Page 10. MAINE COASTAL NEWS December 2017 Commercial Fishing News D. E. L. A. - F D
From the Director - With the 2017 Season winding down
for the inshore fi shery, we are fi nding that the catch has been down approximately 20% from last year’s catch. There has been all kinds of discussion and speculation about climate change, global warming and who knows what else to give credit too…As an association, we have been in tune with this concern and have had a sit down discussion with Bob Bayer of the Lobster Institute and the new Dean of the University of Maine, Fred Servello. Our Vice President, Bob Fortin and I met at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast to discuss concerns and had a very good conversation with all involved at the meeting. For the most part, this year may be part
of the seven year turn around that can be very typical of a traditional season. Let’s hope that this is all that it is. Some have never experienced the
downfall and only had the “good times.” This can be very concerning if there is a large amount of overhead and lower prices. My belief is very traditional. The lower your overhead, the more profi t margin there should be. So large boat payments, insur- ance, higher bait prices, fuel and a larger crew to cover the boat can be very concern- ing if the catch is down. This is comparable with the 2008 season, but in that case, we had a glut during a time that it was hard to move the lobsters which resulted in low prices. For the most part, in an industry that depends a lot on “Mother Nature” we need to be prepared for any variable and be able to cover that “Rainy Day.” The Zone Councils are meeting at this time. The agenda is centered around the
Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. The meetings give an opportunity to hear a representative of the Collaborative discuss the strategy used to market Maine lobster and the results of an independent third party audit of the MLMC’s programs since its inception. The Maine Lobster Marketing Collabo-
rative sunsets in 2018, so everyone is urged to attend the meeting to hear the presenta- tion, and provide feedback to help inform the Lobster Advisory Council’s discussions about this. Based on the outcome of the audit and recommendations by the Lobster Ad- visory Council, the Marine Resources may submit a bill to the Legislature to reauthorize the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. There are a lot of variables that have
changed over the years, such as the shipping of lobsters to places such as China, a large export market that didn’t exist just a few years ago. Zone D received letters from Alpine
Ocean Seismic Survey, Inc., who will con- duct a geophysical survey for Maine Aqua Ventus on November 15 - November 19, west and south of Mack Point in Searsport, Maine. The survey will be used to identify a temporary assembly location for two fl oating wind turbines. The area will be used during the summer/fall 2019 and the spring of 2020. A gear compensation program has been established in case of accidental fi sh gear interference. If you have questions, please contact Matt Nixon, Survey Opera- tions Manager, 207 852-3528 and matthew.
nixon@maine.edu. We wish to off er condolences to our
President Hilton Turner and Board member Ethan Turner during the passing of their
In my quest to document as many lobster boats as I can, what can anyone tell me about this one I found in Harpswell.
MAINE BOATBUILDER’S SHOW 23, 24 and 25 March 2018
512 Warren Avenue, Portland 04103, Portland Sports Complex 1000 to 1800 Friday and Saturday and 1000 to 1600 on Sunday
Come see the fi nest wood and fi berglass boats in the Northeast! Come and meet the builders. Sail, power, canoes, kayaks and skiff s will all be on display.
mother and grandmother, Wilma Turner. DELA welcomes new member, Thom-
as Likos of Waianae, Hawaii! Welcome Thomas! There is always room for new members. We welcome new members and invite you to join us at our next meeting which is scheduled for Thursday, December 7th
at Primavera Restaurant in Ellsworth at
6:00 p.m. There is a membership form in the Maine Coastal News as well as on our web site:
downeastlobstermen.org. With the fi shery ever changing, we encourage your membership and participation in the fi shery that still belongs to the fi shermen. We are available to speak for our membership at all times.
Drop us a line and let us know your
concerns. My information is dassatt711@
yahoo.com and my direct line is 207 322- 1924. We are on Facebook as The Downeast Lobstermen’s Association and on the web as
downeastlobstermen.org. We are very busy at this time getting
ready for the next Maine Fishermen’s Forum, the Lobster Institute US/Canadian Town Meeting, the Maine Legislature com- ing up and a new election coming up once again to choose our next Governor of Maine. These are all very important happenings coming up in our near future. I look forward to seeing you soon, Sheila
Come see the boats, sail, power and paddle! Presented by Portland Yacht Services - (207) 774-1067
Come see the Accessories!
www.boatshow.portlandcompany.com
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