About Us | MLCA

MLCA's MISSION

To foster thriving coastal communities and preserve Maine’s lobstering heritage.

The Maine lobster industry serves as a model for sustainable fisheries around the world. The Maine Lobster Community Alliance (MLCA) serves as an education and charitable organization serving both fishermen and the general public who feel a strong affinity for this historic fishery and its people.

The Maine Lobster Community Alliance (MLCA) was formed in 2010 with a vision to:

Strive to preserve Maine's lobster industry.
Educate the public about Maine’s lobstering heritage.
Reinforce and pursue scientific research that furthers sustainability.
Support distressed fishing families and their community.

MLCA's programs include conservation, leadership training, scientific investigation, and education through its monthly newspaper, "Landings."

“The MLCA’s mission is to foster thriving coastal communities and preserve Maine’s lobstering heritage. MLCA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization which achieves its charitable mission through programs in education, research and charity.”

“There is no doubt that the lobster industry in Maine is

among the most — if not the most — important in the state in terms of economic impact and cultural identity.”

How important is the lobster fishery to the Maine coast?

What will be the economic impact of a reduction in the harvest due to regulations or to a changing Gulf of Maine?

Read our series on the lobster fishery's economic impact and discover how each part of the Maine coast depends on this industry to survive and thrive.

Part 1: Downeast & Stonington

Backbone of Coastal Economy at Risk as Lobster Fishery Threatened

Part 2: Midcoast

Lobster, Tourism Sustain the Midcoast Maine Economy

Part 3: Southern Maine

Lobster is the Engine of the Southern Maine Economy

Part 4: Statewide

The Lobster Industry and Maine are Inextricably Linked

MLCA's Programs

mAINE lOBSTERMEN lEADERSHIP institute

The Maine Lobstermen Leadership Institute (MLLI) develops civic leaders within Maine's lobster industry who are committed to working to preserve the economic vitality of historic coastal communities and promote stewardship of the resource.

Lobstermen get off their boats and out of their harbors and get together

for an opportunity to see the whole of Maine’s lobster fishery and how it

fits in nationally and internationally.

The curriculum includes lobster fishery management, lobster fishery science and the marine ecosystem, a detailed assessment of lobster markets, experiential learning opportunities and cultural exchange with

other fishing communities. The program focuses primarily on developing

leadership amongst younger lobstermen, which includes learning from

more experienced civic leaders in Maine.

Current industry leaders participate in the program to foster peer-to-peer

exchange and to mentor developing leaders.

Are you interested in participating in the next session of the

Maine Lobstermen Leadership Institute? Call us at 207-967-6221.

This program is made possible by donations and support from our

generous sponsors. Click to donate or contact kevin@mainelobstermen.org

to become a business sponsor.

DONATE

lOBSTERMEN
rELIEF fUND

The MLCA Relief Fund supports the distressed commercial lobstermen and their families. The Relief Fund accepts public contributions used to support Harvester families throughout Maine in times of need.

Requests for assistance are handled on a case by case basis. For more information, please contact the MLCA office directly at 207-967-6221.

Citizen Maine is a Damariscotta-based clothing company whose mission is to influence social and environmental change by donating 10% of proceeds to organizations that share their values.

The MLCA is honored to be a part of that mission. 10% of proceeds from their Lobster Collection will be donated to The Lobstermen’s Relief Fund in Maine. Feel free to shop today!

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