You could say that the future of the #SaveMaineLobstermen campaign looks a lot brighter these days thanks to a new partnership with Durabrite. In February, the New Jersey-based commercial advanced lighting solutions manufacturer unveiled a new line of #SaveMaineLobstermen-branded lights and pledged to donate 20% of the proceeds from this special collection to the #SaveMaineLobstermen campaign.
On its website Durabrite writes, “Over the past 10 years, every time without fail, it was the support of Maine fishermen that solidified our presence in the marine industry. Because of this connection to the Maine fishing community, we have gotten to know our customers on a name-by-name basis. They’ve told us their stories, we’ve developed our products to better serve them, and many of them have become our friends, and so our investment in Maine lobstermen is a personal one.
DuraBrite would not be the DuraBrite you know today without Maine lobstermen. We want to reinvest in the community that invested in us. We are all in it together!”
Demonstrating just how close-knit the fishing community is, the company says the first lights from the SML collection were sold to an Alaskan crab fisherman.
The SML collection consists of a pro, mini, and nano size light and can be seen and purchased directly from Durabrite’s website durabritelights.com/collections/savemainelobstermen.
In other SML news, Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) board president Kristan Porter was the featured speaker at a “Hot Stove” talk hosted by the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, February 11. Porter outlined for the group the challenges that continue to face Maine’s lobster industry with regard to federal rules intended to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Betsy Vickery, vice president of sales and marketing at W.S. Emerson, a promotional marketing company in Brewer, attended Porter’s talk and unveiled a new line of promotional products designed to help #SaveMaineLobstermen, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and other items. These products can be seen at https://supportmainelobster.itemorder.com/shop/home.
Lobsterman Dave Kaselauskas, left, Betsy Wish, center, and Charlene Hoyt organized "Chowder's On" held on Feb. 26 in Kittery. Photo courtesy of Foster's Daily Democrat.
Finally, several fundraising events are scheduled as we head into spring. “All Hands on Deck” Community Fundraising events will take place in Kittery on February 26 and in Phippsburg on March 25. Robinson’s Wharf in Southport will host an event on Friday, March 10, featuring music by Maine-based band 12/OC. Tickets for this event went fast and it is sold out!
Finally, the MLA has been working with the City of Auburn, which recently announced that it will host its first “Lobster Festival” on Saturday, May 6. The event will feature live music, Maine craft brews, food trucks and, of course, lobster! The MLA will proudly participate as we help spread “lobster love” up the Androscoggin River.
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