David Cousens, MLA’s Retiring Prez, Leaves a Great Legacy

by Laurie Schreiber

Senator Angus King, in a “stand up” tribute to David Cousens. “It was World War III. Guys were standing up and yelling. It was really close to getting out of hand. So I owe my life to this guy (David Cousens).” David Cousens in background. Mark Haskell photo

ROCKPORT—At the the Maine Lobstermen’s Association’s (MLA) annual meeting, held March 2 at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, the MLA honored its president, David Cousens, who was retiring after 27 years as president.

“David can speak with presidents, senators, and governors the same as he would to you and me,” said MLA member Jack Merrill of Islesford. “David was more than a spokesman, but when he spoke people listened. His thoughts and viewpoints often became MLA viewpoints, but he was never on an island by himself.”

“It’s been a pleasure doing this job,” said Cousens. “It hasn’t always been fun, but I’ve always been proud.”

Merrill and Arnold Gamage Jr. of South Bristol spoke to some of Cousens’ accomplishments. Cousens joined the MLA Board in 1986 and assumed the presidency in 1991.

Gamage, who is himself retiring from the MLA board, recalled when regulation of the lobster fishery was transferred from the New England Fishery Management Council to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

“Lobstermen were resistant,” said Gamage. “We didn’t like change. That’s when David started to show his true colors—how to go into a room, mingle with people, get things done. This was a whole new thing. We didn’t understand public speaking but we started learning really quick, and David took off. He really showed his leadership.”

Other policy debates centered on topics like V-notching, dragger-caught lobster and working with the Department of Marine Resources (DMR).

DMR Commissioner Pat Keliher presented Cousens with a plaque in recognition of his service.

“I’ve known David quite a few years now,” said Keliher. “There’s not an individual in this room who has more passion for this industry than David Cousens. It’s something to look up to.”

Maine State Representative John Spear, of South Thomaston, presented Cousens with a sentiment from the state legislature.

State Representative Walter Kumiega, who serves on the legislature’s marine resources committee, said he’s worked with Cousens for the past eight years on marine policy.

“The thing that stands out about David is that he’s really honest, very blunt, and tells you exactly how he feels, but he does so without shooting himself in the foot,” said Kumiega. “He doesn’t make enemies.”

Beyond Cousens’ legislative successes, he’s done a great job of getting other fishermen involved, said Kumiega, “He’s leaving a great legacy,” Kumiega said. “He’s not afraid of change. He understands that change is inevitable. And he works hard to influence change so it has minimal impact on fishermen.”

David Cousens, left, holding the award presented to him by Commissioner Pat Keliher, to his left, at the Fishermen’s Forum. The event was in recognition of Cousens’ decades as president of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. Fishermen’s Voice photo

U.S. Senator Susan Collins offered congratulations to Cousens by video, saying, “Dave lives the value of Maine’s close- knit lobstering community….Dave has been an effective voice for the lobster fishery.” Collins noted she’s worked with Cousens on a host of issues. “I know him to be a leader with strong views, invaluable insights and, above all, a desire to find solutions.”

U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree spoke in person, saying, “This is a bittersweet day for all of us who have had the pleasure of working with Dave for so long.”

“I love David Cousens,” said U.S. Senator Angus King. “He saved my ass one day.” King recalled his early years as Maine’s governor, when there was discussion by state regulators of increasing the vent size on lobster traps.

“I said, ‘What the hell, that’s no big deal,’” King recalled. King subsequently attended that year’s Maine Fishermen’s Forum. “It was World War III,” he joked. “Guys were standing up and yelling—they couldn’t make their truck payments, they were going to lose their house. It was a tough meeting. It was really close to getting out of hand, and David came up and took the microphone and said, ‘Fellas, we sell them by the pound. If they get out and get fatter, they ain’t walking to Spain.’ And it stopped the whole thing. So I owe my life to this guy.”

The incident was humorous, King went on, but also characterized Cousens—“a guy who’s smart, who understands things and is courageous. One of the crucial elements of leadership is courage. You’ve got to have vision and perseverance and other qualities, but the willingness to face down his mates in a tense and emotional situation is the essence of leadership. And that’s what he’s provided over the years.”

King presented Cousens with a copy of a tribute he posted in the Feb. 27 edition of the Congressional Record, and with a U.S. flag that flew over the U.S. capitol.

“I want David to have it to think about what he’s done for the people of the state of Maine and also for the people of our country,” King said.

The MLA membership voted in Kristen Porter of Cutler as the organization’s new president. In brief remarks, Porter cautioned, “We have some huge, huge things going on.”