January 2012 - Maine Lobstermen`s Association

Transcription

MAINE
AINE
LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Better Informed, Better Decisions
January 2012 Vol 20, No 1
Lobstermen take part in right whale survey
By Heather Tetreault
S
I
n early November, 2011, Environment Canada
brought charges against Cooke Aquaculture for
illegal pesticide use that was linked to dead lobsters
in New Brunswick waters. The pesticide, cypermethrin, was allegedly used in an attempt to control sea
lice, but it’s not clear how much was used or how
it was administered. This has prompted a number
of Maine fishermen to ask about the potential risks
to lobsters associated with sea lice treatments on
salmon farms.
Sea lice are small marine crustaceans that feed
by rasping mucus, skin, and blood from a fish’s ex-
tanding on a dock at 4:00 a.m. is a regular practice for
MLA Board members Bobby Ingalls of Bucks Harbor and Mike Myrick of Cushing. Early on December
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.
As the boat steamed out in rough, choppy seas, Dr. Moira Brown, senior scientist at the New England Aquarium
(NEA) explained to the team — approximately 20 scientists and researchers — that the survey trip was funded
by the Canadian Wildlife Foundation. Two weeks earlier
aerial surveys had spotted right whales in Jordan Basin
and Cashes Ledge so the vessel would spend the day
covering both areas.
Previously scientists were unsure where right
whales mated. In the last few years, however, groups
of right whales were discovered congregating in Jordan Basin and Cashes Ledge during the winter months,
prompting researchers to hypothesize that these areas
were where some whales spend the winter and mate.
Once the sun came up, a team of researchers stood on
the top deck with cameras and binoculars to search for
Continued on page 9
Continued on page 16
Sea lice treatments
trouble lobstermen
By Chris Bartlett
Bobby Ingalls, right, aboard the RV Friendship V. Heather Tetreault photo.
Portland Shellfish Co
Proud Sponsor of the MLA
Maine Lobstermen’s Association
21 Western Ave. #1
Kennebunk, ME
04043
U.S. Postage Paid
Brunswick, ME 04011
PRST STD
Permit No. 65
Contact Scout at (207) 799-9290 • Email: [email protected] • www.pshellfish.com
Work ahead for offshore wind proposal
By Craig Idlebrook
First published on December 12, 2011, in The Working Waterfront. Reprinted with permission.
A
t a recent meeting, federal and state officials said
they are just beginning to evaluate a bid for a small
wind farm in deep water off Boothbay, but already
many ocean stakeholders are concerned. Some environmental and fishing groups feel they don’t have a strong
enough voice in the process, wind proponents say the
approval process is moving too slow and some officials
admit there are critical data gaps to properly assess the
project’s potential impact.
On December 8, state and federal officials of the
Maine Task Force of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) met in South Portland to discuss an
application of the Norwegian energy company Statoil
to build a 12-megawatt wind farm. The four wind turbines would be put atop floating platforms rather than
anchored directly to the ocean floor, which would make
it the first floating wind farm in the United States and
the largest such project in the world.
A week earlier, BOEM announced it had verified the
completeness of Statoil’s application and would begin
the lengthy process of evaluating the proposal. An application for the project must also be approved by the
Maine Public Utilities Commission; a Maine PUC official said at the meeting that it was considering several
proposals for wind or combination wind and tidal projects, including the Statoil plan; a decision on the proposals will be released in the next few months.
Aditi Mirani, BOEM Project Director for Maine,
emphasized that this was just the beginning of the process and that BOEM will be looking for public input.
The project would be considered a prototype, with
just four turbines generating 12 MW on floating platforms. It would be located within a 22-mile area of the
Gulf of Maine.
United States Coast Guard Marine Transportation
Specialist George Detweiler said the proposed wind
farm location didn’t seem to interfere with popular shipping routes that went to Portland.
“Statoil picked a fairly decent location, as far as traffic goes,” Detweiler said. However, he cautioned that
this initial assessment was based on a snapshot of 2009
Continued on page 7
INSIDE
Building a business
page 6
Lobster trap economics
page 13
Why do we V-notch?
page 17
2
MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Maine Lobstermen’s
Association
Advocating for a
A
sustainable
lobster resource
and the
fishermen and
ccommunities that
depend on it
Since 1954
S
Board of Directors
•••
President: David Cousens
So. Thomaston, 207.594.7518
1st VP: Jim Dow
Bass Harbor, 207.288.9846
2nd VP: Brian McLain
New Harbor, 207.677.3377
Sec/Treasurer: Arnold Gamage, Jr.
So. Bristol, 207.644.8110
Bob Baines, Spruce Head, 596.0177
Shane Carter, Bar Harbor, 288.0236
Dwight Carver, Beals, 497.2895
Gerry Cushman, Port Clyde, 372.6429
Jim Henderson, Camp Ellis, 282.0913
Robert Ingalls, Bucks Harbor, 255.3418
Mark Jones, Boothbay, 633.6054
Jason Joyce, Swan’s Island, 526.4109
Jack Merrill, Islesford, 244-4187
Tad Miller, Matinicus, 372.6941
Mike Myrick, Cushing, 354.6077
Brad Parady, Kittery, 337.3141
Kristan Porter, Cutler, 259.3306
Lawrence R. Pye, Small Point, 389.9131
Willis Spear, Yarmouth, 846.9279
Jay Smith, Nobleboro, 563.5208
Craig Stewart, Long Island, 846.3158
Elliott Thomas, Yarmouth, 846.6201
Donald Young, Cushing, 354.6404
Jack Young, Vinalhaven, 863.4905
Staff
•••
Executive Director
Patrice McCarron
207.967.4555
[email protected]
Industry Communications
Coordinator
Melissa Waterman
207.691.2330
[email protected]
Whale Projects Coordinator
Heather Tetreault
207.967.4555
[email protected]
Education Coordinator
Annie Tselikis
[email protected]
Education Assistant
April Gilmore
[email protected]
Communications Assistant
January 2012
Steaming Ahead
P
erhaps it’s the mother in me, but I worry about you lob- overboard or being struck by a piece of equipment while
stermen as you put your lives and health at risk each day working. Those who have survived serious accidents at sea
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
fishing is one of our nation’s most dangerous professions. are immune to accidents so you must be prepared.
Fishing in Maine is particularly dangerous because the water
The winter traditionally has been a time to slow the pace
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
about the weather.
order for the next busy fishing season. It has also become a
I am extremely grateful that Maine fishermen 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 suf27 Maine fishermen 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
Peter Prybot, a well-known lobsterman from Gloucester who work on your boat this winter, think about new ways to set
was a regular contributor to Commercial Fisheries News.
your hauler or stack your gear that would minimize strain on
It may sound cliché, but being prepared saves lives. Maine’s your body. As you prepare to spend time in your workshop
excellent record at sea this year reflects development of a true during the cold winter months, please think about your health.
culture of safety for our industry. The state has demonstrated Take the time to ventilate your shop or work outside when
a commitment to keeping fishermen safe through the estab- you paint buoys or burn rope.
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,
stermen complete the drill conductor class in order to qualify the risk of accident and injury increases. It is easy to take your
for a commercial license. Popular television shows like “The health and your life for granted when you’re in the daily grind
Deadliest Catch” have also done a lot to raise awareness about trying to earn enough money to live a comfortable life. But
the dangers of working at sea and further deepen our empha- that life can’t ever be truly comfortable without your health.
sis on safety.
As an industry, lobstermen are known to push hard and
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
the water has become when I watched a recent interview of take time to think about your health and safety at sea. Think
a young lobsterman, Abraham Beal from Beals Island, by a about the small things that you can do that will make a longstudent from Husson University. When asked what it takes term difference, such as signing up for a drill conductor class
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
derstanding about the ocean. The first thing that my parents to remain healthy enough to enjoy those soon-to-come retire– my dad and my grandfather -- always taught me was to have ment years – and it could save your life.
respect for the ocean because it’s a very powerful thing and
could take your life at the snap of a finger.”
I wish you a new year filled with health and good cheer! As
What exactly does that respect mean in terms of Maine’s always, stay safe on the water.
fishermen? The Harvard School of Public Health did a study
of more than 250 Maine fishing vessels in 2008 and 2009 and
came up with both good news and bad
news when it comes to safety at sea.
TheMaineLobstermen’sAssociationadvocates
The good news is that nearly 100% of
forasustainablelobsterresourceandthe
the vessels were equipped with bilge
fishermenandcommunitiesthatdependonit.
pumps, fire extinguishers, radios, com
passes, personal floatation devices,
Tradition*Leadership*Fairness*Collaboration
flares, ring buoys and GPS. Nearly
three-quarters of the boats had survival suits on board. And contrary to the
pervasive myth, 84% of the fishermen
reported that they knew how to swim.
HARVESTERMEMBERS
BUSINESSMEMBERS
Only one-half of the vessels, however,
Highliner*:$175 Regular:$100
BusinessHighliner:$250(boldinnewsletterdirectory)
had EPIRBs, a critical piece of safety
Family**:$150
Over65/Under18:$50 Business:$125
*receiveanMLAhat
equipment. And it’s not enough to
BusinessName:_____________________________
**providenamesoffamilymemberstobeincludedinmembership
have the right equipment onboard -- it
Contact:___________________________________
FRIENDOFTHEMLA
must be properly serviced and in good
Address:___________________________________
Friend:$50
working condition for it to count.
On the bad news side, less than 25%
Name:_____________________________________ Town:_____________________________________
of Maine fishermen had participated in
State:_____________Zip:___________________
Address:___________________________________
a drill conductor course or cold water
Phone:_____________800#:_________________
Town:_____________________________________
training. I’ve spoken with so many fishEmail:_____________________________________
ermen over the years who have had a
State:___________Zip:______________________
Website:___________________________________
close call at sea – whether slipping on
Phone:_____________Cell:___________________
DISCOUNTS—Yes!OurBusinesswillofferdiscountsfor
deck, getting a boot wrapped in rope,
goodsorservicestoMLAmembers.(pleasedescribe):
Email:_____________________________________
running aground, experiencing a man
MLAMembershipApplication
___________________________________________________
Sarah Paquette
[email protected]
License#:____________Zone/District:______
ADDITIONALCONTRIBUTION
The MLA newsletter is published monthly. It is
provided for free to all Maine lobstermen thanks
to the support of newsletter sponsors. This month’s
sponsor is Portland Shellfish Co.
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Contribution$_______________ Pleaseconsideranadditionalcontribution
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Maine Lobstermen’s Association
21 Western Ave., #1
Kennebunk, ME 04043
[email protected]
www.mainelobstermen.org
Our newsletter is now online!
The third annual photo
contest ends on Jan. 15!
MLALEGALDEFENSE MLA’sLegalDefenseFundisdedicatedtopayinglegalexpensesassociatedwithHogan&Hartson’sprobono
representationofMLAonwhalesandotherissues
Best crew, best bait, best scenic
and best action photographs
are welcome!
Send entries to [email protected] or to 33 Grove
St., Rockland ME, 04841.
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January 2012
Protecting large lobsters is crucial
By Diane Cowan
First published on December 1, 2011, in The Bangor Daily
News. Reprinted with permission.
T
he largest lobster recorded in the scientific literature was caught off Cape Cod in 1974 and
weighed 42.5 pounds. This behemoth was a male who
was probably 100 years old.
Large lobsters are essential to the health of the fishery, but we haven’t managed them that way. Current
rules almost guarantee that we will never again see such
a giant lobster. After decades of trust that the fishery
was well managed and lobster landings could remain
high despite heavy fishing, I’m worried.
A population can take only so many violations of
nature’s rules for its survival, and nature’s rules for
lobsters operate over a time scale of decades. Females
lobster take about a decade to reach sexual maturity,
just like human females (age at first menses for half of
human girls worldwide is 10. That’s not when most or
all are mature, just the earliest half.) Lobsters can then
reproduce for many more decades and, unlike humans,
can theoretically grow and reproduce indefinitely.
But fishing pressure is so intense that few lobsters
reach maturity. Of the record 94.7 million pounds of
lobster Maine landed in 2010, an estimated 95 percent
had just molted into the minimum legal size of about a
pound and a quarter — less than eight to ten years old.
Imagine a world in which 95 percent of eight-yearold humans are removed every year. It would still be
possible to maintain the global population, but if some
disaster or epidemic swept the planet, there would be
little chance of recovery. That’s the situation with lobsters. Most have vanished by age eight. That leaves few
to grow old with proven survival genes to pass to the
next generation.
3
Guest Column
Older lobsters have survival know-how. They have
evaded predators, including humans; they have survived
harsh weather, disease and maybe pesticide floods and
thermal stress. Large females are more fecund, carrying
more, larger embryos, and they travel greater distances,
thereby spreading their genes far and wide, resulting in
a higher probability of success.
While a strong population can cope with an onslaught of natural and human-derived threats, a compromised population cannot. The collapse of the lobster fishery in southern New England is a warning to
Maine and Canada: rising temperatures, pesticides and
disease might have been survivable except that they
were acting on a weakened population. The result was
catastrophic. The same thing could happen here.
In an ideal world, lobstermen would land plenty of
lobsters at a good price while leaving sufficient numbers on the bottom to keep the population fit by reproducing for many decades, as nature intended. Unfortunately, at minimum legal size, less than half the
females are mature. As a result, few lobsters reproduce
even once.
Females carrying embryos on their abdomens are
protected, and that’s good. But when captured, they are
V-notched to mark them as breeders. The mark is an
open wound that increases susceptibility to disease and
predation, with no evidence that notching helps either
them or the fishery.
In my three decades of studying lobsters, I conclude
that the biggest fishery management problem is how
to keep the population balanced among young and old
lobsters. Current management measures don’t ensure
that future generations of fishermen will benefit from
future lobster generations.
My view is that the only way to guard the Gulf of
Maine fishery against a disastrous crash such as the
one south of Cape Cod is to guarantee that at least
Diane Cowan of Friendship is executive director of the
Lobster Conservancy. Diane Cowan photo.
a few centurions survive. Instead, Maine has loosened
its lobster rules by condoning the harvesting of “oversized” lobsters.
Maine was a leader in lobster conservation, the first
to outlaw taking lobsters with carapaces longer than
five inches, or about 3.5 to 4 pounds. Although Maine
lobstermen still may not harvest them and ground fishermen may not land them here, Maine recently passed
a law that allows processors to purchase “oversized”
lobsters from Canada and states that allow capture.
This creates a market that will be sure to be filled at the
expense of the lobster population.
The Gulf of Maine lobster fishery is surviving on
luck. Will our luck hold despite this latest assault? I
hope so, but the question is keeping me awake at night.
4
January 2012
Learn the four P’s of marketing lobsters
By Catherine Schmitt
T
here’s been lots of talk over the years about marketing lobster. And over the
years, most lobstermen claim that marketing isn’t their job—their job is to fish.
Now, through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program, lobstermen are learning
that their job—harvesting wild animals from the sea for profit—is really a business.
Those helping to run the TAA program, including Annie Tselikis of MLA, say
that even those lobstermen who prefer to think of their occupation as a trade, an art
even, need to know something about the business. “If they understand the market,
the factors that control demand and price, then they can make better decisions about
how lobster is promoted, managed, etc.,” said Tselikis at a recent training in Machias.
“For example, I’m hearing more and more lobstermen talking about investing differently in promotion. In order to know how to make such changes, they have to know
something about the market beyond the dock.”
Lobster is a tiny slice of the global seafood pie. Lobster
is not among the top ten seafoods consumed in the
United States.
So, about that market. Seafood consumption—demand—is increasing worldwide. Walmart is the world’s largest seafood retailer. Wild fisheries—supply—have
leveled off, and aquaculture products are making up the difference to satisfy this
demand. Lobster is one of the few remaining “wild” fisheries that has not been
devastated, as the record landings of recent years attest.
Lobster is a tiny slice of the global seafood pie. Lobster is not among the top ten
seafoods consumed in the United States (those include shrimp, salmon, and canned
tuna). But changing trends may create opportunities for the Maine lobster.
People are looking for American products, for local food. Homarus americanus or
American lobster, makes up 55 percent of the global supply of lobsters (the other
45% includes spiny lobster, rock lobster, and European lobster). Of that American
lobster, more than half comes from Canada. New processing facilities and regulations are trying to change this ratio. And services like localharvest.org and Marketmaker, as well as several Maine-based initiatives, are working to make local seafood
more accessible to local people.
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
fish from sea to plate. People want organic and chemical free foods. Lobster comes
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People are looking for healthy food. Lobster is low in fat and cholesterol.
People are stressed out and don’t have time to cook and pick the meat from
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that suggests the creature’s former self.
Where are these people, your potential customers? How do you reach them? Follow the four Ps of marketing:
Your Product must have some perceived value: nutrition, taste, convenience, locale. Lobstermen have known for years that quality is part of this value, and Maine’s
industry can’t afford to let quality slip.
Your Price reflects your product’s level of quality, and this is what so many people
are working hard to change. “We realized in 2008 that customers are very sensitive to
the cost of lobster. Now, we have a cost-price squeeze — fishing costs more because
bait and fuel prices are up, but dockside price is down. We have to work toward developing a better option, either individually or industry-wide. People are frustrated
to the point of wanting to make some changes,” explained Tselikis. Finding ways to
cut costs or make a fishing operation more efficient 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
you want to project? How do you want people to think of your product? What can
you do to brand your lobster or your harbor by using tools such as names, logos and
tag lines? Maine seafood has a solid, quality brand, but we can do so much more.
Finally, you need to think about the Place where you sell your product. Direct
marketing is an option, but it isn’t for everyone. Selling your catch directly to chefs
and consumers is time-consuming and takes people skills. It does, however, allow
you to control the price, to focus on value and quality. Community Supported Fisheries are an option for some but may not work in rural areas, where locals get their
seafood from friends and family. Your neighbors might not be the customers who
are going to pay extra for predetermined delivery, or buy a value-added product they
can make themselves. Many lobster businesses have found that the Internet is the
fastest and least expensive way to find buyers, at least until local demographics or
the seasons change.
Product, Price, Promotion, Place—more things for the twenty-first century lobsterman to think about.
Catherine Schmitt is the Maine Sea Grant science communicator.
January 2012
5
From the Dock
Correction to December story
MLA gives support to Patrick Keliher
I
O
just read the MLA newsletter and the article on the Certified Maine Lobster
program. You did a very good job on that overview. However, I believe I
was misquoted when you stated “Cozy Harbor and Calendar Island Lobster,
for example, do not use the Certified Maine Lobster logo because, according to
Somers, they occasionally use Canadian lobster in their products.”
This is incorrect. I believe I stated that large processors such as Cozy Harbor
and Portland Shellfish, for example, do not use the logo as they occasionally have
to purchase Canadian lobster to supplement local supplies. Per the requirements
of the CML program, they would have to change their packaging and labeling
whenever they had mixed sources of lobster in order to be honest and comply
with the CML program specifications. This is just an example of the awkwardness in execution with the program that I referred to in our discussions.
I recall stating that Calendar Islands may not use the CML logo in practice
as they have their own proprietary logo that they use identifying their lobster as
‘Maine Lobster’.
Calendar Island Lobster, as far as I know, only sources lobster from Maine,
essentially from their own harvesters that are part owners of the company. Calendar Islands is staunchly supportive of Maine lobster and to imply, or mistakenly
suggest, that they purchase lobster from Canada is most likely quite offensive to
them. I’m sure this was an innocent mix-up stemming from lots of information
to sort through. Please issue a correction so there is no confusion.
Thanks for your cooperation!
Dane Somers
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Mr. Somers is correct. Calendar Islands Maine Lobster gets its product from
Maine lobstermen, many of whom are members of the company. We apologize for the error. Editor
n behalf of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, I am writing to update you
on MLA’s strong endorsement of Patrick Keliher to serve as Commissioner of
the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR). The MLA Board has had many
discussions on potential candidates to lead our marine resources agency, and our
organization overwhelmingly supports Mr. Keliher. Many in the MLA have gotten to
know Mr. Keliher over the years through his work as head of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and the Director of Maine’s Bureau of Sea Run Fisheries
through which he has proved his competency in the field of marine resource management. However, it is through Mr. Keliher’s role as Acting DMR Commissioner
that the industry has truly taken notice of his ability to listen and lead our industry.
Through MLA’s Board of Directors, staff and membership, our organization has
worked closely with Mr. Keliher since his appointment as Acting Commissioner this
summer, and observed him working in a variety of settings which include MLA Directors’ meetings, zone council meetings, Lobster Advisory Council, Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries Commission, Maine Lobster Promotion Council Board, and numerous small meetings with industry representatives.
The MLA has been impressed by Mr. Keliher’s sensitivity on complex and controversial issues, and we have heard consistently positive feedback from our membership. Mr. Keliher has a unique ability to understand the issues that are important to
our fishermen and coastal communities. He does not pretend to know it all -- instead
he listens, asks questions, challenges ideas, and has shown leadership for our industry.
MLA has heard positive reports from lobstermen on Monhegan Island, who had
an extremely constructive meeting with Mr. Keliher. We have also been impressed
by his willingness to think outside of the box to help Maine cope with the difficult shrimp regulations we are facing this year, and his leadership in reaching out to
industry stakeholders on issues such as the lobster industry’s limited entry system
and federal whale rules.
The MLA strongly urges you join us in supporting Pat Keliher as the next DMR
Commissioner. The Olsen tenure was tough for everyone, and we need a leader with
strong vision and an understanding of what is important to our industry. We cannot
afford to try our luck with an unproven candidate when we have a known and proven
leader ready lead the department.
Patrice McCarron, on behalf of the MLA Board of Directors
6
New Recruit
January 2012
Building a business, one step at a time
By Annie Tselikis
C
had Dorr’s childhood home is at the end of Bar Island Road in Milbridge,
Maine. 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 located on that same plot of land. “Pretty much everyone in my family fishes – my
dad, uncles, cousins, grandfather. Everyone fishes 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 figured that if something happened 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 fishing 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 launched his business, he has continued to grow – building a second ground
pound, buying product off boats in his area and around the downeast region, then
selling those lobsters direct to the consumer. “Right now I’m at about 30% Web
sales and the rest wholesale, but I’m trying to change that balance” he said, noting his passion for the Maine lobster product. “I live in Maine, I support Maine
and I buy off of Maine fishermen. That’s what I’m trying to
sell.” Chad, like many members
of the Maine industry, is frustrated when he sees outfits from
Rhode Island and other New
England states marketing their
local product as a Maine lobster. “Maine lobsters are from
Maine,” he said emphatically.
Dorr Lobster is a small family-owned business, so small that
when you call to place an order,
Dorr Lobster Co. sells primarily direct to the consumer. anyone you speak with on the
Annie Tselikis photo.
Chad Dorr in front of his company’s ground pounds in Milbridge. Photo by Annie Tselikis.
other line will be a Dorr – either Chad, his wife Stephanie, or his parents. The company’s remote location in eastern Maine comes with certain challenges. Chad can’t
air-freight lobsters because the business is so far from Boston. But because his volume is small and he emphasizes direct-to-consumer sales, UPS and Fedex services
work for daily shipping and pick up. “I enjoy what I do, but it does get frustrating.
The dealer end is hard because you have to worry about supply and demand,” Chad
admits. “If you have too much product, you can’t sell it. If you have too little product, you can’t get it to them.”
In October, 2011, Chad participated in the annual Harvest on the Harbor festival
in Portland for the first time. Maine’s premier food and wine trade show gave Chad
and Stephanie the opportunity to talk directly with consumers, the company’s primary market. “It’s good to see what they expect and to tell them about the services
we provide,” Chad said.
Chad has served on the Maine Lobster Promotion Council board of directors
and continues to participate in various trade shows and exhibitions throughout the
year. He particularly likes the International Boston Seafood Show (IBSS) which
Chad calls an incredible opportunity. “I like to go and see what’s new and how I can
benefit from new technologies and see what else is out there,” he said.
January 2012
Maine Lobstermen’s Association Board of Directors:
Carver, Beals Island & Tad Miller, Matinicus Island
7
Dwight
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 CarvThe fellowship we have is good. We have our differences, but I
er of Beals to the board. “I don’t remember why they asked
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, fishing would be difficult.”
Miller was elected to the MLA board of directors in 2006 afCarver 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 indifficult to balance meetings with fishing, 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 fighting 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 fishing,” 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 find 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 find it’s not as simple as what you hear over the radio.”
I don’t know how much they pay attention.”
Resource Center
I
Offshore wind continued from page 1
and 2010 shipping traffic; 2011 data had yet to be analyzed. Also, the assessment
only tracked large ships using required transponders. Pleasure boats, lobster boats
and large ships that shut the transponders off won’t show up in the Coast Guard
data.
Detweiler added that the location selected might prove more problematic if
Statoil tried to expand its wind farm in the future. He wished Statoil had been able
to submit a plan for expansion with its initial plan.
“They really don’t know, so we don’t know,” said Detweiler.
There is less information to gauge the potential impact of the turbines on endangered shorebirds, said Linda J. Welch, a biologist with the Maine Coastal Islands
National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There is particular concern of the potential impact on endangered piping plover and roseate tern populations. Welch said Statoil
incorrectly used an UMaine bird study that was meant to focus just for the area
surrounding Monhegan Island to project impact on birds in the Boothbay region.
In reality, the scientific community still knows little about shorebirds and seabirds in
the Gulf of Maine, as a whole. “We have basically no information as to where those
birds go to find food,” Welch said.
During the public question-and-answer period, fishermen and fishing officials
expressed concern over a perceived lack of communication in the process. Some
said the fishing community felt caught off-guard by the announcement of the application for the permit, but fishermen are beginning to take notice. “The phone
is starting to ring; emails are starting to come in,” said Pat Keliher, acting commissioner for the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
Portland tuna fisherman Chris Weiner wishes Statoil and BOEM had consulted
with the fishing community earlier in the process. The area proposed for the wind
farm is located in prime fishing ground for trawling, shrimping, gillnets and lobstering, Weiner said. A NOAA map displayed briefly during the meeting also showed
high fish density in the proposed farm location. “You couldn’t have put a box in a
worse place, in my opinion,” Weiner said.
Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association,
worried there isn’t a lot of great data on lobstering trap patterns to quantify the possible effects of the wind turbines and the laying of the transmission line in that area.
Only about 8 percent of lobstermen who fish in federal waters contribute data, she
Who is in charge?
From the December 8 meeting, it’s clear that at least two federal and state agencies hold the key to the future of Statoil’s plan to erect a prototype floating wind
energy project in the Gulf of Maine: the Maine Public Utilities Commission
and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The latter agency
may not sound familiar to many because it is new, at least in name.
estimated. And lobstering information that is collected often must be kept confidential by collecting agencies.
Both BOEM members and advocates for fishermen agreed there needed to be
more outreach to connect with the fishing community during the process. Several
BOEM members said they needed to hear more from the fishing community, but
advocates for fishermen wished BOEM was more aggressive in its outreach. McCarron pointed out that there was no contact information on the BOEM website for
the Maine Task Force members. “We need to figure out how to reach out to those
user groups more and more,” said Ben Martens, policy director for the Maine Coast
(formerly Midcoast) Fishermen’s Association.
But while many worried about the project being on a fast track, at least one wind
power advocate felt the process was being slowed by one-size-fits-all regulations.
Dr. Habib J. Dagher, an UMaine professor of civil and structural engineering, said
that at a recent conference he attended on offshore wind energy, a presentation emphasized that the U.S.
lagged badly behind
other
industrialized
nations in offshore
wind power development. While other nations were generating
thousands of mega.75 mm Heavy Duty PVC/Cotton
watts of wind energy
Construction
offshore, the U.S. had
Neoprene inner “Storm Cuff” for added
failed to generate one
comfort and protection
megawatt,
Dagher
said. Part of that delay
Double welded seams
was because prototype
Double snap system for extra wind and
projects like this one
rain protection
are being regulated like
Pants have a second 35 mills layer of PVC
proposals for largecoated nylon welded and riveted for extra
wear resistance
BBristol Bay®
scale wind projects, he
said. He wanted differDesigned for Professionals
ent criteria for evaluating prototype projects.
Colors – Orange and Forest Green
“Unless we put
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something in the water
(Registered businesses only, limit one per business)
and see what happens,
we’re never going to
Available at Professional Marine Suppliers everywhere
know,” Dagher said.
www.VikingWear.com or call (413) 522-7406 for more info
8
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 fishing. They work hard, talk about engines and haulers, and when not fishing, are getting ready to go fish. Yet many if not most lobstermen have
hidden talents. This article continues our series about Maine lobstermen who are not only successful fishermen but singers, poets, performers and artists.
By April Gilmore
was able to buy his first set of
traps. He then set out to follow
d Hutchins comes from a long line of fishermen in Cape Porpoise. His family
the family tradition, fishing for
roots date back to the 1760s and he grew up on the same street where he lives
lobster.
today with his wife and daughter. Ed was first drawn to building boats as a young
The first 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 fishing schooner nestled in a cradle. Carved from a
pier in 1937. Reportedly the racblock of wood, “it was built by my great-grandfather Victor E. Hutchins in 1916.
es came about as a friendly comHe worked as a groundfisherman on the big fishing schooners during the turn of
petition among local fishermen
the last century,” explained Hutchins. As a boy Hutchins was told that his greatwho 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 fishermen’s
Growing up, Hutchins fished 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
fishing schooner.
organizing the next generation
“I didn’t really know how to make a model, and couldn’t find any books about
of pond boat races at the Cape
it so I just figured 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, esEd Hutchins and one of his model fishing vessels.
Hutchins gave him a
pecially by the older generation of
April Gilmore photo.
price, and, encourfishermen who remembered racaged 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 galIn 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 gaffcollectors, 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 flipping 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
speed, you must “row like it’s nobody’s business,” said Hutchins.
Hutchins’ favorite part about building
models is the connection he feels to the genBUYING USED FLOAT ROPE
erations before him. “It’s something I have in
For more information
common with my great-grandfather, a man I
never met. But I feel like I’m having the same
call 207-832-0580
experience that he had and that’s special,” he
or
E
CUSTOM CORDAGE
207-701-1243
Continued on page 19
Become a
member!
Join hundreds of other
Maine lobstermen
as a member of the
state’s oldest fishing
association.
Be seen. Be heard.
Be a MLA member
Garbo depends on the hard work and stewardship of Maine lobstermen.
Thank you !
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Call the MLA at 967-4555,
or visit the web site at www.mainelobstermen.org to find out more.
January 2012
9
Sea lice continued from page 1
ternal surface. Different species of sea lice are known to parasitize halibut, cod,
mackerel, and herring. The salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, is the chief concern of Atlantic salmon farmers in the Gulf of Maine. If left unchecked, sea lice
infestations of farmed salmon increase stress and susceptibility to other diseases and
can cause starvation, reduced growth, and eventually kill the fish.
The University of Maine began working with salmon farmers in 1995 to develop
an integrated pest management (IPM) program to control sea lice. Originally created
for terrestrial farmers, the IPM approach is based on understanding the life cycle of
the pest and its interaction with the environment. IPM programs employ every available prevention measure and use chemical treatments only when necessary.
Maine’s salmon farmers have developed a number of prevention strategies to
maintain healthy populations of fish where sea lice are prevalent. They raise only
one age-class of fish at a time to ensure that lice do not swim from older salmon to
younger ones, and they keep their farms empty, or fallow, after harvest for 30 days
or longer. The salmon are routinely monitored for sea lice and chemical treatments
are only warranted if a certain threshold is reached. Treatments require veterinary
oversight and strict compliance with state and federal laws.
There is no silver bullet in preventing sea lice
outbreaks on Maine’s salmon farms. These pests have
shown that they can adapt to different management
strategies.
Currently, Maine law allows the use of two drugs to control sea lice on farmed
salmon. Hydrogen peroxide has been the treatment of choice in recent years. The
salmon are placed in a well boat or a tarpaulin and immersed in a seawater bath containing the chemical. The concentrated hydrogen peroxide quickly breaks down into
oxygen and water. A second drug, SLICE Emamectin, is administered through the
fish’s feed. Sea lice populations in Maine have developed a resistance to SLICE in
recent years and as a result its usage has dropped off significantly. 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
deaths in New Brunswick, but with a known dosage for salmon treatments and strict
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
Affordable
health insurance for the
“What Ifs”
Insuring
their families for
six years.
Health, Life, Disability,
Medicare, Long Term Care
If you live south of Belfast,
call Gene Piken
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call Rick Williams
If you live in Belfast, just call!
Rick Williams
Prospect Harbor, ME 04669
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effects on sea lice, salmon, and the environment. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) coordinates drug
usage with FDA and has an extensive environmental monitoring program for each
salmon farm as part of its permitting process. Since 1995, no dead or dying lobsters
have been reported in Maine as a result of
sea lice treatments according to Mathew
Young at DEP. Sentinel lobsters have been
placed in cages under the salmon pens during treatments and no treatment residues
have been detected. In addition, extensive
environmental testing has not detected any
treatment residues in the areas surrounding
Chris Bartlett is based in Eastport.
and adjacent to Maine salmon farms.
Annie Tselikis photo.
Researchers continue to look for new sea
lice control methods that have minimal environmental impacts. The University of
Maine has partnered with USDA Agricultural Research Service in Franklin to screen
Atlantic salmon for sea lice resistance. The goal is to find salmon strains that can
mount an immune response so that sea lice cannot readily attach to the fish, a trait
held by some species of Pacific salmon. UMaine is also investigating organic compounds that kill sea lice without causing harmful effects to the environment. Researchers are also studying the use of blue mussels as sea lice traps, to filter the larval
stages of these crustaceans from the water column.
There is no silver bullet in preventing sea lice outbreaks on Maine’s salmon farms.
These pests have shown that they can adapt to different management strategies and
research will continue into new methods that can be used in combination with existing ones. Lobstermen can play an important role by staying informed about sea lice
control measures and by monitoring the health of lobsters in their area.
Chris Bartlett is an Extension Associate with Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension, based in Eastport.
10 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION
ACCOUNTANTS
Williams CPA Group LLC
PO Box 839
Rockport, ME 04856 207-236-8781
AUTOMOTIVE
Harold C Ralph Chevrolet
Steve Ralph
PO Box A
Waldoboro, ME 04572 800-310-5321
[email protected]
Hews Company LLC
190 Rumery St
South Portland, ME 04106
207-767-2136 / 800-234-4397
[email protected]
www.hewsco.com
Island Fishing Gear & Auto Parts
PO Box 292
Stonington, ME 04681
207-367-5959
[email protected]
Morrison Chevrolet/Fisher Plow
Distributor
121 Downeast Highway
Ellsworth, ME 04605 877-523-6118
www.morrisonchevrolet.com
Newcastle Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep
573 Rt. 1
Newcastle, ME 04553
207-563-8138 / 888-944-5337
[email protected]
www.newcastlemotorcars.com
15% off parts and service
Weirs Motor Sales Inc
1513 Portland Rd
Arundel, ME 04046
207-985-3537
[email protected] www.weirsgmc.com
BAIT DEALERS
Alfred Osgood
PO Box 358
Vinalhaven, ME 04863
207-863-2518 [email protected]
Bessy Bait LLC
155 R Batchelder Rd
Seabrook, NH 03874
603-300-2846 / 603-300-2849
[email protected]
www.bessybait.com
Bait Man Co. LLC
Al West
PO Box 69
Cape Porpoise Lobster Co Inc
184 Beachwood Ave
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
207-967-0900
[email protected]
www.capeporpoiselobster.com
Channel Fish Co
370 East Eagle St
East Boston, MA 02128
617-569-3200
[email protected]
DB Rice Fisheries
PO Box 57
Birch Harbor, ME 04613
[email protected]
January 2012
Purse Line Bait
32 Bakers Wharf Rd
Sebasco Estates, ME 04565
207-389-9155
[email protected]
Superior Bait and Salt
Glenn Hall
21 Balsam Lane
Tenants Harbor, ME 04860
207-372-8925
Worcesters Lobster Bait
Bruce Worcester
259 Bowden Point Rd
Prospect, ME 04981 207-469-7585
[email protected]
Pete’s Marine Electronics
101 Washington Rd
Waldoboro, ME 04572 207-350-2500
[email protected]
Midcoast Marine Electronics
532 Main St.
Rockland, ME 04841
207-691-3993 www.midcoastmarine.com
Sawyer & Whitten Marine
416 Commericial St
Portland, ME 04101 207-879-4500
Sawyer & Whitten Marine
118 Tillson Ave
Rockland, ME 04841
207-594-7073 www.sawyerwhitten.com
BOAT BUILDERS/BOAT REPAIR
SW Boatworks
Stewart Workman
358 Douglas Highway
Lamoine, ME 04605
[email protected]
www.swboatworks.com
Wesmac Custom Boats
PO Box 56
Surry, ME 04684 207-667-4822
[email protected] www.wesmac.com
2% discount on fiberglass components
DOCUMENTATION SERVICE
Coastal Documentation
111 Dennision Rd
Spruce Head, ME 04859
207-596-6575
[email protected];
www.coastaldocumentation.com
Northeast Marine Survey, Inc
PO Box 231
Bailey Island, ME 04003
207-833-0954
[email protected]
www.northeastmarinesurvey.us
10% off the commercial rate
EDUCATION AND TRADE SHOWS
Diversified Business Communications
PO Box 7437
Portland, ME 04112 207-842-5500
[email protected]
www.divbusiness.com
Mount Desert Oceanarium
PO Box 696
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
207-288-5005
[email protected]
Free admission to commercial fishermen
and their families
Maine Fishermens Forum
PO Box 288
Bath, ME 04530
Penobscot Marine Museum
5 Church St
Searsport, ME 04974
207-548-2529
Show your MLA card for free entry
Seafood.com News
8 White Pine Lane
Lexington, MA 02421 781-861-1441
[email protected]
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
Lunds FisheriesInc.
997 Ocean Dr.
Cape May, NJ 08204
609-884-7600
[email protected]
www.lundsfish.com
Bell Power Systems Inc.
Bob Tokarczyk
34 Plains Rd
Essex, CT 06426
860-767-7502 / 800-225-8669
www.bellpower.com
O’Hara Corportation
120 Tillson Ave
Rockland, ME 04841
207-594-0405
[email protected]
Chase Leavitt & Co.
72 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04112 207-772-6368
[email protected]
www.chaseleavitt.com
[email protected]
FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT SERVICES
Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co
25 Main St
Damariscotta, ME 04543
207-563-8121
[email protected]
www.damariscottabank.com
Farm Credit of Maine ACA
615 Minot Ave
Auburn, ME 04210
207-784-0193 800-831-4230
[email protected]
www.farmcreditmaine.com
Maine Financial Group
Jim Amabile
15 Pleasant Hill Rd
Scarborough, ME 04074
207-885-5900 800-974-9995
[email protected]
Rockland Savings Bank
Harry Mank
582 Maine Street
Rockland, ME 04841 207-594-8465
www.rocklandsavingsbank.com
The First
PO Box 940
207-563-3195 / 800-564-3195
[email protected]
www.thefirst.com
FISHING, MARINE & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES
All Points Marine
PO Box 543
Narragansett, RI 02882 401-284-4044
[email protected] www.apmco.us
Discounts available to MLA members
Bath Lobster Supply
340 State Rd, Suite B
West Bath, ME 04530
207-386-3225
www.brookstrapmill.com
buoysticks.com
3628 Turner Ridge Rd
Somerville, ME 04348 207-549-7204
[email protected]
www.plantebuoysticks.com
Chase Leavitt & Co.
72 Commercial St.
Portland, ME 04112
207-772-6368
[email protected]
www.chaseleavitt.com
Grundens USA Ltd
PO Box 2068
Poulsbo, WA 98370
360-779-4439 / 800-323-7327
[email protected]
www.grundens.com
Guy Cotten, Inc
782 South Water St
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-997-7075 / 800-444-6050
[email protected]
www.guycottenusa.com
Hamilton Marine
155 E Main St
Searsport, ME 04974
207-548-2985
100 Fore St.
Portland, ME 04101
207-774-1772
20 Park Dr.
Rockland, ME 04841
207-594-8181 / 800-639-2715
[email protected]
www.hamiltonmarine.com
Discounts for MLA members
Island Fishing Gear & Auto Parts
PO Box 292
Stonington, ME 04681 207-367-5959
[email protected]
Jeff ’s Marine, Inc
2 Brooklyn Heights
PO Box 236
Thomaston, ME 04861 207-354-8777
[email protected]
Logtek Inc
Tim Bourque & James Roy (ME sales)
Box 98, RR 2
Tusket, NS BOW 3M0 Canada
207-510-1763 / 888-840-1089
[email protected]
[email protected]
Maine Coast Petroleum, Inc
PO Box 295
Midcoast Marine Supply
153 New County Rd
Thomaston, ME 04861
207-594-0011
[email protected]
www.midcoastmarinesupply.com
Neptune Inc
39 Slater St
Attleboro, MA 02703
508-222-8313 / 800-642-7113
[email protected]
www.neptune-inc.com
Neptune Marine Products Inc
PO Box 2068
Port Townsend, WA 98368
206-789-3790
www.neptunemarineproducts.com
New England Marine & Industrial
Inc.
200 Spaulding Turnpike
Portsmouth, NH 03801
603-436-2836 / 800-492-0779
[email protected]
www.newenglandmarine.com
North Atlantic Power
Sam Profio
15 Continental Dr.
Exeter, NH 03833
10% off all service repairs
Polyform US
7030 S 224th
Kent, WA 98032
253-872-0300
[email protected]
www.polyformus.com
Superior Marine Products Inc
15 Murray Drive
Raymond, ME 04071
207-655-4492
[email protected]
www.superiormarineprod.com
WD Matthews Machinery Co
901 Center Street
Auburn, ME 04210-6456
207-784-9311
[email protected]
www.wdmatthews.com
Vessel Services I
1 Portland Fish P
Portland, ME 04
vesselservices.com,v
Viking Wear
Nat Dillenback
46 S. Prospect S
Miller Falls, MA
413-522-7406
www.vikingwear
HYDRAULICS
Coastal Hydrauli
PO Box 2832
Seabrook, NH 0
603-474-1914
sales@coastalhyd
10% discount on al
Cushing Diesel, L
26 Spear Mill Rd
Cushing, ME 04
354-0600, cell 54
diesedave6312@
Hews Company
190 Rumery St
South Portland, M
207-767-2136 / 8
[email protected]
www.hewsco.com
Lonnie’s Hydrau
227 Middlesex R
Topsham, ME 0
207-725-7552
Marine Hydraulic
17 Gordon Dr
Rockland, ME 0
207-594-9527
marinhyd@midc
INDUSTRY ORGANIZA
Gulf of Maine L
PO Box 523
Kennebunk, ME
207-985-8088 er
Island Fishermen
PO Box 293
Stonington, ME
207-367-5579 ifw
Island Institute
PO Box 648
Rockland, ME 0
207-594-9209 x1
rsnyder@islandin
Maine Import Ex
tion
PO Box 10228
Portland, ME 04
207-775-1612
lobsters@newme
www.mainelobste
Maine Lobster P
2 Union St.
Portland, ME 04
207-541-9310
mlacroix@lobste
www.lobsterfrom
Maine Port Auth
16 State House
Augusta, ME 04
207-624-3560
john.h.henshaw
www.maineport
Maine Sea Grant
5784 York Comp
Orono, ME 044
panderson@mai
www.seagrant.um
Penobscot Bay &
Jeffrey Cockburn
18 Mortland Rd.
Searsport, ME 0
207-548-1077
pilots@penbaypi
January 2012 MAINE LOBSTERMEN’S ASSOCIATION
11
Highliner business members are noted in BOLD.
nc.
Pier
4101 207-772-5718
[email protected]
St.
A 01349
r.com
ics Inc
03874
d.com
ll in stock items.
LLC
d
4563
42-5399
@yahoo.com.
LLC
ME 04106
800-234-4397
om
m
ulic Inc
Rd
04086
c Engineering Co Inc
04841
coast.com
TIONS
Lobster Foundation
E 04043
[email protected]
n’s Wives
04681
[email protected]
04841
42
nstitute.org
xport Dealers Associa-
4104
eadowslobster.com
erdealers.com
Promotion Council
4101
erfrommaine.com
mmaine.com
hority
Station
4333
[email protected]
ts.com
t
plex, Bldg 6
469 207-581-1435
ne.edu
maine.edu
& River Pilots Assn
n
04984
ilots.com
Penobscot East Resource Center
PO Box 27
207-367-2708
[email protected]
www.penobscoteast.org
INSURANCE
Allen Insurance and Financial
Chris Guptill
34-36 Elm St., PO Box 578
Camden, ME 04847
207-263-4311
[email protected]
www.alleninsuranceandfinancial.
com
Atlantic Insurance & Benefits
58 High St
Belfast, ME 04915
207-338-9787 / 800-948-1457
[email protected]
www.atlantic-insurance.com
Chapman & Chapman
PO Box1030
207-563-3143 / 800-370-3143
[email protected]
The Compass Insurance Group
Paul Miner
PO Box 880
Waldoboro, ME 04572 207-790-2300
[email protected]
www.lobsterboatinsurance.com
InSphere Insurance Solutions
Rick Williams
PO Box 74
207-963-4111
[email protected]
Smithwick & Mariners Insurance
366 US Route One
Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-5553 800-370-1883
[email protected]
Discounted vessel insurance for MLA
members. Additional 5% discount if Coast
Guard-approved Fishing Vessel Drill Conductor course completed within 5 years.
LEGAL SERVICES
Doyle & Nelson
150 Capitol St
Augusta, ME 04330 207-622-6124
[email protected]
www.doylenelson.com
Howard and Bowie
Clayton Howard
PO Box 460
207-563-3112
Nicholas H Walsh PA
111 Commerical St
Portland, ME 04101
www.nicholas-walsh.com
25% off hourly, flat fee to MLA members
LOBSTER/SEAFOOD/WHOLESALE/RETAIL
Atlantic Edge Lobster
71 Atlantic Ave
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Atwood Lobster Co
PO Box 202 Island Rd
Spruce Head, ME 04859
207-596-6691 www.atwoodlobster.com
Bayleys Lobster Pound
PO Box 304
207-883-4571
[email protected] www.bayleys.com
Beals Jonesport Coop Inc.
PO Box 195
Jonesport, ME 04649
207-479-2020
[email protected]
BBS Lobster Trap
188 Pettegrow Point Rd
Machiastport, ME 04655
Calendar Islands Maine Lobster LLC
6A Portland Fish Pier
Portland, ME 04101
207-541-9140
[email protected]
www.calendarislandsmainelobster.com
Canobie Seafoods, Inc
1077 Bar Harbor Rd
Trenton, ME 04605
207-667-2250
[email protected]
Cape Porpoise Lobster Co Inc
184 Beachwood Ave
207-967-0900
[email protected]
www.capeporpoiselobster.com
Captain Dutch Lobster Co.
PO Box 393
South Thomaston, ME 04858
207-596-7655
[email protected]
Chrisanda Corp.
9 Ferry Rd
Lewiston, ME 04240
800-448-7663
[email protected]
Conary Cove Lobster Co Inc
83 Conary Cove Rd
Deer Isle, ME 04627
207-348-6185
Cooks Lobster House
PO Box 12
207-833-6641
[email protected]
www.cookslobster.com
Corea Lobster Cooperative
PO Box 99
Corea, ME 04624
207-963-7936
[email protected]
Cozy Harbor Seafood Inc
PO Box 389
Portland, ME 04112
207-879-2665
[email protected]
www.cozyharbor.com
Craig’s All Natural
25 Winecellar Rd.
Durham, NH 03824
603-397-5331
[email protected]
Cranberry Isles Fishermens Coop
PO Box 258
Islesford, ME 04646
207-244-5438
Erins Pride Seafood Corp
124-11 Newport Ave
Rockaway Park, NY 11694
917-468-1295
[email protected]
F W Thurston Co Inc
PO Box 178
Bernard, ME 04612
207-244-3320
Finest Kind Scenic Cruises
PO Box 1828
Ogunquit, ME 03907
[email protected]
www.finestkindcruises.com
Fishermen’s Heritage Lobster Coop
PO Box 359
Friendship, ME 04547
207-832-6378
Friendship Lobster Coop
PO Box 307
Friendship ME 04547
207-832-4435
Garbo Lobster
PO Box 334
Hancock, ME 04640
207-422-3217
[email protected]
Georgetown Fishermen’s Coop
89 Moores Tpke
Georgetown, ME 04548
Glens Lobster Co
12 Abner Point Rd
207-833-6138
[email protected]
Graffam Brothers Seafood Market
PO Box 340
Rockport, ME 04856 207-236-8391
[email protected]
www.lobsterstogo.com
Hannaford Brothers
145 Pleasant Hill Rd.
207-833-2911
[email protected]
Holden Seafood Corporation
93 E 7th Street
New York, NY 10009 212-387-8487
[email protected]
www.lukeslobster.com
HR Beal & Sons Inc
182 Clark Point Rd
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
207-244-3202
[email protected]
www.bealslobster.com
Interstate Lobster Inc
PO Box 269
Harpswell, ME 04079 207-833-5516
Island Seafood, LLC
32 Brook Rd
Eliot, ME 03903
‘Keag Store
4 Elm St, PO Box 76
207-596-6957
Kent’s Wharf
31 Steamboat Hill
Swans Island, ME 04685
Kips Seafood Co
117 River Rd
Cushing, ME 04563
207-354-8997
Lake Pemaquid Inc
PO Box 967
207-563-5202
[email protected]
www.lakepemaquid.com
Linda Bean’s Maine Lobster
PO Box 368
Rockland, ME 04841 207-975-2502
[email protected]
www.LindaBeansMaineLobster.com
Little Bay Lobster Inc
158 Shattuck Way
Newington, NH 03801
603-431-3170
[email protected]
www.littlebaylobster.com
Lobster Products Inc
64 Tidal Falls Rd
Hancock, ME 04640
207-422-6238
[email protected]
Millers Wharf Lobster LLC
PO Box 486
207-372-8637
Muscongus Bay Lobster
28 Landing Rd
Round Pound, ME 04564
207-529-2251
[email protected]
www.mainefreshlobster.com
New Harbor Co-op
Linda Vannah
PO Box 125
New Harbor, ME 04554
Pemaquid Fishermen’s Coop
PO Box 152
New Harbor, ME 04554
Port Clyde Fishermen’s Coop
PO Box 103
Port Clyde, ME 04855
207-372-8922
Port Lobster Co Inc
PO Box 729
207-967-2081
[email protected]
www.portlobster.com
Portland Shellfish Co, Inc
92 Waldron Way
Portland, ME 04103
207-767-1625
[email protected]
www.pshellfish.com
Post Brothers Inc
PO Box 541
Rockland, ME 04841
207-594-5824
Quahog Lobster Inc
5 Lobster Lane
Harpswell, ME 04079
207-725-6222
[email protected]
Ready Seafood
Hobson’s Wharf
Portland, ME 04112
207-541-3672
[email protected]
www.readyseafood.com
Seafood Contract Brokers, LLC
30 Western Ave, Suite 206
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-515-7683
[email protected]
www.seafoodrisk.com
Seaview Lobster Co
PO Box 291
Kittery, ME 03904
207-439-1599
[email protected]
www.seaviewlobster.com
Sea Hag Seafood
48 Wallston Rd.
Shengfei Trading Co.
Anson Chen
11974 Lebanon Rd, Suite 124
Cincinnati, OH 45241
718-313-8294
[email protected]
www.yimail68.com
January 2012
207-439-0920
www.weathervaneseafoods.com
Shucks Maine Lobster
150 Main St, Suite 4
Richmond, ME 04357
207-737-4800
[email protected]
www.shucksMaine.com
Winter Harbor Fishermen’s Coop
23 Pedleton Rd.
Winter Harbor, ME 04693 207-963-5857
[email protected]
MARINE ENGINES
Spruce Head Fishermen’s Coop
275 Island Rd
207-594-7980
All Points Marine
PO Box 543
Narragansett, RI 02882 401-284-4044
[email protected] www.apmco.us
Discounts available to MLA members
Stonington Lobster Coop
PO Box 87
207-367-2286
[email protected]
Bell Power
34 Plains Rd.
Essex, CT 06426.
860-767-7502/800-255-8669
[email protected]
Swans Island Fishermens Coop
PO Box 116
Swans Island, ME 04685
Vinalhaven Fishermens Coop
11 Main St, Box 366
Vinalhaven, ME 04863 207-863-2263
[email protected]
Weathervane Seafoods Inc
31 Badgers Island West
Kittery, ME 03904
Milton Cat
PO Box 960
Scarborough, ME 04070 207-833-9586
[email protected]
North Atlantic Power
Sam Profio
15 Continental Drive
Exeter, NH 03833 603-418-0470
[email protected]
www.northatlanticpower.
com
Northern Lights/Lugger
8 Connector Rd
Andover, MA 01810
978-475-7400 / 800-7620166
[email protected]
www.northern-lights.com
now in our new shop at 137
Pleasant Hill Rd, Scarborough
- Kits, Cages, Complete Traps
- Rolls of Wire in Stock
- Distributor of Fitec Twine
-100’s of trap kits in stock.
Call for availability and colors
-Traps built the way YOU want
- Aquamesh & Cavatorta Wire
www.searosetrap.com
NEWSPAPERS
Commercial Fisheries
News
PO Box 600
Deer Isle, ME 04627
207-348-1057/800-9895253
[email protected]
Discounted annual subscription
Fishermen’s Voice
PO Box 253
Gouldsboro, ME 04607
207-963-7195
National Fisherman
121 Free St.
Portland, ME 04112
Discounted annual subscription
PROPELLERS
Accutech Marine Propeller Inc.
24 Crosby Rd Unit 6
Dover, NH 03820
603-617-3626
[email protected]
www.accutechmarine.com
Nautilus Marine Fabrication, Inc.
13 Industrial Way
Trenton, ME 04605 207-667-1119
[email protected]
New England Propeller Inc.
9 Apollo Eleven Rd
Plymouth, MA 02360 508-747-6666
[email protected], www.neprop.com
REAL ESTATE
Megunticook Real Estate
Ed Glover
19 Birds Loop Rd
Owls Head, ME 04854 207-504-7606
[email protected]
www.coastalmainere.com
REFRIGERATION SERVICES
Applied Refrigeration Services
7C Commons Avenue
Windham, Maine 04062 207-893-0145
[email protected];
www.appliedrefrigeration.com
$250 off new installations
RESTAURANTS
Barnacle Billys Inc
PO Box 837
Ogunquit, ME 03907 207-646-5575
[email protected] www.barnbilly.com
Bowdoin College Dining Services
3700 College Station
Brunswick, ME 04011
Cod End, LLC
Susan Miller
PO Box 224
207-372-6782
[email protected] www.codend.com
10% off Cook House and Market
Newick’s Hospitality Group, Inc
431 Dover Point Rd
Dover, NH 03820
603-742-3205 www.newicks.com
Phil’s Lobster Roll Shop
Shelly McLellan
PO Box 578
Boothbay, ME 04532
The Clam Shack
Steve Kingston
PO Box 6200
207-967-3321
[email protected]
www.theclamshack.net
SAFETY TRAINING
McMillan Offshore Survival Training
PO Box 411
Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-1603
[email protected]
www.mcmillanoffshore.com
SALT
Maine Salt Company
677 Coldbrook Rd
Hermon, ME 04401 207-848-3796
[email protected] www.mainesalt.com
Superior Bait and Salt
Glenn Hall
21 Balsam Lane
207-372-8925
TRAP BUILDERS STOCK & SUPPLIES
Branch Brook Farm
Ralph Dean
26 Sawmill Lane
Thomaston, ME 04861
Brooks Trap Mill
211 Beechwood St
Thomaston, ME 04861
207-354-8763
[email protected]
Eaton Trap Co Inc
12 Birchwood Rd
Woolwich, ME 04579
Friendship Trap Company
570 Cushing Rd
Friendship, ME 04547
207-354-2545 800-451-1200
[email protected]
www.friendshiptrap.com
Discounts from 5 -10% for MLA members.
Portland Trap
26-28 Union Wharf
Portland, ME 04101
800-244-8727
[email protected]
www.brookstrapmill.com
Sea Rose Trap Co
137 Pleasant Hill Rd.
www.searosetrap.com
TRUCK REPAIR/LEASING
120 Tillson Avenue
Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: (207) 594-4444
Fax: (207) 594-0407
Marine Radio VHF
Channel 9 and 18
Journey’s End offers a complete array of marine services at our secure, clean
and professionally maintained facility. Gas and diesel, slip and mooring rentals,
minor and major repairs -- and the best boat transport services in Maine.
We’re builders of Mitchell Cove
We’re a proud Caterpillar, Cummins, Iveco and Yanmar marine diesel dealer.
rine coating
!"
#
Need something? Just ask.
$%
Cushing Diesel, LLC
26 Spear Mill Rd
Cushing, ME 04563
354-0600, (c) 542-5399
[email protected].
Howling Hill Transportation
PO Box 20
Bucksport, ME 04416
207-460-0134 [email protected].
Wa2much Trucking
Greg Holmes
PO Box 354
Tenants Harbor, ME 04860 542-9606
[email protected]
13
Lobster traps: What they mean to Maine’s economy
By Mary Lyons, researched by Mary Lyons and Annie Tselikis
I
and sold by two large companies: Friendship Trap, founded in 1977, and Brooks
Trap Mill, founded in 1946.
Brooks Trap Mill was started by the grandfather of the three siblings who own it
now — Mark Brooks, Julie (Brooks) Russo, and Stephen Brooks. Their mother still
works in the office: “It’s great — we get to see her every day, and it helps to keep us
close,” said Stephen.
How many lobster traps are produced by each company is difficult to estimate
as each sells other trap products. Brooks sells shrimp, eel, whelk, and crab traps
in addition to lobster traps, and produces mesh cages for oyster growing. Both
companies also do trade-ins, sell used traps, and trap kits for lobstermen who want
to build their own traps. Given those complications, Stephen Brooks estimates his
company sells 30,000-50,000 lobster traps on average annually. Mike Wadsworth
at Friendship Trap cites an average of 60,000 traps sold annually. But when the
industry takes a dip, so do trap sales.
Some lobstermen like to build their own traps, or at least a portion of them. According to Chris Betts, who works at New England Marine & Industrial in Stonington, the store has about 30 customers who
build their own traps using supplies from
New England Marine. According to Betts,
it saves a lobsterman between $20-30 per
trap to build his own.
Friendship Trap employs about 54 people year-round, eight of whom are in the
company’s Jonesboro location. Brooks Trap
Mill employees vary from 50 to 70 depending on the time of year and the state of the
fishery. The company has three locations in
Maine: Brooks Trap Mill in Thomaston,
Portland Trap, and Bath Lobster Supply.
Looking at the economic benefits of the
trap industry and its contributions to the
Maine economy, it’s likely that the only
Mainer not benefitting in some respect is
one of the state’s most famous residents —
the tasty, and trapped, Maine lobster.
n the quest to capture the great-clawed crustacean known as the Maine lobster,
few things are more essential than traps.
Whether it’s a little shop, big company, or a do-it-yourself builder, lobster traps
contribute to the Maine economy in numerous ways. In a December, 2011 article
in UMaine Today, the Lobster Institute said that “the estimated overall economic
impact of the lobster fishery on the Maine economy is between $816 million and
$1.36 billion annually.” Where does the trap industry fit in that picture? According
to Kevin Athearn, associate professor of environmental and community economics
at the University of Maine at Machias, the U.S. Census Key Statistics recorded 17
lobster trap building establishments in the state of Maine in 2007, with an annual
sales value of $23,577,000, an annual payroll of $5,815,000, and 208 paid employees.
Marty Eaton of Eaton Trap Company in Woolwich thinks the lobster trap is the
foundation of the state’s thriving lobster industry. “The trap, probably after the boat
and the motor, is the next biggest investment. One thing I tell all the young guys that
come up here to buy traps, the trap is what will make them the money. The boat does
not get the lobster, it gets them to the trap.
They need a safe boat, not the biggest boat,
and if they invest in traps, the traps eventually will buy them the boat that they want.”
Eaton says that his company “does not
build just a trap, but a lobster trap that is
nice enough to put a piece of smoked glass
on it and put in your living room.” Once
you’ve got the one for the living room, he
adds, you can put the rest in the water. “A
new trap will outfish an old trap,” says Eaton. “It’s tighter and cleaner.”
Of course, small trap shops can’t supply
all the traps needed in Maine, since there are
an estimated three million in the water, all
taking a regular beating from tides, rough
bottom, hauling, and all the other forces
of man and nature. The majority of those
three million traps, and the thousands needed each year to replace them, are produced
Coils of trap wire sit in storage at Brooks Trap Mill. Photo by Annie Tselikis.
MLA Members
Discount Directory
MLA Members! Present your MLA membership card at the
following business and receive generous discounts!
All Points Marine
National Fisherman
Naragansett, RI -- discounts
available for MLA members
Discount on annual subscription
Accutech Marine Propeller
Newcastle, ME -- 15% off all
parts and service, not to be
combined with other offers
Dover, NH -- 20% off propeller
repair; discounts for new
propellers, shafting and hardware
Applied Refrigeration Services
Newcastle Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep
Northeast Marine Survey
Windham, ME -- $250 off new
installations
Harpswell, ME -- 10% off
commercial rate
Coastal Hydraulics
Penobscot Marine Museum
Seabrook, NH -- 10% discount
on all in stock itemss
Searsport, ME -- Free admission
for MLA members
Commercial Fisheries News
Smithwick & Mariners Insurance
Falmouth, ME -- Discounted
vessel insurance; additional 5%
Friendship Trap Company
with proof of completion of FishFriendship, ME -- Discounts of
5% to 10% depending on product ing Vessel Drill Conductor course
within 5 years.
Hamilton Marine
Portland / Rockland / Searsport -- Wesmac Custom Boats
Surry, ME -- 2% discount of
Discounts vary by product
Mount Desert Oceanarium
Southwest Harbor, ME -- Free
admission for commercial
Discount on annual subscription
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
protect them. New whale rules to reduce the risk of entangling endangered whales in vertical lines
will go into effect in 2014. In late November, Heather Tetreault visited the Coastal Studies for
Girls campus in Freeport to talk with the students about MLA’s efforts to work with lobstermen
on changing whale rules and regulations.
By Sarah Paquette
G
etting high school students excited about science isn’t always an easy task. But
when Heather Tetreault, Whale Projects Coordinator at Maine Lobstermen’s
Association, gave a presentation about North Atlantic right whales, the Maine lobster industry and the MLA’s interactions with scientific and fishing communities, she
had no problem keeping her audience engaged.
The Coastal Studies for Girls program, a residential science and leadership semester for girls in tenth grade, is the only one of its kind in the country. This semester fifteen girls with a passion for science are taking part in the program. As Tetreault
spoke about lobstering and right whales, the girls took notes and asked questions, a
lot of questions.
“How hard is it to get a lobster license?” one girl asked after learning that Maine
issues more than 5,300 commercial lobster licenses. Tetreault talked about the apprentice program that people must complete before getting a license. The girls initially 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 fishing gear. The students asked about the cause of death for some of those whales.
Between November, 2010 and November, 2011, there were twelve fisheries-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 document when, where and how they fish. The students wondered how willing lobstermen 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
are just numbers, but through the GIS, those numbers can be used as layers for a
map. “GIS is a very useful tool in science,” she said, encouraging the girls to learn
about GIS and to explore the many ways it can transform data into comprehensive
maps.
Toward the end of her talk, Tetreault mentioned possible ways to decrease the
amount of rope in the water column in order to protect right whales. She talked
about maximizing the number of traps per endline, minimizing the length of floating groundline between traps and minimizing the use of knots and coils on vertical
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
had recently learned about from Laura Ludwig of the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation.
The students were fascinated by the idea of ropeless lobster fishing, a concept
proposed by some scientists. Tetreault cautioned that it would be nearly impossible
for commercial lobstermen to fish without rope. The room was soon full of other
ideas as the girls wondered if some sort of electronic device could activate a buoy to
inflate and pop to the surface with a rope attached to the trap or if a magnet could be
used. Tetreault reminded the students that any changes to gear need to be done with
the lobstermen in mind. “Lobstering is a huge industry in Maine and very important
to the state’s economy,” she said. “We want to find a way to reduce whale entanglements that allows people to continue to fish.”
MLA staff members Heather Tetreault (in striped shirt) and Sarah Paquette (second from left)with
students from the Coastal Studies for Girls Fall 2011 semester.
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.
Membership has
its benefits!
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Maine Lobstermen’s
Association members
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15
Meeting Roundup
Maine Lobster Promotion Council
Zone Councils
At the November 29 MLPC meeting board chairman Emily Lane welcomed several new board members: Jim Dow as the downeast harvester, Peter Miller as the midcoast harvester, John Petersdorf as the
midcoast dealer, and Patrice McCarron as the public
member from western Maine. Dane Somers expressed
his gratitude that the MLPC has filled all seats on the
board.
Somers updated the Board on several past and
planned activities. The MLPC plans to significantly expand its presence at the March 2012 Boston Seafood
Show. They have secured a much larger booth space
and are inviting Maine vendors who have not participated in Boston to exhibit at the booth. MLPC will
have food samples prepared by chefs available in the
booth and plan to host additional events including a reception and chef contest. Maine companies will be invited to showcase their product offerings in the booth.
The MLPC Board has a subcommittee to assist staff in
finalizing plans and the budget for this event.
MLPC continues to support the National Seafood
Marketing Coalition effort to seek Congressional funds
for seafood marketing. MLPC staff met with Commissioner Keliher to discuss the council’s concerns over a
lack of monitoring for PSP in lobster tomalley, citing
concerns that this could become a major public health
issue for the industry. The MLPC reports another
successful Fall Harvest campaign, which included the
Maine Lobster Chef of the Year event in Portland,
promotions in Hannaford and Shaws supermarkets
and pilot holiday promotions in the mid-west. MLPC
will be meeting with the new owners of the Hannaford
chain supermarkets to discuss expanding promotions
to their Sweet Bay and Bloom chains.
A number of Maine dealers, including Cozy Harbor
Seafood, The Lobster Company, Little Bay Lobster,
Calendar Islands, Shucks Maine Lobster and Mazetta, attended international trade shows in Hong Kong
and/or Qingdao, with a few companies attending both.
Food Export USA conducted a trade mission to Beijing
following these trade shows. The Maine International
Trade Center has potential to support Maine companies to attend the Brussels European Seafood Expo.
MLPC has added a new Chinese section to its website.
Dane Somers expressed concern over the legislation pending from last session to make changes to the
MLPC. Commissioner Keliher stated that the Governor would like to see Maine establish a seafood marketing council, however, the Commissioner stated that is
likely too ambitious at this point in time. He also commented that the goal of bringing more professional
expertise to the MLPC Board through the proposed
legislation makes a lot of sense.
MLPC staff will participate in the Lobster Town
Meeting in Portland and Maine Fishermen’s Forum in
Rockland in March as part of their outreach to the lobster industry. Somers presented a proposal for discussion to raise additional marketing revenues through a
1% assessment on the landed value of the harvest, collected from dealers at the first handler level. Jim Dow
expressed concern that this would ultimately come directly out of harvesters pockets.
The Board discussed the strategic role of the
MLPC. Somers explained that the MLPC’s role is
to promote the product and the industry, not to execute sales. There are many issues including lack of
coordination amongst dealers, mistrust between harvesters and dealers, issues with processing such that
demand is ingredients based and does not use the
whole lobster and lack of traceability in the industry.
The Board requested a simplified overview of the
MLPC’s marketing plan and a summary of MLPC’s
past marketing efforts for discussion at the next meeting, which will be scheduled in January.
The overall focus of the most recent round of Zone
Council meetings was providing feedback to DMR on
legislation passed during the last session directing the
Commissioner of Marine Resources to contract for an
independent analysis of the lobster license limited entry system. Acting Commissioner Pat Keliher attended
all seven meetings to hear from industry. Deirdre Gilbert provided the councils with updates on legislative
activity, noting that in the upcoming second session of
the 125th Legislature there will be only four Department bills related to marine resources. One bill will establish a list of alternative freshwater baits permissible
for use in the Maine lobster fishery and will create a list
of marine species that will be prohibited for use by lobstermen. Another will establish a hard line trap limit of
400 traps for the Monhegan Island zone. The existing
law states that the island can fish up to 475 traps with
the limit set at the discretion of the Commissioner,
currently set at 300 traps. The bill will also remove the
statute for the Monhegan-specific apprentice program.
As of November 9, 2011, a new law was implementing limiting trawls to four traps in a discrete area
from Beals Island to Libby Island within Zone A. Zone
B held a discussion on lobster trap construction. Laura
Ludwig attended the Zone G meeting to give a derelict
gear update. The council requested Marine Patrol presence to discuss MPO staffing issues and the Southern
Maine Lobstermen’s Association declared Dave Testaverde their Officer of the Year. Zone D established a
subcommittee to work on their referendum regarding
closed periods.
Zone E requested patrol to be present to discuss
v-notching and claridy the definition of v-notch. Carl
Wilson was also present to address the council’s question regarding the biological impact of lobsters on bottom. Wilson explained that
the v-notching system has
contributed to the current
volume and status of the
fishery.
MLA Board
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association Board of
Directors met on December 13, 2011 for what was
largely an executive session
to discuss various budget
items.
Patrice McCarron gave
an update on the Stat Oil
offshore wind pilot project proposed for a site off
of the coast of Boothbay
Harbor. She explained that
there is still an opportunity
to engage in the process but
that it would require key
participants from diverse
fishing interests to convene
and discuss the pro’s and
con’s, or alternatives to the
current site. When members
of the board questioned the
size of the test site, she explained that there are only
four turbines planned for
this pilot commercial project, but that the project
could be expanded significanlty at a future date. See
article on page 1 to learn
more about StatOil.
After a short discussion,
the Board reaffirmed its endorsement of Pat Keliher for appointment as Commissioner of DMR. The
Board directed David Cousens to call the Governor’s
office to inform them once again of MLA’s positino,
and for Patrice to send a letter of support for Pat Keliher to members of the Marine Resources Committee,
the Governor’s office and Maine delegation and local
media, if warranted.
ASMFC Northern Shrimp Section
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s
Northern Shrimp Section revised the three landing days
for the upcoming trawl season to Monday, Wednesday
and Friday. The action, taken during a November 30
conference call, was based on industry input that product would be easier to sell in local markets if landing
days were spread throughout the week.
Given this change, the 2011/2012 fishing season
specifications are a total allowable catch (TAC) of
2,000 mt, with the season closing when landings are
projected to reach 95 percent of the TAC (1,900 mt).
The trawl season will start January 2, 2012 with three
landing days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Vessels may only land once a day. The trap season will start
February 1, 2012 with a 1,000 pound landing limit per
vessel per day.
The Section will meet on January 19 to assess
where total landings are relative to the TAC. If necessary, the Section may adjust the closing date or
modify management options (e.g., trip limit, days
out) at the meeting in order to prevent an overage
of the TAC. The Section also charged its Technical Committee with reviewing an independent analysis that explores an alternative assessment modeling
scenario. The Technical Committee’s findings will be
presented to the Section at its January 19 meeting.
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 Atlantic. After three hours the first whale spout was sighted, appearing as a spray on the
horizon. We set off at 16 knots in pursuit. Most vessels are prohibited from pursuing 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 previously 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 finger print.
Each whale has its own callosity pattern which develops in the first 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 sighters, 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 feature of a right whale is its V-shaped spout, a shape created only by right whales
produce. After sighting a fluke 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 researchers 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 first 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 conditions like this if we hadn’t had multiple people looking for whales you would never
have seen it,” he said.
By mid-afternoon, the boat turned toward Cashes Ledge. The winter wind picked
up and cut through our layers of clothes. At Cashes Ledge we quickly spotted the
first surface active group (SAG), with two to four spouts coming from one area.
A SAG occurs when two or more right whales are in an area together and typically are touching. There is usually one female in a SAG, vocalizing to attract males.
Sightings of right whales began coming from all sides of the boat “Two o’clock
off of the bow, half a mile off!” a volunteer yelled. The boat entered a large group
Right whales come together in a surface action group (SAG). Moira Brown photo.
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Cushing lobsterman Mike Myrick (right) works with researcher Zack Klyver of FLUKES Inc, an international whale watch tour company. Heather Tetreault photo.
of whales which surrounded us in all directions up to three miles away. “This is
the jackpot of the day!” a happy volunteer said. The team focused on identifying multiple smaller clusters of whales. Despite the freezing cold wind, the people
aboard reveled in the next hour of sightings. The quickly fading daylight meant that
we were unable to pursue all the whale clusters. As the sun went down the boat
turned away from the last two visible whales to head back to harbor, 81 miles away.
This was the first time that Ingalls or Myrick had ever seen a right whale. The scientists were surprised that they had never encountered one before, but the two lobstermen explained that they never fish this far offshore. “The fact that fishermen 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 fishes should have the opportunity to see these whales and the process of identifying them,” Myrick said. Zack Klyver echoed Myrick’s sentiments. “I
think it is incredibly important for the Maine fishermen 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.
So you want to know:
Why do we v-notch lobsters?
By Kathleen Reardon
S
ince the mid-1980s,
Maine
landings
have exploded from an
annual average catch of
20 million pounds to
the 95 million pounds
landed in 2010. With
such high landings, the
practice of v-notching
has become very important to scientists as
one means to explain
the continued high
lobster population in
the Gulf of Maine. A
longstanding and accepted practice of the
Maine lobster fishery,
v-notching is a cornerstone of conservation
and management.
V-notching is one of
V-notched, berried female lobster. Photo by Kathleen Reardon.
the few mechanisms that
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.
From its start in 1917 as a state-based purchase program of egg-bearing females, vnotch 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
management actions, such as changes to the gauge and trap limits, after the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) assessment model deemed
that lobsters were overfished. 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 definition. Over time, the v-notch practice as a conservation measure has
gained more credit within the ASMFC lobster assessment process.
Yet on the water, fishermen often complain about the large number of v-notched
lobsters they haul. We know from research conducted by Maine DMR that a number
of smaller lobsters thrown back because of v-notches or mutilations likely have never 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
harvested is natural mutilations. In other words, v-notching allows more females to
grow larger and reproduce.
Surveys carried out by the MLA and Maine DMR give added weight to the practice of v-notching. Since 1982, MLA members have collected v-notch information
during an annual two-day survey in October. Since 1985, Maine DMR has collected
data on the discarded portion of the commercial catch through an at-sea sampling
program. Although landings have more than quadrupled since the early 1980s, these
two surveys have consistently found that an average of 70% of eggers hauled up in
traps are already notched. This is evidence of high compliance with v-notching thus
the existence of repeat spawners and large egg potential. V-notching permits breeders to pass through the gauntlet of the commercial harvest until they find refuge
beyond maximum size.
V-notching is one of the few mechanisms that puts a
legal lobster back on the bottom.
Some lobstermen express concern over the potential to introduce disease or the
risk of killing a lobster as a result of cutting a v-notch. Research conducted in 1987
found that a new v-notch did not increase the susceptibility to “red tail,” a disease
commonly found in pounds. Deangelis, et al, in 2010 established that mortality is
not significantly increased in notched lobsters.
V-notching has become a major part of the conservation measures in the ASMFC
American lobster management plan. V-notching increases the yield of the fishery by
enhancing recruitment and reduces the biomass available for harvest thus indirectly
reducing fishing mortality. It ensures that there remain a large number of parents in
the lobster stock which likely adds to the sustainability of the population.
Kathleen Reardon is the DMR Lobster Sea Sampling Coordinator
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January 2012
In the News
NERACOOS receives federal funding
Softer Canadian lobsters this season
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently allocated $1.8
million in federal funds to the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean
Observing Systems (NERACOOS) in order to collect data for the benefit of the
fishing and shipping industries. Funding will be distributed to the University of
Maine Physical Oceanography Group; the Gulf of Maine Research Institute; the
University of New Hampshire; the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth; the
University of Rhode Island; the University of Connecticut; and the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Nova Scotia.
Warm water temperatures are being blamed for the comparatively high percentage of soft-shell lobsters this season in Lobster Fishing Areas (LFA) 33 and 34 in
Nova Scotia. Lobster processors in Yarmouth, however, note that graders are seeing
90 percent hardshell product, according to a recent article in CBC News. Processors are concerned that early season reports are affecting the marketability of their
product because of a public perception that the lobsters are sick. According to a
2011 pre-season report conducted in late October by the Atlantic Veterinary College
Lobster Science Center in Prince Edward Island, “only Cape Sable Island Inside and
Outside had over 80% of the sampled lobsters classified as ‘hard shell,’ while the
Moose Harbour sample had less than 50% of the lobsters in hard shell.”
Irving Oil tankers pose worries
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
Portland. Recently, fishermen 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
down the Maine coast. We approached these ships about the concern you raised
and it appears that one of them could have been occasionally going outside the prescribed routing. The ships are all clearly aware of the requested route.” He explained
that circumstances do arise where routes change for safety reasons, but he encouraged the MLA to continue to communicate any issues. If fishermen in the region see
Irving Oil vessels outside of the transit area, they are welcome to contact the MLA
with that information. Email [email protected] or call 207-967-4555.
Portland waterfront businesses told to get
out for ‘safety reasons’
In Portland, several businesses located on the Maine Wharf are facing evictions.
According to a December story published in The Forecaster, Three Sons Lobster &
Fish, Chase Leavitt, and Fresh Atlantic were all given notice by their landlord Great
Maine Wharf LLC claiming that they must vacate for safety purposes. The wharf ’s
owner, Eric Cianchette, is seeking a permit to rebuild the wharf. The eviction comes
just as the City of Portland changed the Waterfront Central Zoning rules to include
non-marine businesses within 150 feet of Commercial Street.
The Eat Local Food Coalition supports Maine’s fishermen and seafood markets
By Monique Coombs
F
ounded in 2004, the Eat Local Foods Coalition (ELFC) is a non-profit network
in Maine that seeks social change at a fundamental level: changing what we eat
and how we make decisions about what we buy. ELFC is a coalition of organizations and individuals interested in creating a shift towards a more locally-based food
system that is economically vibrant, environmentally sustainable, and healthy.
The local market for seafood is important for a number of reasons. It can provide fairer prices for local fishermen, keep money in our own communities, create
jobs, and insulate our region from national and global recessions and sustain both
fish and fishermen.
With the abundance of fish fraud and misinformation regarding the sustainability of fish such as bluefin tuna, it is important for consumers to know their local
fishermen and be able to ask them questions in order to get the right information
regarding fish species, seasons, catch methods, stock abundance, and nutrition. By
supporting local fishermen consumers also protect their fishing communities from
consolidation of the fleets.
Nearly two years ago, ELFC began a project aimed at helping better understand
the challenges and opportunities currently facing our fishermen and farmers, recognizing the parallels between the two lines of work, in order to create greater awareness of solutions that benefit both producer groups. Since then, the By Land and
By Sea project has brought together representatives of more than two dozen food,
farming and fishing organizations to discuss how best to work collaboratively to
support our local food producers, meet infrastructure needs, build consumer support, address policy changes and determine where to focus energy and resources to
create a more sustainable, economically viable and food-secure locally-based food
system.
The Eat Local Food Coalition is sponsoring “By Land and By Sea: Leveraging
Co-ops for Business Success” on January 19. This one-day conference for Maine
fishermen and farmers will focus on the co-operative model of doing business. To
register, visit http://bylandandbysea.eventbrite.com, email info@lobstersonthefly.
org or call 807- 5539.
News & Comment for and by the Fishermen of Maine
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one of the best circulations among the industry’s newspapers, 8,000 copies
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We go where the
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Call April Gilmore,967-4555
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for advertising rates and information.
Events Calendar
January 3
Lobster Advisory Council Meeting, 4
p.m., Hallowell.
January 20
USCG Drill Conductor Course, Belfast.
To register, 233-0787.
January 5
Sea Urchin Zone Council Meeting, 5:30
p.m., Ellsworth Middle School Cafeteria
January 27
Maine Lobster Promotion Council
Board meeting, 1-4 p.m., Hallowell.
January 9-13
Take Reduction Team Meeting, Providence, RI.
Upcoming
January 19
ASMFC Northern Shrimp Section and
Advisory Panel, Portland Marriott, South
Portland. FMI: 703-842-0740.
January 19-22
Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association
Annual Weekend, Hyannnis, MA. FMI:
781-545-6984.
March 1-3
Maine Fishermen’s Forum, Rockport.
FMI: 442-7700.
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fund to benefit immediate family members (son/daughter, or a grandson
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seafood industry, regardless of financial need or academic achievement. Undergraduates attending a two or four year college who are in at least the second year of their program or students who are in at least the second semester
of their Certificate Program will be eligible. Applications will be accepted
through February 25, 2012. Scholarships will be awarded by a random drawing to be held during the 37 th annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum. Please note
that previous winners are not eligible.
D
CLASSIFIEDS
ELECTRIC CLUTCHES
Time to apply yourself!
February 24-25
Fishermen and Scientists Research Society (FSRS), Truro, Nova Scotia. FMI:
902-876-1160.
March 23-24
Canadian/U.S/ Lobstermen’s Town
Meeting, Portland. FMI: 581-1443.
DUAL RAM
QUADRANT ASSEMBLY
• 100% Stainless Steel construction
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OUR NEW GENERATION SUPER BLOCKS
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WORLD’S LARGEST POT HAULER MFG. 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
19
o you qualify? You must be a student in at least your second year (a
sophmore) of your college program to apply. You must have an immediate family member actively participating in Maine’s seafood industry.
hat do you need to apply? Complete the application found at http://
ow.ly/849MB. Provide an official transcript or Registrar’s letter of current standing along with the application.
Hutchins continued from page 8
explains. The worst part about building a model boat is selling it. “You put a winter’s worth of time into it, sometimes a year or more. Then you turn it over and it’s
gone.” Hutchins has donated models to the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust
and other organizations. Many articles have been written about his craftsmanship
in the local papers and in Down East Magazine.
Hutchins invites friends to his shop during the winter to work on their models and “get the stove going, swap lies and what have you.” Noting his desire to
reignite the community around his family’s legacy in building and racing pond
boats, Hutchins explained, “Hopefully when I’m gone people will see my work
and think, ‘I wonder who made that? Why did they make it that way?’”
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!
PORTLAND SHELLFISH CO
Proud Sponsor of the MLA Newsletter
Buying Maine Crabs, Lobster
and Shrimp for over 35 years
Contact Scout at (207) 799-9290 • Email: [email protected] • www.pshellfish.com

January 2012 - Maine Lobstermen`s Association

Transcription

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