The 50th Maine Fishermen’s Forum kicks off on Thursday, February 27, with a focus on shellfishing. The day begins with a session on sea level rise and its effect on intertidal mudflats. Sea level rise poses a direct threat to Maine’s coastal ecosystems with predicted increases in flooding, saltwater inundation, erosion, and loss of habitat. Efforts to better understand how sea level rise will impact shellfishing can foster adaptive management of the fishery.
Everyone enjoys the Friday night dinner and auction. MFF photos.
Another Thursday morning seminar looks at green crabs as a developing commercial fishery. Green crabs are major predators of young softshell clams throughout the Gulf of Maine. In 2019, a seminar at the Forum looked at developing markets for the invasive species. Since then there has been a surge in interest in a commercial fishery and culinary market development.
Brian Beal, director of the Downeast Institute on Beals Island, will speak about soft-shell clam reproduction in Maine. The Institute has been researching the relationship between the size of female clams and the number of eggs produced when they spawn. The results of the research could offer a way to outpace green crab predation by leaving more breeders in the ecosystem.
The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) will hold a ‘visioning’ session on its scallop management plan in the afternoon. The Council is in the process of developing a long-term (3-5 year) strategic plan for managing the scallop fishery in federal waters. The visioning session will gather community input on specific topics related to the scallop fishery as an initial phase of the strategic planning process.
On Friday at 9 a.m. the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) will hold its 71st annual meeting. The meeting will feature updates on current policy issues such as lobster management, right whales and offshore wind development. All MLA members and their families are encouraged to attend. The MLA is also hosting a “Get to Know the MLA Social Hour” at the Golf Club from 4:30 to 6:00 with a free drink ticket for all who attend.
In addition on Friday morning a panel will discuss the next phase of work on a regional offshore wind fisheries compensation fund. For the past three years, eleven East Coast states have been working collectively to organize this fund. Key to the fund’s development is ensuring that the unique cultures, experiences and needs of fishermen are reflected in the process.
NOAA staff will be holding a seminar on how to properly submit electronic vessel trip (eVTR) reports. As of April 1, 2024, all federal lobster permit holders have had to submit electronic trip reports. The seminar will review when an eVTR is required, how to submit an eVTR, the importance and benefits of electronic vessel trip reporting, and the various platforms available to complete an eVTR.
Department of Marine Resources (DMR) staff will provide an update on right whale monitoring efforts and the timeline for new protection measures. DMR’s Division of Marine Mammal Research will talk about the department’s research programs which are aimed at increasing understanding of right whales in the Gulf of Maine and exploring alternative lobster fishing gear types. DMR policy staff will then provide information about anticipated rulemaking to occur under the Atlantic Large Take Reduction Plan.
Ten years ago, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) began working with fishermen to develop the Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey (BLLS). Survey samples are taken at 45 stations between 15 and 160 fathoms each spring and fall. The morning seminar will share the results of the BLLS and discuss how to expand industry engagement and data use.
Friday afternoon will include the annual question and answer session with NOAA and NEFMC staff. Those invited to participate include Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries; Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office; Jon Hare, Research and Science Director, Northeast Fisheries Science Center; Cate O’Keefe, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; and Rick Bellavance, Chair, New England Fishery Management Council.
That afternoon there will also be a session hosted by the Lobster Institute on four ongoing collaborative projects. These projects include Environmental Monitors on Lobster Traps (eMOLT) which gather data on temperature, salinity, and oxygen on the ocean floor; the American Lobster Settlement Index, which helps identify young-of-the-year settlement patterns; the Lobstermen’s Knowledge Trust, a project through which lobstermen manage and control use of their chart plotter data; and Navigating the New Arctic, a project which links changes in the Arctic to the biological, economic, and social dynamics of the lobster industry.
On Saturday morning the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative will give an update on its 2024 activities and plans for 2025. The Maine Elver Fishermen’s Association will hold its annual meeting with presentations on the elver population, dam removal efforts, management and market forecasts. The Downeast Lobstermen’s Association also will meet Saturday morning.
DMR staff will give the annual summary of the Lobster Monitoring and Research Program 2024 surveys, which collect demographic data on the Gulf of Maine lobster population at different life stages. The data is used by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in its lobster stock assessment, underway now.
Saturday afternoon will feature a seminar on aquaculture techniques from around the world. Maine has used aquaculture technology transfers with great success to introduce new species, technologies, equipment, and culinary uses for shellfish and kelp. Presenters involved in Maine’s aquaculture sector will speak about kelp farming in South Korea, Japan and Alaska, scallop farming in Japan and Atlantic Canada, wild scallop harvesting in France, Australian oyster farming, West Coast shellfish aquaculture, and New Zealand mussel farming.
Later that afternoon there will be a Health and Safety Preparedness session. Fishermen who have experienced safety challenges at sea and others who have completed safety training will discuss their experiences. Attendees can then visit interactive stations to further discuss topics such as: vessel stability, first aid, health and strength training, lifejackets, and responding to an opioid emergency.
The Maine Lobster Boat Racing Association and the Alewife Harvesters of Maine will meet that afternoon as well.
The three days also will feature a Trade Show, health screenings, safety training in the Samoset pool, and evening events.
Other activities:
Trade Show
More than 120 suppliers of commercial fishing equipment and services will be exhibiting at the Forum Trade Show this year.
Health and Safety
The University of Southern Maine School of Nursing will hold a Health Clinic. Free screenings include blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and health screenings. In addition to the health clinic, there will be a dermatologist available for free skin cancer screenings and prevention information.
The Coast Guard’s Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program will provide water safety training on Friday and Saturday mornings.
First Aid and CPR
A CPR/First Aid course (Coast Guard Approved Certification by the American Safety and Health Institute) will be held at the Forum again, sponsored by the Maine Fishermen’s Forum. The cost is $50 per person.
Children’s Activities
There will be organized opportunities for children and teens to swim, play games, watch movies, and participate in group events like arts and crafts and scavenger hunts. Sign children up to participate at the Forum desk in the Samoset’s lobby.
Evening Events
Thursday Seafood Reception and Silent Auction
Friday Fish Dinner and Live Auction
Saturday Banquet, Forum Wrap-up, and Dance Party
The annual silent auction on Thursday and live auction on Friday raise money for the Forum’s Scholarships, which are awarded each year to secondary school students from Maine fishing families.
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