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Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 37 Number 6
February 2010
Maine Fishermen’s Forum: ‘Safe harbor’ for 35 years
ROCKPORT, ME – This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum at the Samoset Resort here, an event widely recognized as a chance for the fishing community to “circle the wagons” and take a deep breath before plunging back into battle with worrisome fisheries management issues and a sagging economy.
Regardless of which area of the commercial fishing industry happens to be your focus, most people attending the March 4-6 forum will want to take at least one swing through the annual trade show.
“This year’s trade show is showing a strong rebooking trend,” reported forum Coordinator Chilloa Young. “We have new vendors registering, as well. We actually have a first-time exhibitor from Mumbai, India coming this year who sells insulated fish boxes.”
Last year marked the debut of the “Decompression Chamber” at the forum – a room designated for live music, story telling, movies, and other entertainment.
Based on the warm reception it received in 2009, the chamber will return again for 2010, beginning with a Thursday afternoon session and continuing through Saturday.
“Folks seemed to appreciate a ‘safe harbor’ to retreat to between some of the heavier issues of the weekend,” said Brian Robbins, who represents Commercial Fisheries News on the forum’s board of directors. “Imagine hanging out in a really nice bait shed with decent seats. That’s the feel we’re after.”
Get up to speed
But the forum also serves to help fishermen get up to speed on the latest scientific, regulatory, and political developments that affect their businesses.
This year’s three days of information sessions begins with “Clam Day” on Thursday afternoon. It will be a double-length session with both roundtable panel and open public discussion focused on issues important to Maine’s clam diggers and dealers.
Friday’s schedule will feature a number of sessions of interest to groundfish fishermen, including an opportunity to share your opinion on the pending Amendment 5 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan with the New England Fishery Management Council.
Fishery management specialists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will be on hand for a seminar called “Commercial Groundfishing in FY 2010: Sectors and the Common Pool.” The effects of Amendment 16 and Framework 44 on the fishery will be the focus of this afternoon session.
Groundfish permits will the subject of two of Friday’s seminars, with a discussion of the effectiveness of permit banks followed by the “Facts & Fallacies” of permit buyouts.
For the scallop fleet, the title of Saturday’s discussion says it all: “Changes in Scallop Management: What Do We Need to Do to Move Ahead?”
Forum goers also will get a chance to meet and discuss concerns with candidates in the upcoming governor’s race.
Mighty lobster
Considering the role they play in Maine’s fishing industry, it’s no surprise that lobsters are the focus of a number of the weekend’s events.
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association will take advantage of the forum setting to hold its annual meeting on Friday morning. From there, sessions range from sharing new ideas with “Innovations in Lobster Handling,” which profiles the Northeast Harbor Co-op’s recently installed refrigeration equipment, to taking a look at “Lobster Fisheries From Around the World.”
There will be a seminar to update lobstermen on the progress of the Lobster Task Force, as well as a discussion of the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Ventless Lobster Trap Study and the Density Lobster Trap Experiment conducted in Tenants Harbor.
Two discussions will focus on the dollars and cents of lobstering: the aptly named “Lobster Biz” is a business planning workshop, while marketing will be addressed during the “Lobster Promotion From the Boat” seminar.
Maine Sea Grant will host a session with representatives from the Lobster Health Coalition providing a progress report on lobster health from Long Island Sound to the Canadian Maritimes.
Lobstermen also will be interested in a discussion on herring and bait scheduled for Saturday morning, along with a river herring discussion group in the afternoon.
And, as always, the Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association will hold its annual preseason meeting.
Safety
On both Friday and Saturday mornings, the Coast Guard’s Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program will once again host training sessions in the Samoset’s heated pool.
In addition to survival suit and life raft segments, the Coast Guard will have an underwater egress trainer available for demonstrations. Immersion suits will be available, but free inspections will be provided for those who bring their own.
On Saturday afternoon, the results of the safety study conducted along the Maine coast, co-funded by NOAA and the Maine Sea Grant Program, will be discussed. Panelists will present information based on findings from over 250 boardings of commercial fishing vessels.
Alternatives
This year’s forum will offer a number of chances to “think outside the fish box.” For instance, “By Land and By Sea” will take a look at bringing together the state’s fishing and farming communities.
For those considering aquaculture for the first time, there will be a seminar on “Aquaculture Site Selection and the Leasing Process.”
“From Fisheries to Tourism: How Fishermen Can Tap Into the Tourism Dollar” will feature a panel of speakers from the fishing community who saw the potential of the tourism industry and made the switch, in some cases, to full-time. Retrofitting of boats and equipment, along with license and insurance issues, will be discussed.
Other thought-provoking discussions on the weekend’s agenda will include “What Can Collaborative Research Do to Help You?” and “Market-Based Strategies for a Sustainable Seafood Industry,” along with an “Update On Ocean Energy and Wind Power.”
Nightlife
All three nights of the forum feature plenty of fine eating and entertainment. Name your favorite finfish or shellfish and you’ll undoubtedly find it at Thursday night’s seafood reception. The “Horseshoe Crabs” will be returning this year to provide live music.
Friday evening features the annual Fish Dinner, with fresh product donated by the Portland Fish Exchange, followed by master auctioneer David Etnier stirring things up at the Scholarship Benefit Auction. All proceeds from Friday night’s auction go into the Maine Fishermen’s Forum scholarship fund.
Saturday night is the big finale – the Forum Banquet, which will be followed by a short program of special recognition for industry members. Forum scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each will also be awarded during the evening to immediate family members of people actively involved in Maine’s seafood industry. Saturday’s festivities will be capped off with dancing to the music of DJ Chris Grade.
“I’m optimistic about this year’s Maine Fishermen’s Forum,” said event Coordinator Young. “Maine’s fishing community has been hit hard on several fronts, and the forum offers an opportunity for conversation, commiseration, browsing the trade show, and enjoying a midwinter family vacation.”
All seminar info was correct as of press time in mid-January. For more information and/or updates, please visit the forum web site at <www.mainefishermensforum.org> or contact Young by phone at (207) 442-7700 or by e-mail at <chilloa@taxbracket.com>. /cfn/
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