Page 4. MAINE COASTAL NEWS December 2009
Maine Coastal News
Editorial:
HEY AGAIN, SEA BISCUIT HERE
P.O. Box 710
Winterport, Maine 04496-0710 U.S.A.
I figured it was time to write again. Yes, have been caught in a trap by some with
it’s been a while, but fishin’ and writin’—it personal agendas.
(207) 223-8846 Fax (207) 223-9004 kinda don’t mix. See, as you all know, it’s been Yes, I know that saying some people
E-mail - igmatats@aol.com
a touchy year. The best way to put it, I suck have a personal agenda might come as a
at this thing call “multi-tasking. Hell, I can’t surprise to you, but I believe it is true. First
Web site: www.mainescoast.com
even take the boat out of gear when I’m look back, think long and hard what group
hauling traps; too many levers for me. I just has led a crusade for trap limits, limits on
like to put the boat in forward and go; no stop people entering the fishery, tiered license
and starts here, just forward and circle. Well, plan, the list goes on——
enough on that side trip, back to writin’. This group is now being heavily sup-
I’m sittin here looking out the window at ported by the Island Institute (aka Puffin
the dusting of the snow, wondering where counters) and here’s the kicker, they’d prob-
did the time go? June and July was rainy. ably work for the whale huggers for the right
Summer came for one week in August; Sep- price. To put it in a nutshell, I don’t trust this
tember and October; well I must’ve missed bunch. The problem here is that they love to
them and now snow. Makes me wonder spend somebody else’s money. As long as
where we all will be next year at this time. they can gain access to public funds or dona-
You see, it was a year ago, October that tions, they will keep pushing their agenda.
Maine Coastal News is dedicated to covering the waterfront of State of Maine. It covers
a close friend of mine died suddenly at the age Now remember, their agenda will only benefit
commercial fishing, yachting (power and sail), boat yard and waterfront news and maritime history.
of forty-six and a week or so later, my mom some, but not all.
Maine Coastal News is published 12 times per year.
passed away after heart surgery that was O.K., before you think I have totally
The distribution of Maine Coastal News is from Eastport to Kittery and is free on the
supposed to be routine. She was sixty-eight gone “whack-o” I can prove what I mean.
newsstand. It also can be by subscription. A year subscription, 12 issues, is $20.00. A single copy
but acted twenty-eight. Also, we were all Look at Area #1 Federal waters: we have an
is $2.00, which covers the postage. Foreign rates for subscriptions are $40.00 per year.
The Maine Coastal News office is located at 966 North Main Street, Winterport, Maine.
watching the lobster price going to Hell as the active history date, if a permit does not have
Comments or additional information write: Maine Coastal News, P.O. Box 710, Winterport,
cost of living was going up even faster. active fishing prior to 2004, it can not be
Maine 04496.
Basically, October, 2008 “sucked hairy transferred. Also, no more other area permits
woodpecker eggs” for me and only time can be transferred to Area #1. Now don’t
would heal but for the lobster industry, help forget about the tag transfer idea that’s being
was on the way. floated around out there. At one time, this
There came a group from the Southard was a free piece of paper and look what we
that was going to resolve, restructure and re- have here now! Now if you want an active
Publisher Jon B. Johansen
educate us lobstermen to save us all. You see, permit, it will cost you between $10 and
Editor-in-Chief Rachel Elward
these super heroes came and went to Au- $15,000.00! This is a look into the fu-
gusta to visit our illustrious leader of Maine ture$$$$$.
and proposed that for a fee, they can help. So Here is one more point. This same group
with the stroke of a pen, and orders for the fought “tooth and nail” about license trans-
Advertising Deadlines: The deadline for the January issue is 11 December. R.E.D. Board (license plates) for funding, a fers within a family to not be allowed, but was
The deadline for the February issue is 8 January. task force was formed to come to our rescue. all for limiting traps by how many lobsters
O.K., now we have this task force with that you catch. Well, not everyone has the
some industry members, all of which came same fishing bottom, but they did not care.
from Southern Maine, a furniture salesman They thought it was O.K. to keep their 800
MCN's Calendar
(no offense, Dana) and people from the mar- traps, but not anyone else. I think the diesel
keting arena. This group of people hired the smoke must be warpin’ their brains.
Moseley Group (from away) also represented O.K., I believe I have proven my point.
UPCOMING & ON-GOING EXHIBITS Renowned yachting historian by the former Kristan Millar, the ex-director of The price and market went to hell because
12 December 2009 – 18 April 2010 and author Llewellyn Howland III will the Maine Lobster Promotion Council, of everything went to hell and like me, it takes
Big Ships, Bulk Cargoes bring his vast knowledge of the grand which she quit after three years. The task time to heal; but how long?
Maine Maritime Museum steam yachts of the past to IYRS—as well force was to have their recommendations Well, I don’t know, but I feel that being
243 Washington Street as the stories of the colorful millionaires finished by April, 2009, basically four to five we’re here, let’s work on some new ideas. One
Bath, Maine who sailed them—for a fascinating months to due this research. But like any idea is to limit supply(we’re catching too
(207) 443-1316 evening that will explore these government task force, it took more time and many lobsters) and stop flooding the market.
megayachts of old. money. And what were the results? Nothing Another idea, find cheaper ways to ship
www.mainemaritimemuseum.org 7:30 pm we did not already know. lobster, of which I have been working on
IYRS Restoration Hall What really got me was the annual personally. One key to marketing a product
DECEMBER 449 Thames Street poundage fee idea. This proposal is $0.10 per is availability and quality, so let’s do it fish-
8 Fall Lecture Series at IYRS Newport, RI pound sur-charge to the promotion of Maine ermen! Here’s another tip, if a lobster has no
“The Ongoing Resurgence of Info: (401) 848-5777, x 222 lobster. Wow! Just what we need is another market value, don’t bring it in; case in point,
the J-Class” sur-charge! you catch a female lobster that is legal size but
Elizabeth Meyer JANUARY Whether the dealer or the fisherman with very poor claws (small or missing), v-
Elizabeth Meyer is known as one 7-10 Providence Boat Show pays, it is not good. If it is called a tax, a fee notch it. Send it back. Don’t deplete the
of the foremost experts on the undeniable RI CONVENTION CENTER or a sur-charge, it is just another way for the resource for low value.
allure of the J-Class racing sloops. Her Providence, RI state to bleed more revenue from the fishery. The bottom line is that we are all smart
five-year restoration of Endeavour not 225 Exhibitors over 300 Boats I also noticed that the price of our lobster enough and do not need to be bullied by some
only saved and resurrected this majestic J- from 8' to 40'; 150 booths with Electronics, licenses have gone up again. Thanks for the who just want things to go their way. We
Class yacht, but many believe this single Engines, Accessories & Services - help! don’t need to give away Ten Million dollars
restoration began a new era of classic- including Financing, Insurance, Storage, The one thing that makes me feel bad is just because. I believe that we can get more
yacht appreciation and restoration. J- Repair and Maintenance; that some people on the task force are good for less.
Class activity is taking place around the Demonstrations, Workshops and people and very smart, but unfortunately
world: Two notable replicas of the “Js” Seminars
graced Newport’s waters this past Hours: Thursday -4 PM to 9
summer, including Ranger (a replica of the PM; Friday - Noon to 9 PM; Saturday–10
1937 Cup winner Ranger) and Hanuman (a AM to 9 PM; Sunday–10 AM to 5 PM
replica of the 1937 challenger Endeavour Info: (401) 846-1115
II). Meyer made a recent trip to Europe to Or www.providenceboatshow
gather the latest information on the .com
ongoing resurgence of this historic class.
7:30 pm MARCH
IYRS Restoration Hall 19-21 Maine Boatbuilder’s Show
449 Thames Street Portland Yacht Services
Newport, RI Portland
Info: (401) 848-5777, x 222 Info: (207) 774-1067
15 Fall Lecture Series at IYRS
“The Great Steam Yachts”
Llewellyn Howland III
A view of Stonington.
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