobsterfrom 617-569-3200 7030 S 224th 72 Commercial St. lou@channelfi sh.com Seafood.com News Kent, WA 98032 Portland, ME 04112 Maine Port Auth 8 White Pine Lane 253-872-0300 207-772-6368 16 State House Lexington, MA 02421 781-861-1441 [email protected] DB Rice Fisheries [email protected] Augusta, ME 04 [email protected] www.polyformus.com PO Box 57 www.chaseleavitt.com 207-624-3560 Birch Harbor, ME 04613 john.h.henshaw [email protected] Superior Marine Products Inc ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT Grundens USA Ltd 15 Murray Drive www.maineport Bell Power Systems Inc. PO Box 2068 Raymond, ME 04071 Lunds FisheriesInc. Poulsbo, WA 98370 Maine Sea Grant 997 Ocean Dr. Bob Tokarczyk 207-655-4492 34 Plains Rd 360-779-4439 / 800-323-7327 superioroffi [email protected] 5784 York Comp Cape May, NJ 08204 [email protected] Orono, ME 044 609-884-7600 Essex, CT 06426 www.superiormarineprod.com 860-767-7502 / 800-225-8669 www.grundens.com panderson@mai dbrand@lundsfi sh.com www.seagrant.um www.lundsfi sh.com www.bellpower.com WD Matthews Machinery Co Guy Cotten, Inc 901 Center Street 782 South Water St Penobscot Bay & O’Hara Corportation Chase Leavitt & Co. Auburn, ME 04210-6456 New Bedford, MA 02740 Jeffrey Cockburn 120 Tillson Ave 72 Commercial St. 207-784-9311 508-997-7075 / 800-444-6050 18 Mortland Rd. Rockland, ME 04841 Portland, ME 04112 207-772-6368 [email protected] [email protected] Searsport, ME 0 207-594-0405 [email protected] www.wdmatthews.com www.guycottenusa.com 207-548-1077 [email protected] www.chaseleavitt.com pilots@penbaypi January 2012 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 11
Highliner business members are noted in BOLD.
nc. Penobscot East Resource Center Beals Jonesport Coop Inc. Fishermen’s Heritage Lobster Coop Lobster Products Inc Pier PO Box 27 PO Box 195 PO Box 359 64 Tidal Falls Rd 4101 207-772-5718 Stonington, ME 04681 Jonesport, ME 04649 Friendship, ME 04547 Hancock, ME 04640 [email protected] 207-367-2708 207-479-2020 207-832-6378 207-422-6238 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.penobscoteast.org Friendship Lobster Coop BBS Lobster Trap PO Box 307 Millers Wharf Lobster LLC St. INSURANCE 188 Pettegrow Point Rd Friendship ME 04547 PO Box 486 A 01349 Allen Insurance and Financial Machiastport, ME 04655 207-832-4435 Tenants Harbor, ME 04860 Chris Guptill 207-372-8637 r.com 34-36 Elm St., PO Box 578 Calendar Islands Maine Lobster LLC Garbo Lobster Camden, ME 04847 6A Portland Fish Pier PO Box 334 Muscongus Bay Lobster 207-263-4311 Portland, ME 04101 Hancock, ME 04640 28 Landing Rd ics Inc [email protected] 207-541-9140 207-422-3217 Round Pound, ME 04564 www.alleninsuranceandfinancial. [email protected] [email protected] 207-529-2251 03874 com www.calendarislandsmainelobster.com [email protected] Georgetown Fishermen’s Coop www.mainefreshlobster.com d.com Atlantic Insurance & Benefi ts Canobie Seafoods, Inc 89 Moores Tpke ll in stock items. 58 High St 1077 Bar Harbor Rd Georgetown, ME 04548 New Harbor Co-op Belfast, ME 04915 Trenton, ME 04605 Linda Vannah LLC 207-338-9787 / 800-948-1457 207-667-2250 Glens Lobster Co PO Box 125 d [email protected] [email protected] 12 Abner Point Rd New Harbor, ME 04554 4563 www.atlantic-insurance.com Bailey Island, ME 04003 207-677-2791 [email protected] 42-5399 Cape Porpoise Lobster Co Inc 207-833-6138 @yahoo.com. Chapman & Chapman 184 Beachwood Ave [email protected] Pemaquid Fishermen’s Coop PO Box1030 Kennebunkport, ME 04046 PO Box 152 LLC Damariscotta, ME 04543 207-967-0900 Graffam Brothers Seafood Market New Harbor, ME 04554 207-563-3143 / 800-370-3143 [email protected] PO Box 340 207-677-2801 [email protected] ME 04106 [email protected] www.capeporpoiselobster.com Rockport, ME 04856 207-236-8391 800-234-4397 [email protected] Port Clyde Fishermen’s Coop om The Compass Insurance Group Captain Dutch Lobster Co. www.lobsterstogo.com PO Box 103 m Paul Miner PO Box 393 Port Clyde, ME 04855 PO Box 880 South Thomaston, ME 04858 Hannaford Brothers 207-372-8922 145 Pleasant Hill Rd. ulic Inc Waldoboro, ME 04572 207-790-2300 207-596-7655 Rd [email protected] [email protected] Scarborough, ME 04074 Port Lobster Co Inc 04086 www.lobsterboatinsurance.com 207-833-2911 PO Box 729 Chrisanda Corp. [email protected] Kennebunkport, ME 04046 InSphere Insurance Solutions 9 Ferry Rd 207-967-2081 c Engineering Co Inc Rick Williams Lewiston, ME 04240 Holden Seafood Corporation [email protected] PO Box 74 800-448-7663 93 E 7th Street www.portlobster.com 04841 Prospect Harbor, ME 04669 [email protected] New York, NY 10009 212-387-8487 207-963-4111 [email protected] Portland Shellfi sh Co, Inc coast.com [email protected] Conary Cove Lobster Co Inc www.lukeslobster.com 92 Waldron Way 83 Conary Cove Rd Portland, ME 04103 207-767-1625 ATIONS Smithwick & Mariners Insurance Deer Isle, ME 04627 HR Beal & Sons Inc 207-348-6185 182 Clark Point Rd info@pshellfi sh.com Lobster Foundation 366 US Route One Falmouth, ME 04105 Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 www.pshellfi sh.com 207-781-5553 800-370-1883 Cooks Lobster House 207-244-3202 E 04043 PO Box 12 [email protected] Post Brothers Inc [email protected] [email protected] Discounted vessel insurance for MLA Bailey Island, ME 04003 www.bealslobster.com PO Box 541 207-833-6641 Rockland, ME 04841 n’s Wives members. Additional 5% discount if Coast Guard-approved Fishing Vessel Drill Con- [email protected] Interstate Lobster Inc 207-594-5824 ductor course completed within 5 years. www.cookslobster.com PO Box 269 04681 Harpswell, ME 04079 207-833-5516 Quahog Lobster Inc [email protected] Corea Lobster Cooperative 5 Lobster Lane LEGAL SERVICES PO Box 99 Island Seafood, LLC Harpswell, ME 04079 Doyle & Nelson Corea, ME 04624 32 Brook Rd 207-725-6222 150 Capitol St 207-963-7936 Eliot, ME 03903 [email protected] 04841 Augusta, ME 04330 207-622-6124 [email protected] 207-439-8508 [email protected] 42 [email protected] Ready Seafood nstitute.org www.doylenelson.com Cozy Harbor Seafood Inc ‘Keag Store Hobson’s Wharf PO Box 389 4 Elm St, PO Box 76 Portland, ME 04112 xport Dealers Associa- Howard and Bowie Portland, ME 04112 South Thomaston, ME 04858 207-541-3672 Clayton Howard 207-879-2665 207-596-6957 [email protected] PO Box 460 [email protected] www.readyseafood.com 4104 Damariscotta, ME 04543 www.cozyharbor.com Kent’s Wharf 207-563-3112 31 Steamboat Hill Seafood Contract Brokers, LLC eadowslobster.com Craig’s All Natural Swans Island, ME 04685 30 Western Ave, Suite 206 erdealers.com Nicholas H Walsh PA 25 Winecellar Rd. 207-526-4186 [email protected] Gloucester, MA 01930 111 Commerical St Durham, NH 03824 978-515-7683 Promotion Council Portland, ME 04101 603-397-5331 Kips Seafood Co kbfl [email protected] 207-772-2191 [email protected] [email protected] 117 River Rd www.seafoodrisk.com 4101 www.nicholas-walsh.com Cushing, ME 04563 25% off hourly, fl at fee to MLA members Cranberry Isles Fishermens Coop 207-354-8997 Seaview Lobster Co erfrommaine.com PO Box 258 PO Box 291 mmaine.com LOBSTER/SEAFOOD/WHOLESALE/RETAIL Islesford, ME 04646 Lake Pemaquid Inc Kittery, ME 03904 Atlantic Edge Lobster 207-244-5438 PO Box 967 207-439-1599 hority 71 Atlantic Ave Damariscotta, ME 04543 [email protected] Station Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 Erins Pride Seafood Corp 207-563-5202 www.seaviewlobster.com 4333 207-633-2300 [email protected] 124-11 Newport Ave [email protected] Rockaway Park, NY 11694 www.lakepemaquid.com Sea Hag Seafood [email protected] Atwood Lobster Co 917-468-1295 48 Wallston Rd. ts.com PO Box 202 Island Rd [email protected] Linda Bean’s Maine Lobster Tenants Harbor, ME 04860 Spruce Head, ME 04859 PO Box 368 207-691-5391 [email protected] t 207-596-6691 www.atwoodlobster.com F W Thurston Co Inc Rockland, ME 04841 207-975-2502 plex, Bldg 6 PO Box 178 [email protected] Shengfei Trading Co. 469 207-581-1435 Bayleys Lobster Pound Bernard, ME 04612 www.LindaBeansMaineLobster.com Anson Chen ne.edu PO Box 304 207-244-3320 11974 Lebanon Rd, Suite 124 maine.edu Scarborough, ME 04070 Little Bay Lobster Inc Cincinnati, OH 45241 207-883-4571 Finest Kind Scenic Cruises 158 Shattuck Way 718-313-8294 & River Pilots Assn [email protected] www.bayleys.com PO Box 1828 Newington, NH 03801 [email protected] n Ogunquit, ME 03907 603-431-3170 www.yimail68.com [email protected] [email protected] 04984 www.fi nestkindcruises.com www.littlebaylobster.com ilots.com 12 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION January 2012
Shucks Maine Lobster 207-439-0920 PROPELLERS Phil’s Lobster Roll Shop 150 Main St, Suite 4 www.weathervaneseafoods.com Accutech Marine Propeller Inc. Shelly McLellan Richmond, ME 04357 24 Crosby Rd Unit 6 PO Box 578 207-737-4800 Winter Harbor Fishermen’s Coop Dover, NH 03820 Boothbay, ME 04532 [email protected] 23 Pedleton Rd. 603-617-3626 www.shucksMaine.com Winter Harbor, ME 04693 207-963-5857 [email protected] Th e Clam Shack [email protected] www.accutechmarine.com Steve Kingston Spruce Head Fishermen’s Coop MARINE ENGINES PO Box 6200 275 Island Rd All Points Marine Nautilus Marine Fabrication, Inc. Kennebunkport, ME 04046 South Th omaston, ME 04858 PO Box 543 13 Industrial Way 207-967-3321 207-594-7980 Narragansett, RI 02882 401-284-4044 Trenton, ME 04605 207-667-1119 [email protected] [email protected] www.apmco.us [email protected] www.theclamshack.net Stonington Lobster Coop Discounts available to MLA members PO Box 87 New England Propeller Inc. SAFETY TRAINING Stonington, ME 04681 Bell Power 9 Apollo Eleven Rd McMillan Offshore Survival Training 207-367-2286 34 Plains Rd. Plymouth, MA 02360 508-747-6666 PO Box 411 [email protected] Essex, CT 06426. [email protected], www.neprop.com Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-1603 860-767-7502/800-255-8669 [email protected] Swans Island Fishermens Coop [email protected] REAL ESTATE www.mcmillanoffshore.com PO Box 116 Swans Island, ME 04685 Megunticook Real Estate Milton Cat ALT 207-526-4327 [email protected] Ed Glover S PO Box 960 19 Birds Loop Rd Maine Salt Company Scarborough, ME 04070 207-833-9586 Vinalhaven Fishermens Coop Owls Head, ME 04854 207-504-7606 677 Coldbrook Rd [email protected] 11 Main St, Box 366 [email protected] Hermon, ME 04401 207-848-3796 Vinalhaven, ME 04863 207-863-2263 www.coastalmainere.com [email protected] www.mainesalt.com North Atlantic Power [email protected] Sam Profi o REFRIGERATION SERVICES Superior Bait and Salt 15 Continental Drive Weathervane Seafoods Inc Glenn Hall Exeter, NH 03833 603-418-0470 Applied Refrigeration Services 31 Badgers Island West 21 Balsam Lane sprofi [email protected] 7C Commons Avenue Kittery, ME 03904 Tenants Harbor, ME 04860 www.northatlanticpower. Windham, Maine 04062 207-893-0145 207-372-8925 com [email protected]; www.appliedrefrigeration.com TRAP BUILDERS STOCK & SUPPLIES Northern Lights/Lugger $250 off new installations 8 Connector Rd Branch Brook Farm Andover, MA 01810 RESTAURANTS Ralph Dean 978-475-7400 / 800-762- 26 Sawmill Lane 0166 Barnacle Billys Inc Thomaston, ME 04861 [email protected] PO Box 837 207-354-8123 [email protected] www.northern-lights.com Ogunquit, ME 03907 207-646-5575 [email protected] www.barnbilly.com now in our new shop at 137 Brooks Trap Mill NEWSPAPERS 211 Beechwood St Bowdoin College Dining Services Th omaston, ME 04861 Pleasant Hill Rd, Scarborough Commercial Fisheries 3700 College Station 207-354-8763 News Brunswick, ME 04011 [email protected] - Kits, Cages, Complete Traps PO Box 600 207-725-3432 [email protected] Deer Isle, ME 04627 Eaton Trap Co Inc 207-348-1057/800-989- Cod End, LLC 12 Birchwood Rd - Rolls of Wire in Stock 5253 Susan Miller Woolwich, ME 04579 sjones@fi sh-news.com - Distributor of Fitec Twine PO Box 224 207-443-3617 [email protected] Discounted annual subscription Tenants Harbor, ME 04860 207-372-6782 Friendship Trap Company -100’s of trap kits in stock. Fishermen’s Voice [email protected] www.codend.com 570 Cushing Rd PO Box 253 10% off Cook House and Market Friendship, ME 04547 Call for availability and colors Gouldsboro, ME 04607 207-354-2545 800-451-1200 207-963-7195 -Traps built the way YOU want Newick’s Hospitality Group, Inc [email protected] 431 Dover Point Rd www.friendshiptrap.com National Fisherman Dover, NH 03820 Discounts from 5 -10% for MLA members. - Aquamesh & Cavatorta Wire 121 Free St. 603-742-3205 www.newicks.com Portland, ME 04112 Portland Trap www.searosetrap.com Discounted annual subscription 26-28 Union Wharf Portland, ME 04101 800-244-8727 [email protected] www.brookstrapmill.com
Sea Rose Trap Co 137 Pleasant Hill Rd. Scarborough, ME 04074 207-730-2063 [email protected] www.searosetrap.com TRUCK REPAIR/LEASING Cushing Diesel, LLC 26 Spear Mill Rd 120 Tillson Avenue Journey’s End offers a complete array of marine services at our secure, clean Cushing, ME 04563 Rockland, ME 04841 and professionally maintained facility. Gas and diesel, slip and mooring rentals, 354-0600, (c) 542-5399 minor and major repairs -- and the best boat transport services in Maine. [email protected]. Phone: (207) 594-4444 We’re builders of Mitchell Cove We’re a proud Caterpillar, Cummins, Iveco and Yanmar marine diesel dealer. Howling Hill Transportation Fax: (207) 594-0407 - PO Box 20 rine coating Bucksport, ME 04416 207-460-0134 [email protected]. Marine Radio VHF ! " Need something? Just ask. # Channel 9 and 18 $ % Wa2much Trucking Greg Holmes PO Box 354 Tenants Harbor, ME 04860 542-9606 [email protected] January 2012 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 13 Lobster traps: What they mean to Maine’s economy
By Mary Lyons, researched by Mary Lyons and Annie Tselikis and sold by two large companies: Friendship Trap, founded in 1977, and Brooks Trap Mill, founded in 1946. n the quest to capture the great-clawed crustacean known as the Maine lobster, Brooks Trap Mill was started by the grandfather of the three siblings who own it few things are more essential than traps. I now — Mark Brooks, Julie (Brooks) Russo, and Stephen Brooks. Their mother still Whether it’s a little shop, big company, or a do-it-yourself builder, lobster traps works in the offi ce: “It’s great — we get to see her every day, and it helps to keep us contribute to the Maine economy in numerous ways. In a December, 2011 article close,” said Stephen. in UMaine Today, the Lobster Institute said that “the estimated overall economic How many lobster traps are produced by each company is diffi cult to estimate impact of the lobster fi shery on the Maine economy is between $816 million and as each sells other trap products. Brooks sells shrimp, eel, whelk, and crab traps $1.36 billion annually.” Where does the trap industry fi t in that picture? According in addition to lobster traps, and produces mesh cages for oyster growing. Both to Kevin Athearn, associate professor of environmental and community economics companies also do trade-ins, sell used traps, and trap kits for lobstermen who want at the University of Maine at Machias, the U.S. Census Key Statistics recorded 17 to build their own traps. Given those complications, Stephen Brooks estimates his lobster trap building establishments in the state of Maine in 2007, with an annual company sells 30,000-50,000 lobster traps on average annually. Mike Wadsworth sales value of $23,577,000, an annual payroll of $5,815,000, and 208 paid employees. at Friendship Trap cites an average of 60,000 traps sold annually. But when the Marty Eaton of Eaton Trap Company in Woolwich thinks the lobster trap is the industry takes a dip, so do trap sales. foundation of the state’s thriving lobster industry. “The trap, probably after the boat Some lobstermen like to build their own traps, or at least a portion of them. Ac- and the motor, is the next biggest investment. One thing I tell all the young guys that cording to Chris Betts, who works at New England Marine & Industrial in Stoning- come up here to buy traps, the trap is what will make them the money. The boat does ton, the store has about 30 customers who not get the lobster, it gets them to the trap. build their own traps using supplies from They need a safe boat, not the biggest boat, New England Marine. According to Betts, and if they invest in traps, the traps eventu- it saves a lobsterman between $20-30 per ally will buy them the boat that they want.” trap to build his own. Eaton says that his company “does not Friendship Trap employs about 54 peo- build just a trap, but a lobster trap that is ple year-round, eight of whom are in the nice enough to put a piece of smoked glass company’s Jonesboro location. Brooks Trap on it and put in your living room.” Once Mill employees vary from 50 to 70 depend- you’ve got the one for the living room, he ing on the time of year and the state of the adds, you can put the rest in the water. “A fi shery. The company has three locations in new trap will outfi sh an old trap,” says Ea- Maine: Brooks Trap Mill in Thomaston, ton. “It’s tighter and cleaner.” Portland Trap, and Bath Lobster Supply. Of course, small trap shops can’t supply Looking at the economic benefi ts of the all the traps needed in Maine, since there are trap industry and its contributions to the an estimated three million in the water, all Maine economy, it’s likely that the only taking a regular beating from tides, rough Mainer not benefi tting in some respect is bottom, hauling, and all the other forces one of the state’s most famous residents — of man and nature. The majority of those the tasty, and trapped, Maine lobster. three million traps, and the thousands need- ed each year to replace them, are produced Coils of trap wire sit in storage at Brooks Trap Mill. Photo by Annie Tselikis.
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All Points Marine National Fisherman Naragansett, RI -- discounts Discount on annual subscription available for MLA members Newcastle Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep Accutech Marine Propeller Newcastle, ME -- 15% off all Dover, NH -- 20% off propeller parts and service, not to be repair; discounts for new combined with other offers propellers, shafting and hardware Northeast Marine Survey Applied Refrigeration Services Windham, ME -- $250 off new Harpswell, ME -- 10% off installations commercial rate Coastal Hydraulics Penobscot Marine Museum Seabrook, NH -- 10% discount Searsport, ME -- Free admission on all in stock itemss for MLA members Commercial Fisheries News Smithwick & Mariners Insurance Discount on annual subscription Falmouth, ME -- Discounted Friendship Trap Company vessel insurance; additional 5% Friendship, ME -- Discounts of with proof of completion of Fish- 5% to 10% depending on product ing Vessel Drill Conductor course Hamilton Marine within 5 years. Portland / Rockland / Searsport -- Wesmac Custom Boats Discounts vary by product Surry, ME -- 2% discount of Mount Desert Oceanarium Southwest Harbor, ME -- Free admission for commercial 14 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION January 2012 Talking about right whales, lobsters and the art of science
The MLA newsletter continues its series of articles on endangered whales and the laws in place to about GIS and to explore the many ways it can transform data into comprehensive protect them. New whale rules to reduce the risk of entangling endangered whales in vertical lines maps. will go into effect in 2014. In late November, Heather Tetreault visited the Coastal Studies for Toward the end of her talk, Tetreault mentioned possible ways to decrease the Girls campus in Freeport to talk with the students about MLA’s efforts to work with lobstermen amount of rope in the water column in order to protect right whales. She talked on changing whale rules and regulations. about maximizing the number of traps per endline, minimizing the length of fl oat- ing groundline between traps and minimizing the use of knots and coils on vertical By Sarah Paquette lines that can be caught in a whales’ baleen. Other possible changes include reducing gear density, use of stiff or taut line and reducing ghost gear, a practice the students etting high school students excited about science isn’t always an easy task. But had recently learned about from Laura Ludwig of the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foun- when Heather Tetreault, Whale Projects Coordinator at Maine Lobstermen’s G dation. Association, gave a presentation about North Atlantic right whales, the Maine lob- The students were fascinated by the idea of ropeless lobster fi shing, a concept ster industry and the MLA’s interactions with scientifi c and fi shing communities, she proposed by some scientists. Tetreault cautioned that it would be nearly impossible had no problem keeping her audience engaged. for commercial lobstermen to fi sh without rope. The room was soon full of other The Coastal Studies for Girls program, a residential science and leadership se- ideas as the girls wondered if some sort of electronic device could activate a buoy to mester for girls in tenth grade, is the only one of its kind in the country. This semes- infl ate and pop to the surface with a rope attached to the trap or if a magnet could be ter fi fteen girls with a passion for science are taking part in the program. As Tetreault used. Tetreault reminded the students that any changes to gear need to be done with spoke about lobstering and right whales, the girls took notes and asked questions, a the lobstermen in mind. “Lobstering is a huge industry in Maine and very important lot of questions. to the state’s economy,” she said. “We want to fi nd a way to reduce whale entangle- “How hard is it to get a lobster license?” one girl asked after learning that Maine ments that allows people to continue to fi sh.” issues more than 5,300 commercial lobster licenses. Tetreault talked about the ap- prentice program that people must complete before getting a license. The girls ini- tially were surprised to learn that multiple lobstermen must leave a zone for one new lobsterman to enter. When they realized this was a way to limit the amount of gear in the water and therefore reduce the risk of whale entanglements and to conserve the lobster population, the girls concluded that the process made sense. Tetreault showed pictures of whales bearing scars from entanglement in fi sh- ing gear. The students asked about the cause of death for some of those whales. Between November, 2010 and November, 2011, there were twelve fi sheries-related entanglements and two right whale deaths related to gear entanglements. Tetreault talked about the amount of drag that rope wrapped around a whale causes in the water, especially if a lobster trap is still attached. She said that once a right whale is slowed down by the weight of gear, it becomes susceptible. “Right whales have no natural predators,” Tetreault explained, “but once they have been slowed down so much by gear, they attract predators like great white sharks.” Other whales die from starvation, infection or drowning. “The rope can cut right through a whale’s skin. It’s even been found to cut through bone,” she said. “Imagine having a big cut like that and no antibiotics.” Tetreault talked about her work with lobstermen along the Maine coast to docu- ment when, where and how they fi sh. The students wondered how willing lobster- men were to discuss those things. Tetreault explained that when lobstermen realized she wasn’t looking to push management at them, they were very helpful. “Once the data were collected, they were plugged into a Geographical Information System (GIS) that gives us a picture of gear patterns,” Tetreault said. Without GIS, the data MLA staff members Heather Tetreault (in striped shirt) and Sarah Paquette (second from left)with are just numbers, but through the GIS, those numbers can be used as layers for a students from the Coastal Studies for Girls Fall 2011 semester. map. “GIS is a very useful tool in science,” she said, encouraging the girls to learn
Coastal Studies for Girls is a semester-long science and leadership school for tenth grade girls. The school brings girls from around the country to the coast of Maine for 16 weeks during either the fall or spring term of their sophomore year of high school. Students at Coastal Studies for Girls interact directly with scientists and guest lecturers as they pursue a rigorous marine science-based curriculum. For more information, visit www.coastalstudiesforgirls.org. 0V`QJ Q`R:$VQ`@JH Membership has 0V`QJ Q`R:$VQ`@JHQ`]Q`: VR]VH1:C1 # # # Become a member today and be a part of the oldest lobstering organization in the state. # # The MLA mission is to advocate for a sustainable lobster resource and the fi sher- "`QR%H :`V:0:1C:GCV .`Q%$.Q%`:% .Q`1 Maine Lobster Promotion Council Zone Councils the Board reaffi rmed its endorsement of Pat Keli- her for appointment as Commissioner of DMR. The At the November 29 MLPC meeting board chair- The overall focus of the most recent round of Zone Board directed David Cousens to call the Governor’s man Emily Lane welcomed several new board mem- Council meetings was providing feedback to DMR on offi ce to inform them once again of MLA’s positino, bers: Jim Dow as the downeast harvester, Peter Mill- legislation passed during the last session directing the and for Patrice to send a letter of support for Pat Ke- er as the midcoast harvester, John Petersdorf as the Commissioner of Marine Resources to contract for an liher to members of the Marine Resources Committee, midcoast dealer, and Patrice McCarron as the public independent analysis of the lobster license limited en- the Governor’s offi ce and Maine delegation and local member from western Maine. Dane Somers expressed try system. Acting Commissioner Pat Keliher attended media, if warranted. his gratitude that the MLPC has fi lled all seats on the all seven meetings to hear from industry. Deirdre Gil- board. bert provided the councils with updates on legislative ASMFC Northern Shrimp Section Somers updated the Board on several past and activity, noting that in the upcoming second session of planned activities. The MLPC plans to signifi cantly ex- the 125th Legislature there will be only four Depart- The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s pand its presence at the March 2012 Boston Seafood ment bills related to marine resources. One bill will es- Northern Shrimp Section revised the three landing days Show. They have secured a much larger booth space tablish a list of alternative freshwater baits permissible for the upcoming trawl season to Monday, Wednesday and are inviting Maine vendors who have not partici- for use in the Maine lobster fi shery and will create a list and Friday. The action, taken during a November 30 pated in Boston to exhibit at the booth. MLPC will of marine species that will be prohibited for use by lob- conference call, was based on industry input that prod- have food samples prepared by chefs available in the stermen. Another will establish a hard line trap limit of uct would be easier to sell in local markets if landing booth and plan to host additional events including a re- 400 traps for the Monhegan Island zone. The existing days were spread throughout the week. ception and chef contest. Maine companies will be in- law states that the island can fi sh up to 475 traps with Given this change, the 2011/2012 fi shing season vited to showcase their product offerings in the booth. the limit set at the discretion of the Commissioner, specifi cations are a total allowable catch (TAC) of The MLPC Board has a subcommittee to assist staff in currently set at 300 traps. The bill will also remove the 2,000 mt, with the season closing when landings are fi nalizing plans and the budget for this event. statute for the Monhegan-specifi c apprentice program. projected to reach 95 percent of the TAC (1,900 mt). MLPC continues to support the National Seafood As of November 9, 2011, a new law was imple- The trawl season will start January 2, 2012 with three Marketing Coalition effort to seek Congressional funds menting limiting trawls to four traps in a discrete area landing days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Ves- for seafood marketing. MLPC staff met with Commis- from Beals Island to Libby Island within Zone A. Zone sels may only land once a day. The trap season will start sioner Keliher to discuss the council’s concerns over a B held a discussion on lobster trap construction. Laura February 1, 2012 with a 1,000 pound landing limit per lack of monitoring for PSP in lobster tomalley, citing Ludwig attended the Zone G meeting to give a derelict vessel per day. concerns that this could become a major public health gear update. The council requested Marine Patrol pres- The Section will meet on January 19 to assess issue for the industry. The MLPC reports another ence to discuss MPO staffi ng issues and the Southern where total landings are relative to the TAC. If nec- successful Fall Harvest campaign, which included the Maine Lobstermen’s Association declared Dave Tes- essary, the Section may adjust the closing date or Maine Lobster Chef of the Year event in Portland, taverde their Offi cer of the Year. Zone D established a modify management options (e.g., trip limit, days promotions in Hannaford and Shaws supermarkets subcommittee to work on their referendum regarding out) at the meeting in order to prevent an overage and pilot holiday promotions in the mid-west. MLPC closed periods. of the TAC. The Section also charged its Techni- will be meeting with the new owners of the Hannaford Zone E requested patrol to be present to discuss cal Committee with reviewing an independent analy- chain supermarkets to discuss expanding promotions v-notching and claridy the defi nition of v-notch. Carl sis that explores an alternative assessment modeling to their Sweet Bay and Bloom chains. Wilson was also present to address the council’s ques- scenario. The Technical Committee’s fi ndings will be A number of Maine dealers, including Cozy Harbor tion regarding the biological impact of lobsters on bot- presented to the Section at its January 19 meeting. Seafood, The Lobster Company, Little Bay Lobster, tom. Wilson explained that Calendar Islands, Shucks Maine Lobster and Mazet- the v-notching system has ta, attended international trade shows in Hong Kong contributed to the current and/or Qingdao, with a few companies attending both. volume and status of the Food Export USA conducted a trade mission to Beijing fi shery. following these trade shows. The Maine International Trade Center has potential to support Maine compa- MLA Board nies to attend the Brussels European Seafood Expo. The Maine Lobster- MLPC has added a new Chinese section to its website. men’s Association Board of Dane Somers expressed concern over the legisla- Directors met on Decem- tion pending from last session to make changes to the ber 13, 2011 for what was MLPC. Commissioner Keliher stated that the Gover- largely an executive session nor would like to see Maine establish a seafood market- to discuss various budget ing council, however, the Commissioner stated that is items. likely too ambitious at this point in time. He also com- Patrice McCarron gave mented that the goal of bringing more professional an update on the Stat Oil expertise to the MLPC Board through the proposed offshore wind pilot proj- legislation makes a lot of sense. ect proposed for a site off MLPC staff will participate in the Lobster Town of the coast of Boothbay Meeting in Portland and Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Harbor. She explained that Rockland in March as part of their outreach to the lob- there is still an opportunity ster industry. Somers presented a proposal for discus- to engage in the process but sion to raise additional marketing revenues through a that it would require key 1% assessment on the landed value of the harvest, col- participants from diverse lected from dealers at the fi rst handler level. Jim Dow fi shing interests to convene expressed concern that this would ultimately come di- and discuss the pro’s and rectly out of harvesters pockets. con’s, or alternatives to the The Board discussed the strategic role of the current site. When members MLPC. Somers explained that the MLPC’s role is of the board questioned the to promote the product and the industry, not to ex- size of the test site, she ex- ecute sales. There are many issues including lack of plained that there are only coordination amongst dealers, mistrust between har- four turbines planned for vesters and dealers, issues with processing such that this pilot commercial proj- demand is ingredients based and does not use the ect, but that the project whole lobster and lack of traceability in the industry. could be expanded signifi - The Board requested a simplifi ed overview of the canlty at a future date. See MLPC’s marketing plan and a summary of MLPC’s article on page 1 to learn past marketing efforts for discussion at the next meet- more about StatOil. ing, which will be scheduled in January. After a short discussion, 16 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION January 2012 Whale survey continued from page 1 and photograph the whales. Also participating were volunteers from the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation (GOMLF), Allied Whale, and the College of the Atlan- tic. After three hours the fi rst whale spout was sighted, appearing as a spray on the horizon. We set off at 16 knots in pursuit. Most vessels are prohibited from pursu- ing whales, but the Friendship V has a special federal research permit that allows it to pursue and get closer to right whales than the normal maximum of 500 yards. Once we were near the whale, it appeared to be feeding just below the surface with its rostrum (head) and back breaking through the ocean surface. Then it spent several minutes exposed at the surface which allowed the team to take photographs. Photos are used to identify known whales and to provide information about previ- ously unseen whales. Scientists can identify a right whale by its callosity pattern, a series of unique markings on the head of the whale, similar to a human fi nger print. Each whale has its own callosity pattern which develops in the fi rst few years of its life. The photos are collected by NEA and used to assess the right whale population. As the day progressed, Bobby Ingalls and Mike Myrick proved to be keen sight- ers, yelling out when they saw sign of a whale. “After years of hunting for buoys in calm and rough seas, it’s easy to see changes in the water surface,” Ingalls explained. Zack Klyver, from Bar Harbor Whale Watch, explained that the most notable fea- ture of a right whale is its V-shaped spout, a shape created only by right whales produce. After sighting a fl uke breaking the water surface, a whale typically will dive for between six and twenty minutes. Whale photographs were taken by the researchers and cross-referenced against binders of previous photographs and hand-drawn callosity patterns kept by NEA allowing us to review the detailed records made over the last thirty years. It’s amazing to see such in-depth information for each individual whale. One of the whales we sighted had previously been entangled in gear and shed it on its own. Researchers also noted the condition of each whale sighted, including any new scars aquired as a result of gear entanglements or ship strikes. The level of detail associated with each whale and the time invested in documenting it was extensive. We were lucky to view a whale logging (resting) at the surface. It allowed the re- searchers to make thorough photographic documentation of this individual. Ingalls and Myrick spent twenty minutes watching the logging whale with the crew. Myrick commented that it was amazing to see this kind of whale behavior. “The fi rst thing that popped into my mind when we saw the whale logging was how likely it would be for a ship to strike it. We got really close and the whale never moved. In sea condi- Cushing lobsterman Mike Myrick (right) works with researcher Zack Klyver of FLUKES Inc, an inter- tions like this if we hadn’t had multiple people looking for whales you would never national whale watch tour company. Heather Tetreault photo. have seen it,” he said. of whales which surrounded us in all directions up to three miles away. “This is By mid-afternoon, the boat turned toward Cashes Ledge. The winter wind picked the jackpot of the day!” a happy volunteer said. The team focused on identify- up and cut through our layers of clothes. At Cashes Ledge we quickly spotted the ing multiple smaller clusters of whales. Despite the freezing cold wind, the people fi rst surface active group (SAG), with two to four spouts coming from one area. aboard reveled in the next hour of sightings. The quickly fading daylight meant that A SAG occurs when two or more right whales are in an area together and typi- we were unable to pursue all the whale clusters. As the sun went down the boat cally are touching. There is usually one female in a SAG, vocalizing to attract males. turned away from the last two visible whales to head back to harbor, 81 miles away. Sightings of right whales began coming from all sides of the boat “Two o’clock This was the fi rst time that Ingalls or Myrick had ever seen a right whale. The scien- off of the bow, half a mile off!” a volunteer yelled. The boat entered a large group tists were surprised that they had never encountered one before, but the two lobster- men explained that they never fi sh this far offshore. “The fact that fi shermen can experience this focused effort and get to understand what a right whale survey looks like and to see the animal in its natural environment is very important. I hope they take this back to their communities,” said Laura Ludwig of GOMLF. During dinner we had an animated conversation about the day’s work. Both Myrick and Ingalls expressed gratitude for the chance to participate in the survey. “Anyone who fi shes should have the opportunity to see these whales and the pro- cess of identifying them,” Myrick said. Zack Klyver echoed Myrick’s sentiments. “I think it is incredibly important for the Maine fi shermen who are being affected by the whale rules to actually see the right whales and know it is a legitimate issue. It is just great to have the guys be able to talk with the right whale scientists, to see them actively conducting research, and realize that they can identify each right whale by name.” The NEA team announced that we had seen twenty-three right whales that day, eighteen of which researchers were able to identify. Right whales come together in a surface action group (SAG). Moira Brown photo. Keep your traps fishing even when you can’t get to ‘em! All Natural Salted Hairless Cowhide LONG-LASTING and AFFORDABLE LOBSTER BAIT Available in 30 gal. drums or 5 gal. pailss www.bessybait.com Phone: 603.300.2846 or 603.300.2849 Email: [email protected] Bessy Bait is sold at our warehouse located at 155 rear Batchedler Rd., Seabrook NH 03874 ApprovedApproved Please call for HOURS and PRICING! Bessy Bait is also sold at all Brooks Trap Mill locations. Maine Labeling January 2012 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 17 So you want to know: Why do we v-notch lobsters? By Kathleen Reardon Surveys carried out by the MLA and Maine DMR give added weight to the prac- tice of v-notching. Since 1982, MLA members have collected v-notch information ince the mid-1980s, during an annual two-day survey in October. Since 1985, Maine DMR has collected Maine landings S data on the discarded portion of the commercial catch through an at-sea sampling have exploded from an program. Although landings have more than quadrupled since the early 1980s, these annual average catch of two surveys have consistently found that an average of 70% of eggers hauled up in 20 million pounds to traps are already notched. This is evidence of high compliance with v-notching thus the 95 million pounds the existence of repeat spawners and large egg potential. V-notching permits breed- landed in 2010. With ers to pass through the gauntlet of the commercial harvest until they fi nd refuge such high landings, the beyond maximum size. practice of v-notching has become very im- portant to scientists as V-notching is one of the few mechanisms that puts a one means to explain legal lobster back on the bottom. the continued high lobster population in Some lobstermen express concern over the potential to introduce disease or the the Gulf of Maine. A risk of killing a lobster as a result of cutting a v-notch. Research conducted in 1987 longstanding and ac- found that a new v-notch did not increase the susceptibility to “red tail,” a disease cepted practice of the commonly found in pounds. Deangelis, et al, in 2010 established that mortality is Maine lobster fi shery, not signifi cantly increased in notched lobsters. v-notching is a corner- V-notching has become a major part of the conservation measures in the ASMFC stone of conservation American lobster management plan. V-notching increases the yield of the fi shery by and management. enhancing recruitment and reduces the biomass available for harvest thus indirectly V-notching is one of V-notched, berried female lobster. Photo by Kathleen Reardon. reducing fi shing mortality. It ensures that there remain a large number of parents in the few mechanisms that the lobster stock which likely adds to the sustainability of the population. puts a legal lobster back on the bottom. It reduces the catch and exploitation of females while increasing potential egg production. Studies provide evidence that cutting a v-notch does not introduce disease or increase the mortality of lobsters. Kathleen Reardon is the DMR Lobster Sea Sampling Coordinator From its start in 1917 as a state-based purchase program of egg-bearing females, v- notch regulations evolved to the present day practice that is part of the daily routine of Maine lobsterman. Acceptance and compliance with v-notching regulations has increased steadily over the years. In 2001, Lobster Management Area 1 received conservation credit and avoided hy-liner management actions, such as changes to the gauge and trap limits, after the At- lantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) assessment model deemed rope company that lobsters were overfi shed. Instead, mandatory v-notching and zero tolerance enforcement were adopted in Area 1. Although other states have been skeptical of v-notching, most Lobster Management Areas have adopted at least a 1/8-inch v-notch defi nition. Over time, the v-notch practice as a conservation measure has gained more credit within the ASMFC lobster assessment process. Yet on the water, fi shermen often complain about the large number of v-notched SINK FLOAT lobsters they haul. We know from research conducted by Maine DMR that a number ROPE ROPE of smaller lobsters thrown back because of v-notches or mutilations likely have nev- er carried eggs. This is good for the lobster industry. The Area 1 legal minimum size of 3.25 inches is smaller than the estimated size of 50% of mature lobsters (3.58 inches). The only thing other than v-notching that keeps those lobsters from being Highest quality ropes made in Maine harvested is natural mutilations. In other words, v-notching allows more females to SuperSink • SteelLiner • EasyPull • Float Ropes grow larger and reproduce. hy-liner rope company st. george, maine A What do all YOU want - - to know? Call us with a lob- ster-related question at 967-4555, email annie@mainelobster- “R.E. Thomas products have integrity.” men.org, or post it to . / 0 www.facebook.com/ / 1 mainelobstermen. www.rethomasmarinehardware.com 18 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION January 2012 In the News NERACOOS receives federal funding Softer Canadian lobsters this season The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently allocated $1.8 Warm water temperatures are being blamed for the comparatively high percent- million in federal funds to the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean age of soft-shell lobsters this season in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFA) 33 and 34 in Observing Systems (NERACOOS) in order to collect data for the benefi t of the Nova Scotia. Lobster processors in Yarmouth, however, note that graders are seeing fi shing and shipping industries. Funding will be distributed to the University of 90 percent hardshell product, according to a recent article in CBC News. Proces- Maine Physical Oceanography Group; the Gulf of Maine Research Institute; the sors are concerned that early season reports are affecting the marketability of their University of New Hampshire; the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth; the product because of a public perception that the lobsters are sick. According to a University of Rhode Island; the University of Connecticut; and the Bedford Insti- 2011 pre-season report conducted in late October by the Atlantic Veterinary College tute of Oceanography in Nova Scotia. Lobster Science Center in Prince Edward Island, “only Cape Sable Island Inside and Outside had over 80% of the sampled lobsters classifi ed as ‘hard shell,’ while the Irving Oil tankers pose worries Moose Harbour sample had less than 50% of the lobsters in hard shell.” Portland waterfront businesses told to get In 1992, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association drafted a gentlemen’s agreement with Irving Oil vessels regarding their shipping routes to and from Searsport and out for ‘safety reasons’ Portland. Recently, fi shermen in the Bar Harbor area had noticed Irving tankers deviating from the agreed transit route. John Logan, a representative from Irving, explained there are “four product tankers under time charter that transit regularly In Portland, several businesses located on the Maine Wharf are facing evictions. down the Maine coast. We approached these ships about the concern you raised According to a December story published in The Forecaster, Three Sons Lobster & and it appears that one of them could have been occasionally going outside the pre- Fish, Chase Leavitt, and Fresh Atlantic were all given notice by their landlord Great scribed routing. The ships are all clearly aware of the requested route.” He explained Maine Wharf LLC claiming that they must vacate for safety purposes. The wharf ’s that circumstances do arise where routes change for safety reasons, but he encour- owner, Eric Cianchette, is seeking a permit to rebuild the wharf. The eviction comes aged the MLA to continue to communicate any issues. If fi shermen in the region see just as the City of Portland changed the Waterfront Central Zoning rules to include Irving Oil vessels outside of the transit area, they are welcome to contact the MLA non-marine businesses within 150 feet of Commercial Street. with that information. Email [email protected] or call 207-967-4555. Th e Eat Local Food Coalition supports Maine’s fi shermen and seafood markets By Monique Coombs Nearly two years ago, ELFC began a project aimed at helping better understand the challenges and opportunities currently facing our fi shermen and farmers, recog- ounded in 2004, the Eat Local Foods Coalition (ELFC) is a non-profi t network nizing the parallels between the two lines of work, in order to create greater aware- in Maine that seeks social change at a fundamental level: changing what we eat F ness of solutions that benefi t both producer groups. Since then, the By Land and and how we make decisions about what we buy. ELFC is a coalition of organiza- By Sea project has brought together representatives of more than two dozen food, tions and individuals interested in creating a shift towards a more locally-based food farming and fi shing organizations to discuss how best to work collaboratively to system that is economically vibrant, environmentally sustainable, and healthy. support our local food producers, meet infrastructure needs, build consumer sup- The local market for seafood is important for a number of reasons. It can pro- port, address policy changes and determine where to focus energy and resources to vide fairer prices for local fi shermen, keep money in our own communities, create create a more sustainable, economically viable and food-secure locally-based food jobs, and insulate our region from national and global recessions and sustain both system. fi sh and fi shermen. The Eat Local Food Coalition is sponsoring “By Land and By Sea: Leveraging With the abundance of fi sh fraud and misinformation regarding the sustainabil- Co-ops for Business Success” on January 19. This one-day conference for Maine ity of fi sh such as bluefi n tuna, it is important for consumers to know their local fi shermen and farmers will focus on the co-operative model of doing business. To fi shermen and be able to ask them questions in order to get the right information register, visit http://bylandandbysea.eventbrite.com, email info@lobstersonthefl y. regarding fi sh species, seasons, catch methods, stock abundance, and nutrition. By org or call 807- 5539. supporting local fi shermen consumers also protect their fi shing communities from consolidation of the fl eets. It pays to advertise. News & Comment for and by the Fishermen of Maine And we have the The Fishermen’s Voice SUBSCRIBE TODAY! rates you want. From the Canadian Maritimes, We Like To Hear From You! All along the Maine Coast, For a modest cost, you $ and in ports south to Cape Cod - can get your business To subscribe send check or money order for 18.* along with the information below to: Fishermen’s Voice noticed by the state’s P.O. Box 253 , Gouldsboro, ME 04607 IT’S WHAT 6,000 licensed lobster- *Canadian subscriptions are $23 U.S. dollars FISHERMEN READ! men, their familes and Name ______their friends. Address______City ______207-963-7195 We go where the State, Zip______lobstermen are. And MLA 05/10 Send letters, news, stories to: you can come too! Join us in Supporting the Tradition of Making One’s Living P.O. Box 253 Gouldsboro, ME 04607 from the Sea by Advertising in the Fishermen’s Voice. We have Email: [email protected] Call April Gilmore,967-4555 one of the best circulations among the industry’s newspapers, 8,000 copies or email [email protected] distributed from Kittery to Eastport and 2,000 copies to the major fishing Website: for advertising rates and information. ports in Massachusetts, and our advertising rates are very reasonable. www.fishermensvoice.com January 2012 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION 19 Events Calendar Time to apply yourself! January 3 January 20 he Maine Fishermen’s Forum Board of Directors offers a scholarship Lobster Advisory Council Meeting, 4 USCG Drill Conductor Course, Belfast. Tfund to benefi t immediate family members (son/daughter, or a grandson p.m., Hallowell. To register, 233-0787. /granddaughter) or legal dependent of someone actively involved in Maine’s seafood industry, regardless of fi nancial need or academic achievement. Un- January 5 January 27 dergraduates attending a two or four year college who are in at least the sec- Sea Urchin Zone Council Meeting, 5:30 Maine Lobster Promotion Council ond year of their program or students who are in at least the second semester p.m., Ellsworth Middle School Cafeteria Board meeting, 1-4 p.m., Hallowell. of their Certifi cate Program will be eligible. Applications will be accepted through February 25, 2012. Scholarships will be awarded by a random draw- January 9-13 Upcoming ing to be held during the 37 th annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum. Please note Take Reduction Team Meeting, Provi- that previous winners are not eligible. dence, RI. February 24-25 Fishermen and Scientists Research So- o you qualify? You must be a student in at least your second year (a January 19 ciety (FSRS), Truro, Nova Scotia. FMI: Dsophmore) of your college program to apply. You must have an imme- ASMFC Northern Shrimp Section and 902-876-1160. diate family member actively participating in Maine’s seafood industry. Advisory Panel, Portland Marriott, South Portland. FMI: 703-842-0740. March 1-3 hat do you need to apply? Complete the application found at http:// Maine Fishermen’s Forum, Rockport. Wow.ly/849MB. Provide an offi cial transcript or Registrar’s letter of cur- January 19-22 FMI: 442-7700. rent standing along with the application. Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association Annual Weekend, Hyannnis, MA. FMI: March 23-24 781-545-6984. Canadian/U.S/ Lobstermen’s Town Meeting, Portland. FMI: 581-1443. Hutchins continued from page 8 explains. The worst part about building a model boat is selling it. “You put a win- CLASSIFIEDS ter’s worth of time into it, sometimes a year or more. Then you turn it over and it’s For sale: 800 Lobster and crab traps. Jonah Crab traps, 42” w/cement runners, skid plates gone.” Hutchins has donated models to the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust on 10 gauge hauling end, oval entrance and parlor heads. 1-yr-old in like- new condition. 75 and other organizations. Many articles have been written about his craftsmanship @ $60 each. Deal for buying all. in the local papers and in Down East Magazine. Lobster traps are 3-ft., most w/cement runners, approx. 100 w/wood. Most are 10 gauge Hutchins invites friends to his shop during the winter to work on their mod- hauling end w/triangle bridle bridges, skid plates, shoulder guards, bait spikes, corner guards. els and “get the stove going, swap lies and what have you.” Noting his desire to Price from $20 to $50 each. Deal for buying quantity. reignite the community around his family’s legacy in building and racing pond Stainless steel, custom built “Piccolo” style gillnet hauler, $2500. Superior Trawl-built skiff boats, Hutchins explained, “Hopefully when I’m gone people will see my work net. 45’ chain sweep. 6” spectra twine with a 3” liner. Knotless nylon 7” bag. Assorted swiv- and think, ‘I wonder who made that? Why did they make it that way?’” els and hardware, $2500. 7/16 Everson sinking groundlines, made for 15 traps each @ 15 fathom between traps, 1 - 4 years old, $25 to $75 each depending on condition. Call Aaron at 401-741-7550 or email [email protected] with any questions about items listed. HYDRO-SLAVE SAME DAY SERVICE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT “THINKING OF BUILDING A NEW BOAT?” LET US QUOTE YOU ON A POWER STEERING OR A POT HAULER. 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FOR OVER 40 YEARS Call John for more information 1-800-747-7550 • Or visit us on the internet: http://www.midcoast.com/~marinhyd/ MARINE HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING 17 Gordon Drive • Rockland, Maine • Fax: 207-594-9721 Email: [email protected] 20 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION January 2012 Photographs from the Penobscot Marine Museum collections Holiday Winter At Holiday Beach in Owls Head, and at other places along the Maine coast in the 1930s and ‘40s, no one much cared if a few traps and a boat or two sat out the winter. The land was locally owned and its use freely granted, generally. A cradle fashioned of spruce logs for the boat to rest on, along with some planks and rollers, a tackle, and a car to do the pulling, was all it took to fetch a boat up beyond high water, where she’d be safe until spring. Elmer Montgomery Collection; LB2008.15.234 WE SALUTE YOU, MAINE FISHERMEN! 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