MCCF Monthly

December 2023

Greetings MCCF Friend, 

December marked an important month in our fisheries world, as we saw our boats switch over from lobstering to scalloping. Every day we see more fishermen coming in for support as they adapt. The scallop fishery is a vibrant example of co-management, and MCCF serves our community with updates on the open and closed areas and provides four-color nautical maps to fishermen, law enforcement officers, scientists and others. 

Our work continues to gain momentum and we are working hard to generate grant funding to deliver on our signature programs. As you peruse this brief newsletter, I want to thank you for your friendship and continued support of our nonprofit. We couldn't do this important work without you!

Cheers and Happy New Year,

-Alexa.

Our annual Eastern Maine Skippers event, known as ‘Cohort Day’, was held mid-November at the Schoodic Institute in Winter Harbor and drew close to 60 total guests including 6 area high schools’ teachers and students, MCCF current and former Board members, active fishermen and Maine Department of Marine Resource Commissioner Pat Keliher joined us as well.

A panel which included 6 active fishermen, was a highlight for many of the students and teachers. There is definitely a future in fishing, and aquaculture. The advice given was to be careful with financial risks and big boat investments, and be willing to work a few different fisheries to make it work year-round. Working with a variety of techniques to adapt gear has always been the way. Budding scientists saw how a question can be answered in partnership with an industry member through collaborative research.

Talk of the Towns: Climate Resilience

and Adaption in Coastal Communities

Our own Carla Guenther and Alexa Dayton joined four other panel members at the Stonington Opera House on a mid-week evening recently to co-host a community discussion on climate adaptation and resilience. It was a packed house with over 200 people in attendance. Sea level rise impacts, as well as changes in the ocean were explored. Travis Fifield shared his thoughts on how the local businesses might adapt. MCCF Board member Carl Wilson made the trip up to discuss the DMR perspective, as well as his own personal experiences as a long standing member of this island community. This is the beginning of a series of talks, and a forum that we believe generates the conversations that are vital to our ability to thrive in a changing world. More of these to come! Read the recent write up by the Island AdVantages.

So many changes and questions are lingering as we go into the next year. If you haven't yet made your annual gift to our non-profit please consider doing so. Never has our work been more important to our industry and communities. We know that these are unprecedented times. If you are able to give, please consider making a tax-deductible donation TODAY.

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, all gifts will be

matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000. Now's your opportunity to

DONATE ONCE AND MAKE TWICE THE IMPACT. Plus, all donors who give $50 or more will be entered into a drawing for a private 2 hour gathering for up to 8 people, with our own Captain Leroy Weed this summer.