On the shores of Long Island in Casco Bay, fishing isn’t just a job, it’s the heartbeat of the community. I know firsthand that fishing is about much more than hauling traps or chasing quotas. It’s about showing up for each other, working side by side, and leaning on neighbors when times get tough. We might not always see eye-to-eye, but when somebody needs help, we’re there. That’s what community is. That’s what fishing is.
Family and community are what make commercial fishing in Maine possible. C.Clegg photo.
With only about 260 people living on the island year-round, every person counts. Whether fixing a wharf, moving equipment, or lending a truck, no one has to ask for help; it’s just understood. It doesn’t matter if it’s fishing, dump runs, or taking care of neighbors when they are sick. We all pitch in. That’s the way it’s always been, and that’s how we keep going.
This sense of community also drives the island’s younger fishermen to take the helm. In recent years, a couple of them received Maine state scallop licenses through the lottery process and stepped into the role of the next generation, diversifying from just lobstering. I’ve tried to help where I can but it’s really everyone on this island. We all want to see them succeed because it keeps our way of life alive.
The fishing industry has always been challenging, but today’s fishermen are forced to adapt to it in ways earlier generations might not have imagined. Diversification has become essential, with folks balancing lobstering and scalloping to make ends meet. I’ve seen neighbors expand into kelp farming and oyster farms, pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a fisherman.
It’s not just about passing down skills; it’s about passing down values. Fishing can be brutal. If you’re in it for the money, you’re in the wrong place. You’ve got to love it to stay, and you’ve got to love the people around you, too. That’s what makes it all worth it.
Beyond the shorelines of Long Island, lobstermen have found solidarity with other fishing communities across the country. Last fall, I met fishermen from Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond and realized just how similar our challenges are. It reinforced the importance of building connections between coastal communities. If we don’t stick together, we’re going to struggle. We need to support each other, share what we know, and push for better prices and conservation. That’s the only way we’ll make it.
The communities in the Pacific Northwest struggle with quota cuts, early season closures, and new regulations that make it challenging to stay afloat. Whether it’s Maine or Alaska, we’re all dealing with the same pressures, just wrapped up a little differently. Making connections with fishermen from other regions reinforces the sense that no one is in this alone. Despite being separated by thousands of miles, fishing communities share the same grit, values, and commitment to preserving their traditions. These relationships are a reminder that fishermen everywhere are in this together, weathering the same storms, navigating regulations, and finding ways to keep going.
And support doesn’t stop at the docks. The community extends to how people buy their seafood. It’s simple. If you want us to keep fishing, you’ve got to buy local. Support your neighbor. Eat what’s caught right on your coast.
The future of fishing depends on the next generation stepping up. The community must rally behind them. It’s not easy getting younger people into this business. Supporting young fishermen goes beyond offering advice, fixing gear, and being a generational fishing family; it also means creating a market to support local fishermen. When people buy locally caught seafood, they’re keeping us out there. Every time you choose a lobster from Maine or fish from your neighbor, you’re investing in the next generation of fishermen. This connection between local buyers and local catch ensures that fishing communities like ours will continue to thrive. If we don’t support our own, we lose more than an industry — we lose our heritage.
Fishing on Long Island has always been about the way of life and the connection to the community. Whether it’s the laughter echoing through channel 73, working with family, and the comfort of knowing your neighbors are always behind you, fishing here is about belonging. At the end of the day, the community is what holds everything together. Without that, none of the rest would matter.
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