The 35th Maine Fishermen's Forum took place at the Samoset Resort in Rockport over three days last week, bringing men and women of the state's lobster, groundfish, herring, scallop, and clam industries together with federal and state fisheries managers, scientists and environmentalists. While the forum had no main theme, the focus for many seemed to be survival in a changing regulatory and economic climate.
Senator Olympia Snowe – Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard – hosted a special "stakeholders" meeting on Friday afternoon at the Samoset with selected representatives of the state's fishing community. Accompanying Senator Snowe was Vice Admiral Robert Papp, who will relieve Admiral Thad Allen in May as the new commandant of the Coast Guard, and Eric Schwaab, newly appointed head of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
Snowe's purpose in calling the meeting was to "focus on critical issues impacting the U.S. Coast Guard, and the adverse economic impact current fishery management and law enforcement policies have on Maine's fishing industry." Snowe said she wanted those involved in Maine's fishing industries to directly express their concerns to the three officials. "It's critically important that there be an atmosphere of trust, and this is a step in that direction," said Snowe.