U.S. Senator Susan Collins attended the annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum dinner at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, where she met with fishermen and industry stakeholders to discuss Maine’s commercial fishing sector. The event brought together hundreds of attendees, including leaders such as Maine Fishermen’s Forum President Hank Soule, Vice President Katie Werner, Maine Sea Grant Director Gayle Zydlewski, Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Carl Wilson, and Maine Lobstermen’s Association Executive Director Patrice McCarron. During the evening, Senator Collins donated a flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol for auction.
“The Maine Fishermen’s Forum dinner is an important opportunity each year to hear directly from the men and women who make their living on the water and to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our state’s fisheries,” said Senator Collins. “From lobstermen to seafood processors, this industry supports thousands of jobs and is central to the heritage and economy of our coastal communities. I appreciated having the chance to speak with fishermen and industry leaders about the issues affecting their livelihoods and to hear how I can best support Maine’s fishing community.”
Senator Collins, who serves as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure provisions in recent appropriations legislation aimed at supporting Maine’s fisheries and coastal economies. The legislation allocated $80 million for the National Sea Grant Program following her intervention last year when funding for the Maine Sea Grant program was threatened by defunding from the Department of Commerce. Additional funding included support for North Atlantic right whale research and monitoring as well as investments in fisheries data collection and cooperative research intended to improve science used in fisheries management decisions.
The Maine Fishermen’s Forum has convened annually for 51 years, providing a platform for fishermen, regulators, scientists, and industry leaders across Maine to address policy, research, and economic matters relevant to commercial fishing.
