MCCF Monthly
September 2022
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MCCF Welcomes Alexa Dayton
as Executive Director
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The Board of Directors of the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries (MCCF), a non-profit with a mission to sustain fisheries and coastal communities in Maine, is thrilled to introduce Alexa Dayton as the newly appointed Executive Director.
Dayton brings more than 25 years of leadership experience and a deep understanding of Maine’s unique character and communities. She has held senior positions with L.L. Bean, Maine Huts & Trails, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, and most recently with the University of Maine System. “The MCCF Board is delighted to welcome Alexa Dayton as our new Executive Director. Alexa's background, experience, connections and excitement about the MCCF mission make her a great person to lead MCCF into its next phase,” shares Jane Osborne, Chair of the Board of Directors. Read the full press announcement. |
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Eastern Maine Skippers Program to Explore Shrimp and Whelk Fisheries |
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The Eastern Maine Skippers Program (EMSP), a collaborative education program of Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries (MCCF) has kicked-off its 2022-2023 school year in nine classrooms along Downeast Maine. Participating schools include: Deer Isle-Stonington High School, Ellsworth High School, George Stevens Academy, Jonesport-Beals High School, Mount Desert Island High School, Narraguagus High School, North Haven Community School, Vinalhaven School, and newcomer Washington Academy located in East Machias.
Students will spend the school year immersing themselves in the program's core content as well as studying an array of project topics involving Maine's shrimp, whelk, and scallop fisheries. Some students will explore the little-known whelk fishery and participate in northern shrimp sampling in collaboration with the Downeast Institute. Others will have the opportunity to take part in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) scallop spat dispersal study, in partnership with Hurricane Island and Bates College.
MCCF's Fisheries Education Specialist Tom Duym shares, "We look forward to getting back to the business of creating a growing cohort of young fishermen as well as supportive interest and community involvement in the current challenges and future opportunities of coastal fishing communities in Eastern Maine."
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Maine Lobster Fishery Under Fire |
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Earlier this month, a federal judge put an end to Maine's lobster industry request to delay a new round of rules and regulations put in place to protect the North Atlantic Right Whale. U.S. District Court Judge, James Boasberg shared in his ruling, “The National Marine Fisheries Service reasonably explained how it estimated the right-whale population and modeled that population into the future, drawing on what it rationally assessed was the best available data and submitting its methods for peer review. That is all that the Administrative Procedure Act requires." It was recently announced that the state and the Maine Lobstermen's Association will appeal this decision.
Not only is this ruling a huge loss to the industry, but the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program "red listed" US and Canadian lobster the same week. The watch group encourages the public to avoid purchasing and consuming the lobster product based on environmental dangers and sustainability, among other factors. This announcement led to a series of grocers and meal kit companies boycotting Maine lobster. It also led to an uproar by industry members and fishermen.
The state's fishing industry prides itself on its conservation practices and engagement with policymakers to develop sound regulations to reduce risk to the right whale in order to continue providing a quality and sustainable product throughout the year.
MCCF continues to encourage folks to support Maine fishermen by purchasing lobster- both at home and while dining out. Those wanting to express their concerns can do so on the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch website. |
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River Herring Network
Launches New Website
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In partnership with Manomet, we are pleased to announce the launch of the River Herring Network (RHN) website. The network is a group of over 50 participants that include river herring researchers, fishermen, managers (state/federal/tribal), and other stakeholders.
RHN is designed around the principal that we can all get farther, faster if we talk to each other, work with each other, and trust each other. The network has big goals around restoration, research, and sustainable management as well as the harvest of river herring and is a great example of MCCF's collaborative work. The user-friendly website includes a toolbox for counting river herring, ways to get involved in river restoration, and much more. Check it out at www.gomriverherringnetwork.org. |
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September Lunch and Learn |
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Join us this Friday, September 30 at 12:30pm, onboard the F/V Alexsa Rose as we explain the various pieces of safety equipment onboard an offshore lobster boat, and how to use them in an emergency situation. Safety training is a major piece of our Eastern Maine Skippers Program, making sure our communities' youth is comfortable and confident in a vessel emergency. We'll even fight a real fire, blow up an inflatable life raft and put some people in cold water. Don't miss this one-hour, online presentation. |
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Bid for a Good Cause in Online Auction |
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We invite you to bid for a cause! Join us for our upcoming online auction scheduled for Saturday, October 1 through Sunday, October 16. This is a great opportunity to start your holiday shopping while supporting MCCF’s important work to keep our working waterfronts alive and vibrant for the next generation.
Bid on 50 items and experiences including: fine jewelry, housewares, gift certificates to your favorite local restaurants and retailers, a tarot card reading, artwork from Maine artists, gift baskets and swag bags, on-the-water experiences, boat haul out or put in, various subscriptions and memberships, vehicle detailing, collectible books, one week of daycare, haircuts for a year, lobster trap rocking chairs, handbags, and excavation work
Please note that the website to view all auction items and begin bidding will go live on October 1 at 8:00am. Visit our event page for more information.
We'd like to thank our sponsors: Barter Lumber Co, Buxton Boats, Day Boat Fresh, Leaf & Anna, The Dry Dock, There's a Treat Takeout
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Be inspired. Fish forever.
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Every day, Maine fishermen are working in unpredictable elements to bring fresh seafood to the tables of many. Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries continues efforts to secure a sustainable future for fisheries and fishing communities in Eastern Maine and beyond. We are taking collective actions that include the knowledge of fishermen, the findings of scientists and partnerships with regulatory authorities, at all levels, to make sure we can
keep fishing alive for today and for tomorrow’s fishery stewards.
Your generosity helps us with our efforts to secure a sustainable future for fisheries and fishing communities in Eastern Maine. Tax-friendly options include gifts of stock, IRA QCDs and DAFs.
Please consider donating today. Together we can fish forever.
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