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 father is a lobsterman who also fishes for elvers. Her mother is a cook at Beals Elementary School. Her brother is also a fisherman and her younger sister attends middle school. After graduating from Jonesport-Beals High School in 2015, McDonald enrolled at the University of Maine. “I am double-majoring in secondary education and history in the Honors College at UMaine,” she said. “I have always had a desire to be a teacher and support others in academic achievement, and I’ve also always enjoyed studying!” During her sophomore year, McDonald had the opportunity to study abroad in Birmingham, England, something she said was a “life-changing experience. ”Now a junior, McDonald works at the Career Center on campus and at the Bangor YMCA. In her free time, she likes to paint and to travel.

She credits her mother and father for encouraging her to further her education. “My parents always put a high value on my education, especially because of the field I wanted to go into. My high school teachers were all also very supportive of me going to college,” she explained. Different funding sources, including the Maine Fishermen’s Forum scholarship, helped to make college affordable. “I received a large scholarship from the University and one from the Maine Seacoast Mission in addition to the Fishermen’s Forum scholarship and traditional financial aid,” she said.After she graduates in 2019, McDonald plans to teach English in an underserved area in South America or Asia before settling into a more traditional teacher role. She had this to say to all the people who make the Fishermen’s Forum scholarship possible. “Thank you so much! The scholarship lifted a huge burden off my shoulders and allowed me to be less in debt.”

Merritt Wotton, 23, of New Harbor graduated from Lincoln Academy in 2012 and from the University of Maine in May of this year. In Orono he earned a degree in mechanical engineering technology. “It is a very hands-on program with more than just traditional classroom learning,” he explained. Wotton comes from a large family of fishermen; the family owns its own wharf in New Harbor. His brothers Mitchell and Myles and father Donald all fish for lobster. Currently the fishery is doing well in terms of landings and price but that wasn’t so when Wotton was in high school from 2008 to 2012. “During my high school years lobstering was not very profitable.

I wanted to go to college and be the first person in my immediate family to get a bachelor’s degree.”Living and studying in Orono gave Wotton a different view of the world. “The experience of getting away from my small town was both the least and most enjoyable thing for me. I learned a lot, grew a lot and changed a lot,” he said. “I still came home almost every weekend to go lobstering, hunt and see my family though.”Scholarships and lobstering helped to pay for his education as did a business Wotton started specializing in traditional lobster bakes. Then there is the food truck. “I take my food truck to various locations such as the Old Port Festival to sell lobster rolls made from the lobster I catch.

The business operates under the name Wotton’s Lobster Wharf LLC,” he said. In his free time, Wotton enjoys hunting, tuna fishing, and watching his younger brother Miles play sports.After graduating in May, Wotton found himself busy. “I bought a 30’ Repco called F/V Overtime this spring and I go as a sternman with my father on the F/V Red Lady year-round. I fish my own gear from May to October. I also have been doing my catering business all summer and fall. My degree is still in my back pocket in case I ever need it but for now I’m sticking with making a living from the ocean. I get to get up early, work alongside my family and see my younger brother grow up,” Wotton said. “My ultimate goal is to expand my catering and seafood business.”Wotton expressed his thanks to the Fishermen’s Forum and to his parents, Rebecca and Donald, for supporting him in getting his college degree and in his catering business and lobstering. “Right now I have a lot of opportunity and options, and I’m thankful for that,” he said.