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L A N D I N G S
NEWS & VIEWS FROM MAINE'S LOBSTERING COMMUNITY
In January 2013, the MLCA launched Landings, a monthly newspaper which balances
its content amongst science, history, resource sustainability, economic development,
and human interest stories. Through Landings, MLCA educates the public and lobster
industry stakeholders about the unique characteristics of Maine’s lobstering traditions,
its history and heritage, ongoing research to maintain the sustainability of the resource,
and its non-harmful and non-wasteful commercial fishing practices.
Distributing more than 6,500 copies of this 24+page publication free via mail each
month to all of Maine’s commercial lobstermen, state government agency staff, elected
state officials, Congressional delegation, subscribers, marine businesses; and to the
public at various locations around the state including ferry terminals, marine supply
stores and annual educational forums.
Guest Column: Marine Patrol Officers Busy in the Field
Marine Patrol Officers are busy with all the fall activities taking place on the coast. We could not be prouder of our current workforce and the eff orts they have made this past summer given that we had two recent retirements and lost an additional two officers. Recruitment and retention continue to challenge the Bureau, however, we have worked hard to overcome these issues and I believe progress is being made. In early October, three new Marine Patrol Officers were sworn in
Nov 5, 20174 min read
Coastal Outlook: Thoughts from MLCA President Patrice McCarron
Historically, Maine has been known as a natural resources state. Lumbermen went to the North Woods to mark, cut and transport trees, first by river and later by truck, to the state’s many paper and pulp mills. Aroostock farmers tilled sweeping fields of potatoes during the summer then the entire family helped harvest the spuds in the fall. Maine fishermen went to sea to capture the bounty of the Gulf of Maine for themselves and consumers throughout the world. Today Maine’s fi
Nov 4, 20174 min read
Port Clyde Residents Petition Against Maine Aqua Venus Cable
On October 18, a group of Port Clyde residents presented a petition bearing more than 300 signatures to the St. George Board of Selectmen. The petition requested that the town proceed with amending its shoreland zoning ordinance in order to prohibit construction of the infrastructure needed to transmit electricity generated by the Maine Aqua Ventus wind turbines off Monhegan Island on public or private land in Port Clyde. “This is just a petition,” said Evy Blum, one of the f
Nov 3, 20173 min read
Landings, Price Perplex Lobstermen
By any estimate, the 2017 lobster season in Maine has been a weird one. On the one hand, lobster landings appear to be down compared to previous years. With volume down, one would think that the price paid to lobstermen would rise. Instead, the price this year has been lower than in the past. According to reports from many lobstermen, the price is lower than at any time in the past ten years. “This year we’re having is one of the worst we’ve had” in recent memory, David Couse
Nov 2, 20173 min read
Groups Threaten to Sue Over Right Whale Decline
In early October, four environmental groups officially served a 60-day notice to the U.S. Department of Commerce that they plan to sue for violations of Sections 7 and 9 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to the unprecedented number of North Atlantic right whale deaths this summer and the whales’ declining population estimates. The letter from the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Humane Society of the United States and Whale and Dolphin Conservatio
Nov 1, 20174 min read
The York Lobstermen's Association: Small but dedicated!
The York Lobstermen’s Association is a congenial group of lobstermen. Started in the late 1980s by lobsterman Pat White, the Association is currently headed by White’s son, Jeff. “I’m the go-to person that newspapers call when they want to know what’s going on down here,” he laughed. The Association is best known for its yearly clean-up day when members search the area’s beaches and coves to round up broken traps, buoys and other gear. “Then we have a cook-out,” White said.
Oct 21, 20172 min read
North Haven Lobsterman Tries Kelp Farming For Winter Income
Karen Cooper exudes cheerfulness. Most people might be a bit daunted by the prospect of farming sugar kelp during the cold winter months, but the fifty-year-old North Haven lobsterman speaks enthusiastically about her new business venture.“I started lobstering about 23, 24 years ago,” she recalled. “My grandfather had a sort of lobster pound and bought lobsters on North Haven. I saw a lot of money being made and thought, ‘Why not?’” Cooper is the daughter of Foy Brown, the fo
Oct 15, 20174 min read
People of the Coast: Skip Connell of Spruce Head
“That’s why I go fishing. How else can I ride around in boats all day?”Gordon “Skip” Connell, 59, is a soft-spoken man most of the time. But when he starts talking about boats, the sound of his voice gradually intensifies. The Spruce Head lobsterman has sailed or fished on so many different vessels it’s impossible to name them all. His competence as a seaman and sailor is well-known among fishermen in the mid-coast area. And it all started when he was just a kid, sailing a 43
Oct 7, 20174 min read
Maine Fishermen's Forum Scholarship Lifts "A Huge Burden" From Students' Shoulders
The Maine Fishermen’s Forum has awarded a total of $385,886 in scholarships since 1998 to students related to a person who is actively involved in the seafood industry. The awards given each year are based on the amount of money donated and raised through the annual Fishermen’s Forum Scholarship Auction. Landings introduces you to some of the award recipients throughout the year. Catherine McDonald is 20 years old and the daughter of Joe and Belinda McDonald of Jonesport. Her
Oct 5, 20173 min read
Maine Fishermen’s Forum scholarship recipients choose diverse paths
First published in Landings, September, 2017 The Maine Fishermen’s Forum has awarded a total of $385,886 in scholarships since 1998 to students related to a person who is actively involved in the seafood industry. The awards given each year are based on the amount of money donated and raised through the annual Fishermen’s Forum Scholarship Auction. Landings introduces you to some of the award recipients throughout the year. Emmanuel “Manny” Aretakis, 22, was born and raised o
Sep 11, 20175 min read
Smoked lobster may put Vinalhaven on gourmet map
First published in Landings, September, 2017 Smoked sardines, sure. Smoked alewives, why not? Smoked mussels, yum. And now, smoked lobster. Robert Young and his wife Kristie of Vinalhaven are busily smoking lobsters caught by Robert for sale to customers throughout the U.S. Young says smoked lobster has always been common on the island. His version can be found at two farmer’s markets in the mid-coast and is available on-line. “I had a friend who smoked lobster. I tried it an
Sep 4, 20172 min read
Stonington Lobsterman Honored for Eighty Years on the Water
First published in Island Ad-vantages, reprinted with permission Special recognition is awarded to Andrew “Andy” Gove for 80 years of selfless acts of bravery, life-saving and continued support of Marine Patrol.For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Rustin Ames. I’ve been a Marine Patrol officer in Stonington for 12 years and I’m very honored to have the opportunity to speak to you here today, on behalf of my department. Believe it or not, some people say that Stoning
Aug 17, 20172 min read
Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Health Insurance? It's Time to Review Your Plan
As the open enrollment period for Affordable Care Act health insurance approaches, it’s time to begin thinking about your health care needs for next year. You will need to renew your existing policy or make changes soon; the enrollment period this year (November 1 to December 15) will be even shorter than last year. The best indicator of what to choose for yourself and your family is how you used the plan this year. Create a checklist of questions particular to you and your f
Aug 15, 20172 min read
YOUNG LOBSTERMAN SPENDS SUMMER LEARNING THE ROPES
First published in Landings , August, 2017 Tanner Tufts, an 8-year-old third grader at Wells Elementary School, is spending his summer learning the ins and outs of lobstering with his father, Bryan Tufts, a Kennebunkport lobsterman. This past winter and spring, his father showed Tanner how to build traps and together the two of them made ten three-foot traps for Tanner to start hauling in order to start accumulating his required 2,000 hours of fishing to get his license. Tan
Aug 10, 20172 min read
Lobster Roll Festival Benefits Maine Lobstermen’s Community Alliance
First published in, Landings, August 2017 Saturday, July 8, was bright and sunny for the first annual Down East Lobster Roll Festival, organized by Down East magazine, at Thompson’s Point in Portland. More than 2,500 people poured through the gates situated between towers of lobster traps donated by Brooks Trap Mill, eager to try lobster rolls, buy Maine made products and meet the cows from Kate’s Butter. The best part? The festival was a fundraiser: $4 from the sale of eve
Aug 9, 20173 min read
Nunan’s Lobster Hut keeps traditions alive
First published in, Landings, August 2017 On any given summer night in Cape Porpoise, you will find a line of customers stretching out the door at Nunan’s Lobster Hut, just as they have since 1953. That was the year that George Nunan founded the business that has become a mainstay and anchor in this tiny fishing village in Kennebunkport. The Nunan family intends to keep it this way for many generations to come. Today the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of George Nunan
Aug 9, 20174 min read
Maine Fishermen’s Forum scholarship recipient embarks on nursing career
First published in, Landings, August 2017 The Maine Fishermen’s Forum has awarded a total of $385,886 in scholarships since 1998 to students related to a person who is actively involved in the seafood industry. The scholarship criteria are simple: Applicants must be a sophomore, junior, or senior in college; they must have an immediate family member actively participating in Maine’s seafood industry; they cannot have won the scholarship before. The awards given each year ar
Aug 9, 20173 min read
People of the Coast: Albert Carver, Beals Island
First published in, Landings , August 2017 The first thing you notice when you meet Albert Carver, 58, coowner, with his partner Patrick Robinson, and president of A.C. Inc. on Beals Island, is the color of the company T-shirt he is wearing. The shade is a nearly fluorescent green, the color of a glow-stick at night. “I decided we would have a noticeable color,” Carver said with a twinkle in his eye. “It’s on the trucks, on everything.” One might be surprised that a seafood
Aug 7, 20175 min read
Kittery Businessman Takes Bold Step Into The Seafood Business
When the former Weathervane seafood distribution center property on Badgers Island in Kittery became available, Kittery Trading Post owner Kevin Adams saw a business opportunity that would benefit the lobstering community and local economy. Through his vision, Maine Ocean Lobster was founded.“I have been very fortunate to be a third-generation owner of the Kittery Trading Post. I’ve been blessed to have a successful life in great part because of the local people. When this pr
Jul 31, 20173 min read
What are the Benefits of the Health Care Technology Revolution?
Technology affects nearly every single aspect of modern society. In fact, there isn’t an industry that hasn’t been affected by the high-tech revolution. Whether it’s communications, banking, transportation, security, or health care, each industry counts on technology in one way or another. But nowhere is this impact more apparent than in the fields of medicine and health care. Technological breakthroughs are restructuring the way health care is delivered.Telemedicine is one o
Jul 31, 20173 min read
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