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Mr. Libby and his wife, Kim, who are among the founders of the Midcoast Fishermen’s Association, also traveled to Bar Harbor, Stonington, Gouldsboro and elsewhere to meet with fishermen and hear their concerns. “I’d like to effect some change, if I could,” he said. “It’s not going to be an easy job.” Fishermen expressed concern about declining fisheries and the high cost of doing business. Responding to questions about the groundfishery, Mr. Libby said he didn’t want to see the state of Maine shut out by any future management schemes. “I’d like to see all of us along the coat be able to access groundfish,” he said. Mrs. Libby spoke of the promise of a new, grassroots initiative called Community Supported Fisheries, which provides a personal connection between consumers and fishermen at a local level. A fisherman from Port Clyde, Mr. Libby’s family owns three boats that fish for groundfish, shrimp and scallops; and he has held onto his lobster fishing license. He noted that, with the decline in groundfishing days and poor prices for shrimp, he will likely be lobster fishing more. As a groundfisherman, he has spoken at NEFMC meetings regarding the groundfisher, and has also participated in northern shrimp management deliberations of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. He and other Port Clyde residents are engaged in a working waterfront project with the lobster co-op there, in an arrangement that will allow lobstermen and groundfish vessels to share a pier and shoreside facility. MFA has a membership of nearly 30 groundfish vessels and represents the last remaining groundfishing fleet east of Portland. Gov. Baldacci submitted three other names for the NEFMC seat. Terry Alexander of Cundy’s Harbor owns two boats that fish for groundfish and shrimp, and has been engaged in fishery management at the interstate and federal level. Mary Beth Tooley is the government relations representative for the O’Hara Corp. of Rockland, has worked for the Small Pelagics Group, is the former executive director of the East Coast Pelagic Association, and has served on advisory councils for NEFMC, ASMFC, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Harold Brown is the owner of Ecoanalysts, an environmental consulting firm, and has served on a number of NEFMC and ASMFC panels and committees. |
