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Feature Articles
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Maine forum topics cover every key New England fishery
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This article is reprinted with permission of Commercial Fisheries News, the Northeast's fishing newspaper for over 30 years, ©2003 Compass Publications Inc. Commercial Fisheries News is published monthly; annual subscriptions are $21.95. To subscribe or request a sample issue: call (877) 263-4496; fax (207) 367-2490; e-mail (cfoster@fish-news.com); or click on the hot link.
by CFN
ROCKPORT, ME - Whether you want insight into Maine's inshore trawl survey or more facts about health care and marine insurance, this year's 27th Maine Fishermen's Forum and Trade Show promises to pulsate with the latest news in every segment of the commercial fishing industry.
The action-packed weekend begins on Thursday, Feb. 28 and runs through Saturday evening, March 2, wrapping up with a banquet and dance featuring the live band High Ryder Golden Oldies.
Although forum attendees may have a hard time squeezing in all of the seminars that pique their interest, they're sure to make time for a stroll through the sold-out trade show.
The show covers two floors at the Samoset Resort in Rockport - home of the forum - with more than 100 exhibitors displaying an impressive array of fishing gear, engines, and marine services.
The popular Friday night benefit auction, preceded by a fish dinner, will once again be a highlight. Friday afternoon's buffet luncheon will feature guest speaker Bill Hogarth, director of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Hogarth has been reaching out to industry over the past year to hear people's problems firsthand, and he'll be walking the Samoset hallways and popping into seminars looking for a chance to talk with fishermen one-on-one.
Anyone arriving on Thursday should make a point of attending the opening night fresh seafood reception. The abundant spread, sponsored by many of Maine's industry associations, is always impressive, and it's a fun way to hook up with old friends and kick off the weekend.
Don't forget. Once those seafood plates are empty, there's no need to turn in early. Thursday night is "casino night."
Friday/Saturday
The seminar line-up for Friday and Saturday is meaty, covering everything from scallops to halibut research and lobster computer modeling to "live hooked fish." A raft mussel farming workshop and a session on the Pew Oceans Commission are also on the agenda. Other sessions include:
- Atlantic herring research and management;
- Maine's reaction to the current fisheries management crisis;
- The US Coast Guard's search and rescue and fishing vessel safety operations;
- Maine's whale take reduction plan;
- Collaborative research initiatives;
- Marine protected areas;
- The big lobster question: Are we really going to F10%?;
- The loss of working waterfront access; and
- Much, much more.
While trade show exhibitors use Thursday to set up, fishermen can take in one of three specialized seminars while settling in for the weekend.
The biggest one - an all day seminar on the ongoing health insurance crisis - is expected to draw a hefty crowd. Obtaining affordable health insurance has been a long-standing problem for self-employed fishermen.
Highly migratory species fishermen have their own afternoon session on the activities of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. And the Maine Softshell Clam Council will be holding a Thursday afternoon meeting.
For more information, call forum coordinator Chilloa Young at (207) 442-7700 or visit the forum's website at http://www.maineseafood.org/mff/mff.htm.
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