2024 Seminar Presentations
The following PDF presentations were shared in Forum Seminars on February 29, Martch 1, & 2, 2024
Wind Seminar Presentations
Maine Offshore Wind Research Consortium
DMR’s Seafloor Mapping in the Gulf of Maine
Informing Responsible Offshore Wind Development in the Gulf of Maine
Exploring Approaches to Fisheries Coexistence with Offshore Wind
Offshore Wind Transmission Framework
Introduction to Floating Offshore Wind Technology
Understanding Mooring and Anchoring
Federal Fisheries
Atlantic Cod Management Transition Plan
2024 Northern Gulf of ME Fed. Scallop Fishery Upcoming Changes and Resource Outlook
Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan Public Scoping Meeting
NOAA-Changes to Scallop Observer Notification Requirements
5-minute VMS reporting rate in the federal waters scallop fishery
Additional Seminar Content
Challenges and Opportunities for Marketing Maine Lobster
DMR LobsterWhaleScienceUpdate 2024
Thank You
Seminar Sponsors
2024 Seminar Schedule and Descriptions
The 2024 Seminars were held on February 29, March 1, & 2, 2024. The schedule and detailed descriptions are listed below.
Thursday Seminars: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday offers Shellfish Focus Seminars in the Rockland and Rockport Rooms; and Wind Seminars in the CamdenRoom
All-day Shellfish Focus in the Rockport and Rockland Rooms
8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Harmful Algal Blooms in Frenchman Bay
In this program, people will learn about water quality issues, like harmful algal blooms, bacterial pollution, and microplastics, that are impacting Maine’s coastal waters today. This program will focus specifically on the work being done by the Watershed Process and Estuary Sustainability (WPES) Research Group at UMaine, a multidisciplinary team working on place-based research with stakeholders to create science-based solutions to water quality problems. Improving our understanding of harmful algal bloom (HAB) behavior in Frenchman Bay has been a prominent focus of the group for the past three years. We aim to determine where HABs will flourish and to develop decision support tools for monitoring and harvesting. The project was motivated by the appearance of a new regional HAB species threatening Maine’s shellfish economy, Pseudo-nitzschia, that can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) when toxic and consumed by humans.
In this program we will discuss the knowledge we have gained from this study and how it will inform future monitoring and management of HABs in Frenchman Bay and other Maine estuaries. We will also discuss our other ongoing projects in Maine estuaries, focused on investigating bacterial pollution, microplastics, and more. Attendees will learn about the decision support tools for water quality management being developed by our research team, and how to access these tools on our website.
Host:
Dianne Tilton, Downeast Institute
Panel: Taylor Bailey, University of Maine, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Lauren Ross, University of Maine, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Sean Smith, University of Maine, School of Earth & Climate Sciences & the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Town-Led Shellfish Management Initiatives
This session will consist of five presentations on Municipal Shellfish Management Projects. The presenters were all awarded Municipal Shellfish Mini-Grants by the Department of Marine Resources in 2023 for projects related to shellfish conservation and/or management. Maine municipalities may adopt Shellfish Ordinances and take on the responsibility for managing their intertidal shellfish resources with support from the Department of Marine Resources. Many towns with Shellfish Ordinances choose to form Shellfish Committees to determine appropriate conservation activities, including projects like seeding mudflats with hatchery seed, predator protection, efforts to improve water quality in hopes of opening shellfish growing areas through water quality reclassification, resource assessment surveys, and more. With Maine softshell clam landings declining since the 1970s, and with an increase in predation by green crabs over the past decade, increasing communication amongst municipal shellfish programs regarding conservation activities becomes more important than ever.
The projects to be presented were proposed by Shellfish Committees and Municipalities in support of shellfish conservation and include a component of evaluation of the success of the conservation activity. Projects include two dog waste station installations in efforts to improve water quality classification (Town of Thomaston and Bristol Shellfish Committee), fall mudflat reseeding to increase the softshell clam biomass and test feasibility of fall planting (Georges River Regional Shellfish Program), concentrated green crab trapping as predator protection (Westport Island Shellfish Committee), and placement of broodstock clams in protected spawning cages to repopulate flats (Frenchman Bay Regional Shellfish Program).
Presenters will share updates on the progress of their projects, although not all projects have reached the stage of evaluating success.
Following the five presentations, our panel will answer audience questions, allowing other Municipal Shellfish Programs to learn from their activities.
Host: Meredith White, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Panel: Sandy Moore, Town of Thomaston
David Taylor, Georges River Regional Shellfish Program
David Cheney, Bristol Shellfish Committee
Jess Bourne, Bristol Shellfish Committee
Joe Porada, Frenchman Bay Regional Shellfish Program
Nick Pagon, Westport Island Shellfish Committee
Neil Stanton, Westport Island Shellfish Committee
10:30– 12:00 p.m. Clam Fecundity & 2023 Clam Recruitment Monitoring Network Results
The soft-shell clam fishery has been an iconic cornerstone of Maine’s coastal economy for >150 years. Since 1977, commercial landings have declined by 75%, and the decline is correlated directly with climate change and warming of the Gulf of Maine.
Fisheries-independent data demonstrate that observed declines are due primarily to predation, especially on 0-year class individuals (recruits). Recent interest has piqued among fishermen and managers around adjusting the 2-inch minimum size law and instituting an upper size limit and/or creating spawner sanctuaries in an attempt to allow clams to spawn enough to “swamp out predation.” Decisions about implementing new laws hinge on information related to reproductive output that is not readily available. To fill this critical need, Downeast Institute scientists have partnered with Shellfish Committees and clammers in Brunswick (southwest coast), Bremen (Midcoast) and Jonesport (Downeast) to conduct comparative, manipulative field experiments. With field sites in each of the three Maine coastal regions, the research is designed to determine: 1) whether reproductive senility occurs in larger/older individuals; and 2) the role that spatial and temporal variability play in: a) the relationship between clam size and number of eggs; b) the timing and duration of the spawning season; and, c) egg viability as a function of clam size.
This seminar will discuss the results of the first year (2023) of the study and plans for repeating the methods in 2024.
FOLLOWED BY
2023 Clam Recruitment Monitoring Network Results
Recruitment is a critical stage in the life-history of the soft-shell clam. Robust commercial harvests rely on strong recruitment followed by relatively high survival. Downeast Institute has partnered with 12 community shellfish programs across the state to determine how many clams are recruiting to the mudflats, how fast they grow, and estimate how many survive their vulnerable first year of life to become the basis of subsequent harvests in the following years.
Data from the 2023 Clam Recruitment Monitoring Network will be presented and discussed. Results from 25 intertidal locations across the coast of Maine from Wells to Sipayik show not only how many clams are recruited, but also seawater temperatures, and the sizes the clam recruits are able to reach when predators are excluded.
Host: Dianne Tilton, Downeast Institute
Panel: Dr. Brian Beal, Downeast Institute & University of Maine at Machias
1:00 – 1:45 p.m.Washington Shellfish Initiative: A Model Example of a State NMFS Shellfish Initiative Program
Maine’s bivalve shellfish industry is of huge importance to the state. Despite the impacts of climate change, the soft-shell clam fishery remains a top fishery in terms of value, landings, and number of fishermen employed. In 2022, clams and mussels, individually, made up three percent of the state’s total landings by pound, while oysters and scallops comprised two percent each, and quahogs one percent.
The effects of warming ocean temperatures and associated increased predation have taken a toll on commercial populations, creating a need for restoration efforts. Over ten years ago, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) established a National Shellfish Initiative to increase populations of bivalve shellfish in coastal waters through commercial production and restoration. In 2011, Washington state formed its own partnership, the Washington Shellfish Initiative, to promote shellfish. Since then, the Washington Shellfish Initiative’s accomplishments include improved water quality, a native shellfish restoration hatchery, support of vital research, and an assessment of the state aquaculture permitting process.
Come to this panel to learn about the NMFS national initiative and a successful state program. This panel will allow ample time for questions and discussion about the possibilities and merits of the program.
Host: Dianne Tilton, Downeast InstitutE
Panel: Kevin Madley, National Marine Fisheries Service & NOAA
Teri King, NOAA
1:45-2:30 Controlling the Risk of Vibrio Illnesses in Maine
Vibrio bacteria occur naturally in the marine environment. Some species of Vibrio can cause wound infections and foodborne illness. The National Shellfish Sanitation Program includes controls intended to reduce the risk of Vibrio illnesses through raw shellfish consumption. Maine first implemented Vibrio regulations in 2017 for hard clams and oysters in specific harvest areas. The DMR is expanding Vibrio regulations for oysters to the entire state in 2024. Participants will learn about Vibrio controls from scientists, regulators and industry members and hear about how the revised regulations will impact oyster and hard clam harvesters, aquaculturists, shellfish dealers, retailers and consumers.
Host: Dianne Tilton, Downeast Institute
Panel: James Becker, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Stephen Combes, Maine Center for Disease Control
Jeff Auger, Atlantic Aqua Farms
2:30- 4:00 Shellfish Focus Day Poster and Networking Session
This informal session will allow time for Shellfish Focus Day attendees to network with harvesters, scientists, managers, municipal staff, and others working or volunteering in the shellfish community. There will also be posters and tables with gear demonstrations highlighting current research, monitoring and technology. Attendees will be able to walk around to learn about these projects, socialize with others in the shellfish community, and connect with speakers and panelists who presented earlier in the agenda.
Some of the topics include:
- Shellfish updates from the DMR Bureau of Public Health
- Building a green crab fishery
- Exploring the viability of intertidal quahog aquaculture in Maine
- The elements of coastal ecosystems and working waterfronts
- Mapping access to the intertidal in Casco Bay
- Understanding the rise of blue crabs in the Gulf of Maine
- The effect of municipal shellfish management on shellfish harvester motivations to participate in resource conservation efforts
Host: Dianne Tilton, Downeast Institute
Panel: Department of Marine Resources – Bureau of Public Health and Aquaculture
Sarah Risley, University of Maine – Darling Marine Center
Rachel Freer, Dartmouth College
Emily Farr & Jessie Batchelder, Manomet
John Painter, Maine Green Crabs
All-day Offshore Wind Seminar in the Camden Room
10:00 am Update on Maine’s Offshore Wind Research Consortium
Moderator: Katy Bland, ME Sea Grant, NH Sea Grant and NERACOOS
Stephanie Watson, State of Maine, Governor’s Energy Office
10:50 am Federal Offshoure Leasing Process and Compliance
Moderator: Erin Wilkinson, Maine Department of Marine Resources
- Status update on Research Array and Commercial Leasing Process in Gulf of Maine and What to Expect for Next Steps – Zach Jylkka, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
- OSW Transmission Planning: When and How Does the Cable Route Get Approved?– Josh Gange, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
- Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE): Understanding Their Regulatory Role in Ensuring Safety and Environmental Protection in Offshore Wind Development – Hannah Weaver, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
12:15 pm Lunch Break and Poster Session
Grab a quick “to go” lunch and come back to learn about current work on OSW/fisheries science/impact assessment. Take advantage of the opportunity to chat 1-1 with scientists and others working to better understand how to develop OSW in a responsible way that avoid and minimize impacts on fisheries.
1:15 pm What is Floating Offshore Wind?
Moderator: Laura Taylor Singer, SAMBAS Consulting
- Introduction to Floating Offshore Wind Technology- Suzanne MacDonald, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Understanding Mooring and Anchoring Systems – Richard Akers, Maine Marine Composites
2:15 pm Response Panel: Fishermen and Agency Staff
2:55 pm Audience Q&A
Friday Seminars 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
9-10:15 a.m. Rockland Room
Atlantic Cod Management Transition Planning
Atlantic cod historically has been assessed as two biological units – Gulf of Maine cod and Georges Bank cod. An interdisciplinary working group led by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), with experts from the US and Canada, concluded there are five distinct biological units of Atlantic cod in US waters rather than two units. Building on this new understanding, a recent Research Track Stock Assessment, which was peer reviewed in July of 2023, produced four stock assessments for Atlantic cod, combining two of the five biological units. This resulted in separate cod stock assessments for Eastern Gulf of Maine, Western Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and Southern New England. Updated assessments of the four cod stocks will occur in June of 2024. The results of these assessments will be used to determine stock status and catch levels for the fishery.
To address these profound changes in the science of Atlantic cod, the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) embarked on a multi-year effort to develop a transition plan for Atlantic cod management. This effort includes addressing allocation issues and considering potential new measures to protect Atlantic cod spawning. The Chair of the Cod Research Track Working Group will provide an overview of the four cod stock assessments. Council staff will provide an overview of the Council’s work to date and how the public can get involved in the process. Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions about the cod stock assessments and provide feedback on fishery management.
Host: Maggie Raymond, Maine Fishermen’s Forum, Treasurer
Panel: Robin Frede, Fishery Analyst, New England Fishery Management Council
Angela Forristall, Fishery Specialist, New England Fishery Management Council
Dr. Jamie Cournane, Fishery Analyst, New England Fishery Management Council
Dr. Lisa Kerr, faculty, University of Maine; Chair of the Atlantic Cod Research Track Assessment Working Group
9-10:15 a.m. Rockport Room
Maine Lobstermen’s Association 70th Annual Meeting
Join us for our Annual Meeting to celebrate MLA’s platinum anniversary. For 70 years, the MLA has provided a consistent, credible, and informed voice to fight against over-regulation of the lobster industry and preserve Maine’s lobstering heritage.
Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Commissioner Keliher will be our keynote speaker to update MLA members on pressing issues, including status of the lobster resource and the scheduled gauge increase. He will also bring us up to speed on the DMR’s major expansion of its science branch, including the launch of its right whale research program.
The MLA will conduct its annual board of directors’ election and share the outcome of its strategic planning meeting to get feedback from the membership on the future direction of the organization.
MLA staff will provide updates on other important policy issues such as right whales and offshore wind development. As always, we welcome your questions, comments, and guidance and will allow plenty of time for discussion. MLA members, family, and the public are encouraged to attend.
Host: Katie Werner, Maine Lobstermen’s Association
Panel: Kristan Porter, President, Maine Lobstermen’s Association
Amber-Jean Nickel, COO, Maine Lobstermen’s Association
Patrice McCarron, Policy Director, Maine Lobstermen’s Association
Patrick Keliher, Commissioner, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
9-10:15 a.m. Camden Room
Seafood Markets & Marketing – What Are We Missing?
This interactive session will begin with a high-level overview of consumer trends and opportunities with a focus on nine species: lobster, mussels, scallops, oysters, clams, crab, flounder/sole, pollock, and seaweed.
The rest of the session focuses on soliciting direct industry feedback on two proposed seafood marketing pilot projects:
- Marketing to a more diverse local and regional consumer base
- Launching a chef educational series at the new Maine Aquaculture Innovation Kitchen at Atlantic Sea Farms
The first phase of SEA Maine (Seafood Economic Accelerator) brought together industry leaders across the aquaculture and wild-caught sectors, marine-focused nonprofits, and academic/research institutions to develop an economic development Roadmap for the future of Maine’s seafood economy.
Released in January 2024, the Roadmap contains goals and actions for the seafood sector developed from research into market development, new opportunities, and workforce issues. These proposed projects are an outgrowth of the Roadmap.
Host: Sebastian Belle, Executive Director, Maine Aquaculture Association
Moderator: Merritt Carey
Panel: Briana Warner, Atlantic Sea Farms
Janine Cary, Maine Center for Entrepreneurs
Ben Martens, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association
10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. Rockland Room
2024 Northern Gulf of Maine Federal Scallop Fishery: Upcoming Changes and Resource Outlook
Join staff from the New England Fishery Management Council and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to learn about the federal scallop fishery in the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM). This seminar will provide participants with information about recent scallop surveys, resources within the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and an opportunity to learn more about upcoming changes to monitoring and enforcement in the Northern Gulf of Maine management unit.
New England Fishery Management Council staff will provide an outlook for the upcoming 2024 NGOM federal scallop fishery and recap recent Council action on increasing Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) ping rates and transiting restrictions to improve enforcement in the fishery. Staff from the National Marine Fisheries Service will discuss how the fishery is monitored, including changes to the observer call-in system for all scallop vessels starting in 2024. Researchers from the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary will describe marine resources on the bank and how the scallop fishery could mitigate impacts. NOAA Office of Law Enforcement will be available to answer questions about the rules and regulations for the upcoming season.
Host: Maggie Raymond, Maine Fishermen’s Forum
Panel: Jonathon Peros, Fishery Analyst, New England Fishery Management Council
Connor Buckley, Fishery Specialist, New England Fishery Management Council
Travis Ford, National Marine Fisheries Service
Jason Berthiaume, NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
Capt. Pete DeCola, Superintendent, NOAA Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. Rockport Room
Challenges and Opportunities for Marketing Maine Lobster in 2024
The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative is an industry-funded organization tasked with marketing and promoting Maine Lobster in markets worldwide. It is managed by a board of directors comprised of fishermen, dealers, processors, public members and representatives from DMR and DECD.
In this seminar, Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative will address the ways the organization works with fishermen, dealers, and processors to implement marketing programs that take advantage of consumer trends to create demand for Maine Lobster while managing negative publicity and other challenges to protect the brand image. We will review results from the 2023 program and plans for 2024. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain a solid understanding of the role marketing plays in the Maine Lobster fishery.
Host: Hugh Cowperthwaite, Senior Program Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture, CEI Inc.
Panel: Marianne LaCroix, MLMC
Kara Morrison, MLMC
Brian Langley, Union River Lobster Pot
Josh Seifert, Weber Shandwick
Amy Tessendorf, Weber Shandwick
10:30- Noon Golf Club
Training for the Industrial Athlete: Mind, Body and Vessel
This session will focus on providing simple, practical health and safety tips to help fishermen stay as productive as possible in the 2024 fishing season. Fishermen can visit six, interactive “Quick Tip” stations at their own pace to learn about:
- a) “Eating Like an Industrial Athlete” – Helpful information on boat nutrition and how this can enhance performance. Recommendations for nutritious meals that can be served on fishing vessels will be included. [Instructor: Dr. Thais Sao Joao, University of Rhode Island].
- b) “Emergency Medical Response for the Industrial Athlete” – This station will focus on the key materials and items that should be included in a fishing vessel first aid kit, as well as wound management, dislocations, hypothermia and splinting. [Instructors: John Roberts, Russell Kingman, Shannon Eldridge, Fishing Partnership Support Services]
- c) “Hydrating for Peak Work Performance” – This station will provide tips on ideal daily fluid intake, hydrating options (electrolytes, powdered supplements, etc.), how to recognize dehydration, the adverse effects of energy / caffeinated drinks and why hydration is so important in the short and long term. [Instructor: Kim Gertz, The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety]
- d) “Staying Focused-Caffeination for Healthy and Sustained Work Performance” – Recommendations will cover ideal options, quantities, and frequency for caffeine intake. [Instructor: Dr. Mandy Roome, The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety].
- e) “Recover and Repair: Sleep Tips for the Industrial Athlete” –Suggestions will be made for maximizing limited sleep times, sleep banking and current recommendations for addressing insomnia. [Instructor: Dr. Mandy Roome, The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety].
- f) “Staying in the Game: Wellness for the Industrial Athlete” – This station will share ideas for dealing with stress and behavioral health issues productively. Common mental hurdles for captains / crew and ways for addressing them will be reviewed. [Instructor: Monique Coombs, MCFA Director of Community Programs and Personal Trainer].
Host: Gayle Zydlewski, Maine Sea Grant & Secretary, Maine Fishermen’s Forum
Panel: Dr. Thais Sao Joao, University of Rhode Island
John Roberts, Russell Kingman, Shannon Eldridge, Fishing Partnership Support Services
Kim Gertz, The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety
Dr. Mandy Roome, The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety
Monique Coombs, MCFA Director of Community Programs and Personal Trainer
1-2:30 p.m. Rockland Room
Eastern Maine Skippers Program – Next Generations Questions and Ideas
Students representing schools participating in EMSP will display poster sessions about their investigations and status for industry feedback. This is intended to give students experience in public networking and critique as well as, resourcing additional questions they have on industry relevant topics.
Posters will be set around the room to give audience opportunity to circulate and interact with participating schools and students.
Host: Tom Duym, Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries; Eastern Maine High Schools and Students
Panel: Eastern Maine High Schools and students
1- 2:30 p.m. Rockport Room
Atlantic Herring Amendment 10 Public Scoping Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is conducting six scoping meetings to solicit comments regarding the range of alternatives to consider in Amendment 10 (A10) to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which will address spatial and temporal allocation and management of Atlantic herring at the management unit level to minimize user conflicts, contribute to optimum yield, and support rebuilding of the resource.
The Council is also proposing to take action to enhance river herring (alewife and blueback herring) and shad (American shad and hickory shad) avoidance and other catch reduction measures to better support ongoing coastwide restoration efforts for those species. The Council is scheduling the scoping meetings in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
This seminar is the first in-person public scoping meeting in the series. The public scoping process is a way for the Council to collect information from the public and is an extremely important part of the amendment development process. The Council needs input from the public to identify important issues and develop a complete range of alternatives. Details on the public scoping process will be posted on the Council’s website under Amendment 10: https://www.nefmc.org/management-plans/herring
Host: Maggie Raymond, Maine Fishermen’s Forum, Treasurer
Panel: Dr. Jamie Cournane, Fishery Analyst, New England Fishery Management Council,
Emily Bodell, Fishery Specialist, New England Fishery Management Council,
Cheri Patterson, Member, New England Fishery Management Council
Rick Bellavance, Member, New England Fishery Management Council
1-2:30 p.m. Golf Club
Maine Commercial Fishing Safety Council Annual Meeting
The Commercial Fishing Safety Council, a 9-member volunteer Council created by the Maine legislature for the purpose of advising the Commissioner of Marine Resources will hold its quarterly meeting on March 1, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm in the Golf Club.
The public is welcome to attend and participate in this meeting. This meeting at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum is an excellent opportunity for the Council to hear the concerns of fishermen and the public at large. This is also an opportunity for fishermen to bring-up concerns that the Council should discuss and potentially bring to the attention of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Please join us.
The agenda for the meeting will be published on the DMR website.
Host: Jen Levin
Panel: Janine Drouin, Chair, CFSC
Sgt. Mark Murry, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Ex officio member Ann Backus, MS, Sec. CFSC
Parker Poole, Vice Chair, CFSC
2:45- 4:30 p.m. Rockland Room
Engaging Youth in Our Seafood Economy
Maine’s seafood economy—from harvesting, to transportation, logistics, marketing, biotechnology, and food service—has offered valuable employment and career opportunities for generations. Engaging youth early and often, in skills building and career aspirations, is key to the future of Maine’s seafood industry. A panel will share a variety of models of engaging K-12 audiences in different regions of Maine (and beyond), providing valuable insights to help guide strategies to increase awareness/knowledge of Maine’s seafood economy, as well as attract and train the next generation of Maine’s seafood workforce. This seminar will align with the Forum’s emphasis on engaging young fishermen, and wherever possible, youth will share their experiences as part of the panel.
Host: Gayle Zydlewski, Maine Sea Grant & Secretary, Maine Fishermen’s Forum
Moderator: Keri Kaczor, Maine Sea Grant College Program
Panel: Sophie Scott, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Scarlett Tudor, The Aquaculture Research Institute & UMaine Cooperative Extension
Tom Duym, Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries
Denise Cilley, Sunrise County Economic Council
Madison Maier, Hurricane Island for Science and Leadership
Merritt Carey, SEA Maine
2:45- 4:30 p.m. Rockport Room
Open Forum with Federal Fisheries Leadership
Please join us for the opportunity to meet and converse with the leadership of federal fisheries management.
Panel: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, NMFS
Jon Hare, Science and Research Director, NEFSC
Eric Reid, Chair, NEFMC
Cate O’Keefe, Executive Director, NEFMC
2:45 – 4:30 p.m. Golf Club
Climate Winners: Adapting to Species Shifts in the New England Supply Chain
One of the most relevant questions in fisheries supply chain management is how seafood suppliers are going to adapt to species shifts due to warming waters. Such changes represent potential opportunities in the form of ‘climate winners’– species that are predicted to become more abundant in New England waters– particularly in the state of Maine which is on the receiving end of these shifts. Seafood businesses must be prepared to adapt to these changes in order to survive in today’s conditions; however, it is unclear how species shifts and the resulting management changes will alter the seafood marketplace.
Session hosts, Kate Masury and Nicky Roberts, have worked to address the supply chain gap with their research. Interviews with seafood supply chain businesses suggest several potential pathways and barriers to climate resilience. Making these conclusions actionable for industry requires more collaborative knowledge sharing and links to policy.
A summary of the research project will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session featuring participants from the research. These industry members will share their innovative modalities for navigating species shifts, and necessary elements to incorporate climate winner species. Audience questions on these topics will guide the next portion of the discussion. Session hosts will ask the audience to provide specific ‘climate winner’ species they would be interested in exploring more.
The overall aims of the session are to: 1) alert diverse attendees of necessary areas of support for industry climate adaptation, 2) educate buyers and consumers on the benefits of diversifying seafood diets with climate-ready seafood, 3) enable knowledge exchange between Southern and Northern New England businesses on marketing emerging species, and 4) provide content for the hosts’ in-progress ‘roadmap for climate-resilient seafood supply chains’, an industry action plan designed to envision pathways to climate adaptation in New England supply chains.
Host: Hugh Cowperthwaite, Senior Program Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture, CEI Inc.
Panelists: Kate Masury, Executive Director, Eating with the Ecosystem
Nicky Roberts, Program Coordinator, Climate Resilience, Eating with the Ecosystem
Jillian Robillard, Southern Maine Crabs
Shareen Davis, Chatham Harvester’s Coop
Saturday Seminars 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
9:00-10:15 a.m. Rockland Room
High Quality Seafood: Increasing value and competing with imports
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, and the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance are working on a project that has the goal of improving the value received for finfish in New England. We know that even in the local marketplace, our fish is competing with fish from other parts of the world (like Alaska, Iceland, Norway) that have advantages in maintaining extremely consistent quality of their product (sophisticated on-vessel chilling or freezing systems, etc). What we hear from retailers and restaurants is that inconsistency in quality of groundfish and other finfish from New England can be a challenge that deters them from sourcing more local product. To better compete against imported seafood, we are exploring best practices, ways that fishermen and processors might further improve their quality, and what kind of value and benefits are needed by fishermen and processors to justify those improvements.
For this session, we will share preliminary results of on-the-water and shoreside experiments in quality handling that we’ve been doing with fishermen and processors. We’ll have a panel of project participants sharing their experiences, including successes and challenges they have had in improving quality and value. We also plan to bring some whole fish to the session and will set up a station where people can test out the tools we’ve used to assess quality more objectively. There will be plenty of time for discussion about what we as a region can do to work together on this challenge.
Host: Michelle Brown, F/V Lil’ More Tail & Maine Fishermen’s Forum Director
Moderator: Hannah MacDonald, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Panel: Joe Letourneau, F/V Lady Rebecca
Mary Hudson, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association
Adam Baukus, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
9-10:15 a.m. Rockport Room
Powering vessels in a post-diesel world: The fishing industry leads the way
- Recent record-high diesel fuel prices prompted many fishermen to contemplate the future of their businesses in a world that is reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. Fishing is a hard-to-decarbonize sector with no single “easy answer.” Around the coasts, fishermen and organizations are beginning to pilot technological innovations, and new project led through the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign is tapping into the collective expertise of commercial fishermen to ask: what kind of targeted public programs and policies are needed to enable bottom-up, locally appropriate innovation and put the fleet on track to a low-carbon future?
In this workshop, researchers affiliated with the project will present initial findings from interviews with fishing vessel owners throughout Alaska, the West Coast, and New England. Attendees will be invited to engage in a vigorous discussion about the options to power Maine’s fishing vessels in a world where diesel may become scarcer and more expensive. Participants will be asked to consider what kinds of public policies may be needed to build a bridge from today’s diesel-powered fleet to a low-carbon fleet of the future. Ideas generated during the workshop will inform the findings of the upcoming report “Accelerating a Transition to a Low Carbon Fishing Fleet” and will ensure that fishermen are in the driver’s seat of their own energy transition.
Host: Sebastian Belle, Executive Director, Maine Aquaculture Association
Panel: Sarah Schumann, Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign
Hattie Train, Wharfside Associates
Linda Behnken, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association
Steve Train, F/V Marcia and F/V Edward L Train
9-10:15 a.m. Camden Room
Scallops in our communities, shaping the future for this briny morsel
Scallops have been an integral piece of Maine’s coastal fishery portfolio and continue to provide critical diversity for fishing communities complementing the summer/fall lobster fishery with winter work. What is scallop’s role in the future of our fishing businesses and communities as climate changes and resilience strategies are built?
Our goals for this session are to engage the scallop industries (harvesters, growers, and dealers) in our discussion of priorities involving the role of the scallop resource in our collective future. What are research, management, and community goals looking forward to in the next 15 years?
This session will be organized into 15-year blocks each with a short talk before our facilitated group discussion:
- The past (1995-2010) presented by Carla Guenther, focusing on the social, and economic role of the scallop fishery in our coastal communities and diverse fishing portfolios.
- Our current management scheme (2010-Present) presented by Carl Huntsberger focused on the rebuilding period and what our available information may be revealing about how this has impacted various harvesting strategies over time.
- Looking forward to 2040 with the expected climate related shifts presented by Damian Brady and focusing on short term climate impacts specific to scallops and this region. During this talk we will highlight some current research occurring in the state, aimed at improving our resilience and understanding of potential climate impacts.
Following our presentations we will have a fishery-led panel to react and comment on the presentations before moving the room into facilitated discussion of future priorities/vision for the scallop resource.
Host: Tom Duym, Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries
Panel: Carl Huntsberger, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Carla Guenther, Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries’
Damian Brady, Darling Center, University of Maine
Mike Murphy, FV Big Buggin Alex Todd, FV Jacob & Joshua Tad Miller, FV Julie Anne
9-10:15 a.m. Golf Club
Maine Elver Fishermen’s Association Meeting
In addition to conducting their Annual Business Meeting, the Maine Elver Fishermen Association will receive updates on management, science, and eel aquaculture in Maine.
- Pat Keliher, MDMR Commissioner: Discuss up-coming ASMFC Addendum’s for the Glass & Yellow Eel Fisheries. Maine Eel Lottery system and its funds
- Robert Watts, MDMR, Presentation of the new swipe card system and its implementation
- Sara Rademaker, American Unagi: Eel Aquaculture in Maine and the future of this upcoming Industry.
- Jason Bartlett, MDMR: Presentation on the results of the American Eel Life cycle study and how DMR is use that data.
10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. Rockland Room
Maine DMR Lobster Science Update
Over 80% of American lobster landings in the US come from Maine lobster boats fishing across the coast. The Maine DMR Lobster Monitoring and Research Program collects demographic data on the Gulf of Maine lobster population at different life stages through multiple long-term monitoring surveys including the Landings Program, Settlement Survey, Inshore Trawl Survey, Commercial At-Sea Sampling, Ventless Trap Survey, and Larval Survey. These data are used in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission American Lobster Stock Assessment to inform the management of this valuable fishery. Additionally, the 2022 Omnibus Funding has expanded the DMR Marine Mammal Division and Maine DMR is actively expanding our research into better understanding the distribution of whales in the Gulf of Maine through monitoring methods. Maine DMR staff will provide the annual update of all monitoring programs, new research, and discuss trends over time.
Host: Meredith Mendelson, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Panel: Rebecca Peters, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Robert Russell, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Kristyn Kleman, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Heather Glon, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Anita Murray, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Briony Donahue, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. Rockport Room
Deckhand to Captain Training: Helping the Next Generation Succeed
The “graying of the fleet” has impacted northern New England fisheries, witnessing a decline in young entrants over the past 15 years. In response, we conducted scoping mee2ngs in 2019, resulting in the creation of a unique 9-month Deckhand to Captain training program. Tailored for experienced deckhands and sternmen aspiring to be Owner-Operators, the program covers business planning, fisheries management, regula2ons, marke2ng, and more.
Offering a comprehensive approach, the training includes Safety and Survival/Drill Conductor sessions, Business Advisor support for two years, and mentorship from experienced Captains. Our aim is to empower the next generation of fishermen and women.
Recognizing the importance of industry-regulator collaboration, we facilitate dialogue by invi2ng regulators from Maine DMR, NH Fish and Game, DMF (Mass), NMFS, and NOAA to address trainees. We also encourage par2cipa2on in NEFMC mee2ngs, offshore wind discussions, and GMRI’s Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) to enhance industry understanding.
With upcoming funding, we plan to extend the program to southern Maine. Presenting at forums with graduates sharing experiences would showcase our program’s impact. Applications for the 2024 training, starting in April, would be available for southern Maine candidates at the Forum.
Our program serves as a crucial bridge, preserving the commercial fishing heritage and culture of our region, nurturing one Captain at a time.
Host: Tim Sheehan, Gulf of Maine, Inc.
Panel: Andrea Tomlinson, New England Young Fishermen’s Alliance
Student graduates of 2022 and 2023 Deckhand to Captain
10:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. Camden Room
The Potential Implications of Black Sea Bass and Other Range Expanding Species for the Gulf of Maine
As ocean temperatures in the Gulf of Maine rise, species previously unable to tolerate the historically cooler temperatures are now able to move northward. This is particularly true for black sea bass. In southern New England, black sea bass saturate fishing gear and landings are at an all-time high. Combined with quotas that severely hinder the ability to retain black sea bass for market, fishing communities, businesses, and regulators are struggling to keep up with the growing population. Furthermore, black seabass eat a wide diversity of invertebrates including juvenile crabs and lobsters, potentially disrupting coastal ecosystems and fisheries. Thus, as black sea bass move northward, the implications and impacts of this range shift are becoming increasingly concerning. This seminar will present upon CFRF’s cooperative black sea bass monitoring projects that engage the local fishing community as well as NEU’s research on the ecological and socio-economic impacts of black sea bass and blue crabs on the American lobster and fishing community. We will end with a panel discussion featuring our presenters and members of the fishing community to discuss the industry’s experience, perception, and the future of these range-expanding species in the Gulf of Maine.
Host: Gayle Zydlewski, Maine Sea Grant & Secretary, Maine Fishermen’s Forum
Panel: Elizabeth A. Soranno, Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation
Helen Cheng, Northeastern University Marine Science Center
Dr. Andrew Goode, University of Maine
Carl Wilson, Maine Department of Marine Resources
Captain Rick Bellavance, Priority Fishing Charters
Captain Kenneth Murgo, Trident Fisheries LLC
Captain Curt Brown, Ready Seafood
10:30 Golf Club
New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association Meeting
The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (“NEFSA”) is a newly founded fishing advocacy group which was formed to represent all wild harvesters in all fisheries within our New England Communities. NEFSA was founded in the spring of 2023 and has already reached nearly 600 members across New England. NEFSA is dedicated to educating the public about how best to manage our seafood resources through sound science and best practices at conservation used by fishermen, with a view toward economic well-being, ecosystem sustainability, and U.S. food security.
We’ll hear from Holtzman Vogel on the current legal work NEFSA is doing, as well as an introduction to the recently formed New England Fishermen’s Foundation.
Host: Maggie Raymond, Maine Fishermen’s Forum
12 Noon Golf Club
Maine Lobsterboat Racing Association Meeting
A brief meeting for the upcoming lobster boat racing season. Updates on the rules, classes and calendar. Will also discuss any other issues relating to lobster boat racing that members would like to follow up on. Will be showing old fishing photographs.
Host: Jenni Steele, Island Fishermen’s Wives Assn.
1-2:30 p.m. Rockland Room
Diversifying your Fishing Business – Learn from those who have done it.
For the last 10 years various organizations have provided training and support for fishermen and women interested in adding aquaculture into their fishing business. With the increased uncertainty caused by climate change and by federal regulations, more people are likely to explore aquaculture as an additional revenue stream.
In this session the audience will hear about the expansion into shellfish and/or seaweed aquaculture directly from those who have diversified their operations. Panelists will discuss:
- What motivated them to pursue aquaculture
- How they learned more about the opportunity
- What resources they used to set up their operations
Panelists will also discuss what they have learned since starting their businesses, including:
- What has worked well
- What has not worked
- What they wished they knew when they started
- What resources they wished they were aware of or had access to when they started
- What advice they have for fishermen and women thinking about expanding their operations into aquaculture
Following the panel discussion there will be a facilitated question and answer period where attendees will be encouraged to ask questions of the panelists and other experts in the room that provide services for starting and growing an aquaculture business.
Additionally, we will provide both printed and online collections of all available resources interested fishermen can use to explore aquaculture as a business diversification opportunity.
Host: Nathan Johnson, Shearwater Ventures
Moderator: Sam Belknap, Island Institute
Panel: Steve Train, lobster/aquaculture, Long Island
Marsden Brewer, lobster/aquaculture, Stonington
Jeff Putnam, lobster/aquaculture, Chebeague Island
Bob Baines, lobster/aquaculture, Spruce Head
Karen Cooper, lobster/kelp, North Haven
1-2:30 p.m. Rockport Room
New England GEAR Team: Working with Industry to Solve Gear Disposal Issues
The New England GEAR Team (Gear Extraction and Response Team) was formed in 2023 and consists of five regional groups who work with the commercial fishing industry in the collection, disposal and recycling of “ghost gear” and “end-of-life gear” that has been retired from use.
Gear from every fishery can be lost on the ocean floor where it may become a hazard to navigation, impede harvesting, create more lost gear, or wash up onto shore. Once recovered, ghost gear is often beyond use and is a challenge to dispose of properly; in many cases there are regulations that prevent anyone but the owner from handling it. In addition, when active gear needs to be retired or disposed of, there are very few options for proper disposal.
This session will include discussion about:
- where and when ghost gear removal work may take place in New England
- how to participate in the ghost gear removals from sea or shore
- ways to prevent ghost gear
- end-of-life gear collection and processing options
Host: Meredith Mendelson, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Moderators: Laura Ludwig, Center for Coastal Studies
Erin Pelletier, Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation
Panel:Buzz Scott, OceansWide
Ashley Sullivan, Rozalia Project
Caitlin Townsend, Net Your Problem
Pamela Moulton, Artist, No. Bridgton ME
Mike Rego, F/V Miss Lilly, Truro MA
Tor Vincent, Northport NY
Fred Backman Jr, F/V Atlantic Viking, Winter Harbor ME
James Barclay, F/V Lina Rose, Harpswell ME
Tad Miller F/V Mallory Skye – Matinicus ME
1-2:30 p.m. Camden Room
Working Waterfronts and Coastal Access: Challenges, tools, and opportunities for the future
Maine’s fishermen and farmers rely on working waterfronts for accessing the water, landing product, gear storage, and many other things. Working waterfronts are incredibly diverse are also increasingly threatened by coastal property conversions, climate change, and species shifts. This session will cover challenges and opportunities for working waterfronts from recent years, the January 2024 coastal flooding events, and looking towards the future. We will begin with a panel discussion featuring a diversity of working waterfront property owners and organizations who are protecting and maintaining working waterfronts and access in Maine. Panelists will speak about their experiences, lessons learned, and the tools they are using to maintain and increase access, as well as how they are increasing the resilience of their properties for the future. They will also discuss strategies for raising awareness about the importance of working waterfronts to Maine’s marine economy. The panelists will be joined by other members of Maine’s working waterfront coalition to answer audience questions in the final part of the session. There have been access-related discussions recently during shellfish focus day, and this session will bring the discussion to a larger audience. There are many individuals and groups supporting working waterfronts and coastal access, as well as the communities impacted by coastal change. There is more urgency than ever for protecting and increasing the resilience of working waterfronts so future generations will have access to fishing and aquaculture opportunities.
Host: Meredith Mendelson, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Moderator: Natalie Springuel, Maine Sea Grant
Panel: Emily Farr, Manomet
Clayton Whidden, working waterfront property owner,
Tad Miller, Tenant’s Harbor Fishermen’s Co-op
Monique Coombs, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association
Rebecca Rundquist, Sea Meadow Marine Foundation
1-2:30 p.m. Golf Club
Alewife Harvesters of Maine Meeting
Join the Alewife Harvesters of Maine for their annual meeting.
In addition to conducting annual business the group will receive the latest updates on habitat, restoration and fish passage projects in Maine – past, present and future – by Dr. Theo Willis, Maine DMR.
Developing a K-12 River Herring Lesson Plan for restorations by Bailey Bowden, Director, AHOM.
Smoking Alewives
A new start up business in Franklin ME that is focused on Smoked Alewife and bringing new products into the market place. Kristin & Rob Vizzarro
Ken “Bucket” Davis (East Machias, Maine) & the East Machias elementary school Kids leading the presentation on Smoking Alewife on the East Machias River
Bait : Alewife Harvesters of Maine Looking forward to the future of bait supplies. Mike Thalhauser, Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries.
Q&A What’s on your mind Session – Open Floor
2:45- 4:30 p.m. Rockland Room
Understanding eDNA and Possible Management & Policy Implications
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an evolving new tool that can both identify and quantify fish and other commercially important species in the marine environment. eDNA is rapidly being adopted by a number of government, public, and private agencies and groups interested in understanding and managing either particular species, or marine diversity, in general. An advantage of eDNA is that it only requires collecting water samples at different sites and then filtering the water to obtain any DNA in the sample. Fish, and all marine organisms, slough DNA into the water through scales, urine, feces, and other tissues. Once the DNA is isolated, different types of DNA technology can be used to either identify and quantify specific species, or to look at overall species abundance diversity. The ease of sampling and uniform methods for analysis provides great potential to bolster traditional surveys and access different habitats that can ultimately aid in management and policy decisions. The Maine eDNA project is a multi-institutional effort in the state to help develop and improve eDNA science so that it can be applied as broadly as possible. The goal of this session is to show fishers how eDNA equipment and methodology work, describe how eDNA is being used in management decisions in other regions, and seek input from the community as to how eDNA may be applied most effectively. We envision this as a brief presentation introducing eDNA and the panel members, followed by a demonstration of the gear being used (Niskin water sampler), and ending with a Q&A session.
Host: Michelle Brown, F/V Lil’ More Tail & Maine Fishermen’s Forum Director
Panel: Erin Grey, University of Maine
Phoebe Jekielek, University of Maine
John Kocik, NOAA
Ben Martens, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Assoc.
Aaron Whitman, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
2:45 – 4:30 p.m. Rockport Room
Amplifying the Voices of Maine’s Fishermen and Fishing Communities through Storytelling
As threats to the state’s fishermen and working waterfronts increase, it is more important than ever to share the traditions, culture, and heritage of Maine’s fishing communities with year-round residents and visitors alike. This panel discussions focuses on projects that amplify the voices of fishermen and empower Maine’s fishing communities through storytelling
This panel brings together leaders in podcasting, oral history, and communications to speak with industry leaders about specific projects including Island Institute’s podcast From the Sea Up, The First Coast’s Lubec and Stonington exhibits, Voices from the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, College of the Atlantic’s Mapping Ocean Stories, Maine Sound + Story oral history archive, and Maine Sea Grant’s radio show Coastal Conversations. The panel includes a fisherman and aquaculturist who have participated in one or more of these projects. Together the panelists will discuss the value of stories as a means to communicate with the broader public and to build more resilient communities.
Host: Gayle Zydlewski, Maine Sea Grant & Secretary, Maine Fishermen’s Forum
Moderator: Nick Battista, Island Institute
Panel: Galen Koch, Island Institute, Mapping Ocean Stories, The First Coast
Natalie Springuel, Mapping Ocean Stories, Maine Sea Grant
Laurie Baker, COA Data Science Professor, Mapping Ocean Stories
Camden Hunt, Mapping Ocean Stories, COA
2 Industry Leaders/project participants (Lobster and aquaculture industries)
2:45 – 4:30 p.m. Camden Room
Commercial Fishing Safety Council Damage Control Kit Workshop
East Coast vessel disasters between 2010-2014 accounted for 37% of the fishing fatalities (22/60, and include sinking’s, capsizing, groundings, fires and other events, such as flooding. Lobster and scallop are among the leading East Coast fisheries in vessel disasters. Many of these vessel disasters could have been prevented if the captain and crew had had a basic Disaster Control Kit on board and known how to use the contents.
This Workshop, hosted by the DMR Commercial Fishing Safety Council, will include brief panel presentations covering historical data and descriptions of actual disasters. An interactive demonstration of how the contents of a Damage Control Kit, while not required by current USCG regulations, could deployed to prevent incidents from becoming serious disasters that could result in injury, death, or vessel loss. Two kits will be raffled-off during the Forum.
Host: Meredith Mendelson, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Moderator: Janine Drouin, Chair, CFSC
Panel: Sgt. Mark Murry, Maine Marine Patrol, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Ann Backus, MS, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health
Patrick Shepard, REDDE Marine Safety
Josh Duym, REDDE Marine Safety
John McMillan, Maine Maritime Academy
2:45 – 4:30 p.m. Golf Club
Get Stronger, Fish Longer!
The diverse fishing industry in Maine has one thing in common; fishermen, aquaculture farmers, and clammers tend to take better care of their fishing equipment while ignoring the most important tool-themselves. The manual labor aspects of the fishing industry can wreak havoc on the body whether due to repetitive motion, duration of job, and awkward positioning. These issues can get compounded when there is an underlying health issue like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and diabetes. As industrial athletes, fishermen and aquaculturists are susceptible to above average wear and tear on joints. With aging, there is the additional loss of muscle and bone, and decrease in hearing and vision potentially making it difficult to get the job done.
Participants will learn how the ergonomics of their job can impact performance and affect quality of life. Brie, an occupational therapist and farmer, will teach simple steps they can take to reduce risk of injury and have better productivity on the job. Toni, an oyster and kelp farmer, and certified yoga instructor, will provide yoga instruction that can be done anywhere on the clam flats or boat -no lycra or yoga mat needed.
Monique, a fishing family member, and certified professional trainer will provide information, and instruction on how to stay fit in the off season, so fishermen are better prepared for fishing.
Host: Jen Levin, True Fin
Panel: Brie Weisman, OTR/L Maine AgrAbility
Toni Small, E-RYT500, FishAbility, Ice House Oysters
Monique Coombs, CPT, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association
Annual Association Meetings in the Golf Clubhouse
Friday, March 1, 2024
1:00 – 2:30 Maine Commercial Fishing Safety Council
Saturday, March 2, 2024
9:00 – 10:15 Maine Elver Fishermen’s Association Meeting
10:30 – 12:00 New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association Meeting
12:00 – 1:00 Lobster Races Meeting
1:00 – 2:30 Alewife Harvesters Of Maine Meeting
A special thank you to our 2026 sponsors.
