July 25, 2025 — The Lubec Fishermen’s Memorial Committee has caused an uproar in Lubec, Maine, after failing to include the names of two fishermen, Chester “Chet” Barrett and his son Aaron — who drowned off Trecott, Maine, on January 18 — to those being engraved into the memorial.
According to the exact wording of the committee’s criteria, fishermen must be “actively fishing” when lost in order have their names added to the stone sculpture near the town’s harbor. The Barretts were in transit between scallop grounds with gear on board, but were left off the list due to committee members’ unfamiliarity with fishing. According to Committee president, Barbara Sellitto, the committee was scattered, and she was traveling at the time the tentative decision was made.
While Sellitto maintained that no final decision had been made, the absence of the Barretts on the list cast a shadow on a wreath-laying ceremony held at the Lost Fisherman’s Memorial on July 21.
Liz Michaud, who founded the non-profit Green and White Hope after her nephew was lost lobstering, had announced that “Maine Governor Janet Mills has proclaimed July 21, 2025, as Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day. The day will be dedicated to honoring the losses within the commercial fishing community, especially given that Maine has lost four fishermen so far in 2025.”