Can Fishermen Tap into Tourism?

John Nicolai of Bar Harbor discusses the pros and cons of the lobsterboat-as-tourboat industry, during a session on how fishermen can tap into the tourism industry on March 6 at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport. L. Schreiber Photo

As lobster fishermen struggle with new regulations, the rising cost of business, and low prices for their product, some have diversified the use of their boats to boost the bottom line.

“What we need to do is think about what’s going to put cash in our pockets to offset the high cost of bait, the high cost of fuel, and so forth,” said Clive Farrin of Boothbay Harbor.

Farrin is a lobster fisherman who, three years ago, started taking one or two paying passengers at a time when he went out to haul traps.

For his town, he said, “What I do is unique.”

Farrin was one of several fishermen and tourboat operators who shared their experience at a session on whether and how fishermen can tap into the tourism dollar, hosted by Maine Sea Grant on March 6 at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport. Folks spoke to the barriers and successes of making the switch, either partially or entirely, to tourism, and issues related to retrofitting boats, getting new licenses and insurance, and becoming Coast Guard-approved.
For Farrin, the incorporation of tourism into his regular fishing operation has been a success on a small scale.

Farrin said it didn’t take long for him and his sternman to realize that they had a good thing going. He has hooked up with local hotels that are located on the shore and have their own piers or access to a pier, for a cooperative venture that provides the lodgings with an extra perk and his venture with an easy access point and a built-in market. He installed a bench on the port side of his boat, and he positions his sternman by the hauler to make sure no one gets snarled in a line.

He made brochures, joined the chamber of commerce, and devised a schedule that runs back-to-back, hour-long trips tied to his hauling trips. His operation is now rated No. 5 out of the top 19 things to do in Boothbay Harbor.

“We have a good time doing it,” Farrin said. “If it keeps a little cash flowing, then we’re happy.”
Another man who has run a tour boat operation in Bar Harbor for many years warned, however, that the business can have a downside, mainly due to liability risks.

John Nicolai has taken out more than 30,000 passengers over the past 12 years on the Lulu, a traditional Down East-style lobsterboat that is U.S. Coast Guard-certified as an inspected small-passenger vessel, fully insured, and outfitted with safety, navigation and communication equipment that meets or exceeds Coast Guard regulations. Nicolai gutted and rebuilt the old wooden Duffy 35 boat for the business.

Safety and liability are huge issues, he said.

“You’re not transporting lobster anymore; you’re transporting people,” he said. “If someone slips on the deck, you could get sued, and then you’re in a world of hurt.”

Fishermen who are having a hard time will not necessarily find that tourism is the answer, he said.

“You don’t want to go from the frying pan into the fire,” he said. “It has to be well thought out.”
Lobsterboats and fishing operations are not well suited to the safety of tourists, he said.

Conversely, he said, tour boats are not particularly suited to fishing. He said that one example is the safety railing required on Coast Guard-inspected tour boats, which impedes trap-hauling.
He said, “Some people will have to make a choice: Do I want to fish or do I want to do tourism?”