Webinar 58 - Thursday, September 28, 2023
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Webinar 58: What is Maine without Lobster?
Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023 Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Description: The lobster industry is woven into the fabric of our state’s identity and critical to Maine’s overall economy. But this centuries-old fishery faces challenges that some say could lead to the end of this iconic industry. One of the most pressing issues the industry faces is the impact of regulations intended to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale. A federal appeals court recently ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the lobstermen, finding that the federal government abused its rule-making discretion and over-regulated Maine’s lobster industry. Yet, the fight isn’t over. The unfair regulations led to a ‘red-listing’ from environmental groups advising against purchasing Maine lobster that remains in place and is impacting the demand for Maine lobster. Additional federal regulations will be implemented in 2028. What does the future hold for one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world? Join a panel of industry experts as they discuss what is being done to ensure a vibrant fishery for the next generation of Maine fishing families. Panelists: Marianne LaCroix Marianne is executive director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative, an organization that promotes Maine Lobster to markets worldwide and is funded by lobstermen, dealers and processors in Maine. She has been with the Collaborative since 2006 and its director since 2019. Prior to joining the Collaborative, Marianne worked in advertising agencies in Boston and Maine, primarily marketing seafood brands including Norwegian Seafood and Chilean Salmon. Curt Brown Curt is a lobsterman from Cape Elizabeth and a marine biologist at Ready Seafood in Saco. He spent nine years as part of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute Research Team. He has an MS in Marine Biology, and earned an MS in Marine Policy from UMaine in 2007. Curt earned his BA in History and a BS in Biology from Union College in 2002. Patrice McCarron Patrice is Policy Director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, the oldest and largest commercial fishing organization on the East Coast working proactively on issues that affect the lobster industry through state, regional, and federal management processes. Patrice is respected as a major resource for the Maine lobster industry and the challenges it faces. She serves on several boards including the Lobster Research, Education and Development Fund and Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team. She is former president of the Maine Lobstermen’s Community Alliance; a non-profit sister organization of the MLA. Patrice formerly served as executive director of the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation, worked on fisheries issues for the New England Aquarium, and was Director of the Marine Environmental Research Institute’s Resource Center. |
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Additional online resources:
- Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative: www.lobsterfrommaine.com
- Maine Lobstermen’s Association: www.savemainelobstermen.org
- Issue: Maine Lobster & Right Whales: https://rightwhalesandmainelobster.com/