Leah Ames, 10, and Luke Ames, 8, know how to get about on the water. Or at least on the waters around their home island, Matinicus. The two siblings each run ten traps which they fish under the watchful eye of their father, lobsterman David Ames Jr. It’s part of the family tradition, according to Leah. “My dad has been a fisherman since he was a kid and his dad and grandfather too,” she said. She started going lobstering with her father some years ago, as did her brother. The two like being...

What a great Fisherman’s Forum! It is certainly one of my favorite times of year. It was so great to see all the friends I’ve made there over time, the people you only see at the Forum. My wife Abbi and I have been going for at least 17 years and my two sons, Damon and Kaden, for the last 12 years or so. Sonny Beal, MLA board chair. Photo by G. Rybus. This year’s Forum, however, was a little more special in several ways. We had Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, the head of NOAA...

MLA Annual Meeting Summary The Maine Lobstermen’s Association held its 72nd Annual Meeting at the Samoset Resort in Rockport on March 6. The meeting kicked off with MLA board vice-president Sonny Beal thanking the MLA board members and staff for all their hard work over the past year. He also recognized retired board member Jason Joyce of Swans Island, who stepped down last fall. It was a full room for the 72nd MLA annual meeting in March. MLA photos. MLA members then approved a slate of...