Ocean Change Topic of Maine Fishermen’s Forum

At the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, Thursday, March 3, 1-4 p.m., fishermen will be discussing what changes in the ocean they have seen from their daily vantage point. The session will be moderated by fishermen Kristan Porter of Cutler and Gerry Cushman of Tenants Harbor. Porter said the object is to have fishermen discuss what they are seeing in the ocean as a result of global warming, rather that discuss what is causing the changes they will have to deal with. “It’s happening, so what do we do in response to it, rather than getting into the blame game?” said Porter.

The session will include presentations from state and national scientists, experts in meteorology, fishermen from throughout the United States and policy makers from all levels of government. Already committed as a speaker is Capt. Keith Colburn from The Deadliest Catch.

The goal is to share with Maine fishermen the knowledge being gathered by their peers and colleagues, on and off the water, and start a conversation within fishing communities. Many variables are impacting the changes fishermen see every day, and this event will provide a platform for knowledge to be heard and shared.

The first part of the event will focus on science with discussions of the El Nino effect; as well as higher water temperatures and what fish are doing in response to these changes and the changes seen in the greater Gulf of Maine. The second part will concern what fishermen from other parts of the country are seeing. Colburn will discuss what he is seeing off the coast of Alaska. The Dungeness Crab Fishermen’s Association from the U.S. Pacific Northwest will talk about water temperatures and the surge in toxic algae blooms. Representatives from the Rock Lobster Fishery in Western Australia will report from that side of the globe. Gulf of Mexico crab fishermen will bring news from that region, which has been hit with a number of environmental impacts in the last decade.

Other industry representatives include Buddy Guindon, F/V Blackjack of the program Big Fish, Texas; John Mellor, F/V High Hopes, dungeness crab fisherman; Linda Williams, Western Australia Rock Lobster Fishery; Todd Gutner, WSCH6; Carl Wilson, Maine DMR; Jon Hare, NOAA; and Andy Pershing, GMRI.

Porter has encouraged everyone to come to this event. It will segue into the Seafood Reception at 5 p.m., where scholarship items to be auctioned will be on view.