July 24, 2026 — From Portland to Pleasant Point, 10 communities came together July 21 to honor the lives of commercial fishermen lost at sea in Maine’s first statewide celebration. Boothbay Harbor held a ceremony at the Fishermen’s Memorial with speakers including Gov. Janet Mills, and White and Green Hope Founder and Downeast native Liz Michaud.
Signed into law by Mills in March, Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day was spurred on by Michaud following the deaths of four Downeast fishermen in 2025, and the loss of her 18-year-old nephew Tyler exactly three years ago. Tyler had recently graduated from high school and planned to attend Maine Maritime Academy.
“It wasn’t until I lost my nephew … that it really hit me hard that there isn’t the acknowledgment or appreciation of the danger (of commercial fishing) … Tragedy strikes people in different ways, and that’s the way it struck my heart to take some action,” said Michaud in a pre-event interview.
In addition to honoring lost fishermen, her organization works to improve survival through education, safety awareness, community collaboration and the advancement of lifesaving practices and technologies.