Category: Fisheries

There’s an article in today’s paper about a fisherman, Craig Pendleton a 3rd generation fisherman, and his decision to get out of fishing entirely.

Pendleton, 48, is trying to sell his boat, and last month started taking classes toward a business degree at Husson University in South Portland. For the third-generation fisherman, it is more than a career change. It’s the end of a way of life and a family heritage.

“I’m the last Pendleton to fish out of Camp Ellis,” he said. “I held out for as long as I could.”

Lobstermen hit hard by low prices are looking for new business models to help make themselves profitable, according to an article in this week’s edition of The Forecaster.

Chebeague Island, a handful of men in thick flannel shirts joked: “How many lobstermen does it take to change a light bulb? … Change?”  But that’s exactly what they were setting out to do.

Glen Libby, chairman of the Midcoast Fishermen’s Association, authored a Maine Voices article for today’s Press Herald about fisheries management. He call the current days at sea approach a “dismal failure” but expresses hope in a new sector based management and other ideas like CSFs.

“In addition to forming a sector, our fishermen have created Community Supported Fisheries based on the successful agriculture model, Community Supported Agriculture.

In partnership with the Island Institute, this has allowed us to change the current marketing structure from catching high volumes of lower-quality fish that sell for a low price to catching low volumes of higher-quality fish that sell for a premium price.

By selling directly to the people of Maine, we have established a way to keep Maine’s fishermen fishing, and our customers now feel a strong sense of ownership for the fishery and the fishermen in the Gulf of Maine.”

Lobster prices have begun to rebound according to an article in today’s Press Herald.

“Lobster prices are rising after months in the tank, but with poor weather conditions and much of their fishing gear pulled from the water, not many fishermen are reaping the rewards.”

Here’s more on the Maine Shrimp season from Portland Psst!.

Thanks once again to Johnny D there’s a thread on the eGullet Forums devoted to following the Maine Shrimp season.

This week’s Non Sequitur comic strip has been pursuing a “Lobstah” theme (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).