Maine Fishermen’s Forum Plans for 2021
Even though the Forum is unable to host a live event this year, the Board of Directors has committed to sponsoring several events over the next 6 months. The activities that are in the planning phase range from virtual events to radio shows and are designed to occur during the 2021 winter and spring.
The focus of these virtual events will encompass subjects such as Shellfish Day, Lobster Science, US Coast Guard Safety Seminar, Young Fishermen Event, and many others. As the schedule is finalized, an updated listing of events will be available on the Forum Facebook Page, the Forum Website (www.mainefishermensforum.org) as well as through media releases and email notifications.
Please check back frequently below for updates!
Public Information Sessions for Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan
The National Marine Fisheries Service proposes to amend the regulations implementing the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan to reduce the incidental mortality and serious injury to North Atlantic right whales, fin whales, and humpback whales in northeast commercial lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot fisheries to meet the goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.
To provide opportunity to learn about the proposed rule and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), it is holding four public information sessions in January, two of which – on January 19 and 20 – are co-sponsored by the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, focused on Maine fishing interests. A summary fact sheet contains information on the proposed rule.
The primary intent of these sessions is to orient participants to the documents and the review process, and to answer questions about what the proposed rule and DEIS contain. It is not primarily intended for public comment – those will be accepted at public hearings in February, or online through the Regulations.gov comment portal. The comment due date is March 1, 2021.
The January information sessions will run from 6:30-9 pm. They will open at 6 pm for troubleshooting, so please log on early. Registration links are here:
- Tuesday, January 19: Maine, southern focus
- Wednesday, January 20: Maine, northern focus
If you are unable to attend, you may access a pre-recorded version of the slides to learn more about the rule.
Maine Fishermen’s Forum Announces Scholarship Book Award Opportunities for 2021
The Maine Fishermen’s Forum is very pleased to announce that the Board of Directors will award $40,000 in scholarships this year, despite having to cancel the live event normally held in March. Applications will be accepted until March 3, 2021, for up to 26 Scholarship Book Awards. Scholarships will be a minimum of $1500 each, and will be payable to the winning students.
Last year, the total scholarship book awards totaled was $60,000.00, generated from the annual Scholarship Auction, and donations from Forum attendees and organizations.
Candidates must complete the Forum application, be in at least their second year of college or a vocational school, and will need to submit a transcript along with the application. Scholarship applications are available below or by sending a SASE to Maine Fishermen’s Forum, PO Box 288, Bath, ME 04530. Applications can also be requested by calling (207) 442-7700. Prior winners are not eligible for this scholarship opportunity.
The deadline for submitting an application is Wednesday, March 3, 2021. If there are any questions, please contact Chilloa Young (coordinator@mainefishermensforum.org), or call 207-442-7700.
The scholarship drawing will be held on Friday, March 5, 2021. Winners will be announced on the Forum website and on the Forum Facebook page on the same day.
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