The Columbia being built 1985. She was the last wooden vessel built at the Newbert &Wallace Yard on the St. George River in Thomaston, ME. Established in 1942 they specialized in building fishing vessels. Boatbuilding and fisheries in Maine have continued to change since the Columbia slid down the ways. Federal regulations consolidated the groundfish fleet. Habitat regulations are now reducing accessible fishing areas. Peter Ralston photo.
Coral Areas Off MDI
On Table
by Sandra Dinsmore
In the January issue of Fishermen’s Voice, an article by Laurie Schreiber about the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument and the New England Fishery management Council’s [NEFMC] Draft Coral Amendment described seven areas proposed to be protected in the Gulf of Maine and Southern New England as part of the first coral protection of its kind in the North Atlantic Ocean. In the Gulf of Maine these areas include Jordan Basin, Georges Basin, Outer Schoodic Ridge (off Petit Manan light), and Mount Desert Rock. The National Monument declaration prohibits commercial fishing, but allows lobster and deep sea crab fishermen who fish these protected areas seven years to stop fishing there. Although the draft NEFMC Coral Amendment is not
Audio link to Irish coast resident’s comments on
