January 2012 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 11. Commercial Fishing News NEWSLETTERFROM DOWNEAST LOBSTERMAN ASSOCIATION From the Executive Director –


Here we are, at the end of another season and looking toward a new year. I’m hoping that all went well for you and your families. I’d like to thank each and every one of you for the cards and notes of support during the pass- ing of my Dad, Corliss Holland. Dad was true Downeast tradition, when my mother passed away in 2004; a part of him went with her. He was never the same but he was always Dad/ Bampa to his family. We sure miss him but his memory and legacy will live on. I’d also like to say that we know that he is at peace now. I have lost a little time here with my reports but am doing my best to get back on track. We did have a director’s meeting on November 10th at Jasper’s Restaurant in Ellsworth. This was at the time that most of the traps and boats were coming up for the season. The price (once again) was one of the reasons that a lot of traps came up early. We did think ahead and pick up before the glut was too severe this time. The results weren’t quite as bad a 2008, but the problems are still there and need to be worked on. I am happy to say that work is still going on in Augusta with the three lobster associa- tions concerning the Whale rule and the vertical line discussions for the zones. I have a meeting this week in Augusta with the association leaders with Acting Commissioner Pat Keliher. I do know that the Humane Society is once again suing the National Marine Fisheries. We have the sug- gestions of the zone leaders and the zone council meetings for this issue. Stay tuned, we will keep you informed!


I am also part of a Lobster Advisory Sub- committee that has been formed for further marketing suggestions. I missed the first meeting due to it was on the same day of my father’s passing. There is another follow-up meeting scheduled for January. If you have further suggestions for me to take to this meeting, please contact me. I’d be happy to bring your suggestions with me. As it was stated in our membership letter, a lot of the dealers are starting to join the MSC certifica- tion process. This is a matter of choice, but it will separate the “big dogs from the little dogs.” How do you feel about all of this? I really need to bring comments forward for everyone’s better interest.


I also have the information for sending your comments on Area 1. Please mark the outside of the envelope “Comments on Lob- ster Area 1 Proposed Rule” and mail it to:


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Robert Ross, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Comments must be received by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on January 3, 2012. The documents are also available online at http://www.nero.noaa .gov. If you have further questions, you can call Peter Burns at anytime at 978-281-9144. One thing that I would like to address as your director, first, I’d like to Thank Jon Johansen for sharing space with DELA in his newspaper. This is a big help to our associa- tion and we (the Board of Directors) are hoping that this will help everyone involved. With the economy as bad as it has been and seems to be getting worse instead of better, we are looking for DELA news to have more exposure in the Maine Coastal News. We will be looking at your contract ads to continue running and will also be working on more news on line if you would rather read the web. This is all a “work in progress.” With you understanding and patience, we will con- tinue to share our news and updates – pos- sibly even sooner that the once a month or seasonal newsletter that we have been send- ing.


I can’t stress enough how our member- ship does make a difference to our success in Augusta and the Federal government. But please, that isn’t all that we do. We care about all of our members and do the best that we can. Things don’t always go the way that we may want them to go, is this reason to quit or give up on one another? I’m saying this with diplomacy, but we are building up our DELA Scholarship Fund. It has taken time due to the majority of our donations are actually from within the association. Most recently, I asked if donations in memory of my Dad could go to the DELA Scholarship Fund.


We are still holding this open in memory of Corliss Holland and hope that this may also inspire others to join in. My entire family are members of the Downeast Lobstermen’s Association and proud of it. Please join in the “family” and renew your memberships and also remember the Scholarship Fund. We have almost met the goal of $2,000 and with your help; perhaps we can meet it and go beyond!


With an industry as large as ours, there is a very small percentage of those people who are members of an association. I feel that there are very few supporting members that are actually carrying the load to protect our entire industry. “That’s not fair.” A person can join whether they are a fisherman or a


concerned citizen that would just like to help. Our membership also spreads over the entire coast of Maine and adjoining states. We have some very loyal members in Massachu- setts, who believe in what DELA represents. I understand that not everybody has the time to be able to travel to all of the required meetings concerning our lobster industry. We represent you at the meetings. Standing around on the dock complaining won’t solve anything. I know that change is inevitable in today’s society and people are just not join-


ing or participating in associations or organi- zations; even the VFW’s and American Le- gion Posts and having a hard time finding leadership.


To me, there is nothing more important than our freedom of choice and the opportu- nity of being an independent fisherman. For some, it would be difficult to start punching a time clock when they are almost retirement age. This is a God given choice that I believe in and hope that you do too. See you around, Sheila


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