Maine Coast Dock Talk

In the summer of 2024, the US Supreme Court struck down the "Chevron Doctrine" in a case brought by a group of New Jersey herring fishermen. In this episode, Ben Martens interviews Andrew (Drew) Minkiewicz, an attorney at Black Point Maritime Law, about what this might and might not mean for fisheries.

Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is a method of detecting and monitoring species by collecting their DNA from environmental samples like water, soil, or air. Ben Martens chats with Emily Pierce and Alex Ascher about their research into eDNA and the application of this emerging data collection process for Maine's fisheries.

Dr. Dave Reidmiller joins the podcast to discuss a recent study out of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution which found that the Gulf Stream is warming and weakening. Ben and Dave give an overview of the importance of the Gulf Stream, why a warming Gulf Stream is a weaker Gulf Stream, and what that could mean for the Gulf of Maine, the Atlantic Ocean, and the rest of the world. We also throw some cold water on the “Day After Tomorrow" scenario that some alarmist publications have suggested is happening. More Info at the MCFA Blog https://www.mainecoastfishermen.org/post/podcast-a-weakening-gulf-stream-with-david-reidmiller

Dr. Jamie Cournane of the New England Fishery Management Council joins Ben Martens to talk haddock. The most recent stock assessment indicates that fishermen need to cut their catch by over 80% as the biomass is lower than previously thought. Dr. Cournane walks us through the stock assessment process, what might have gone wrong, and what the future looks like for this important fishery.

Colleen Coogan of NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, joins Dock Talk to give an update on the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team's work to protect northern right whales. What's on the table? How is the Take Reducation Team determining "risk" to right whales? Who is ultimately making regulation decisions? And how can fishermen engage in the process? To learn more about this issue. Listen to our previous episode Dock Talk with Patrice McCarron of the Maine Lobstermen's Association.

Menhaden has been referred to as the "most important fish in the sea" in reference to its role as forage in the Atlantic. Its importance to Maine's working waterfront is much more nuanced as it's only recently returned to Maine waters but has already become of outsized importance as forage and bait in the Gulf of Maine. In this episode of Maine Coast Dock Talk, Ben Martens talks with Megan Ware of the Maine Department of Marine Resources to better understand what's happening with menhaden.

The Maine Lobstermen's Association's executive director Patrice McCarron joins Dock Talk to give an update on three lawsuits moving forward regarding the future of the commercial lobster fishery in Maine in response to a call to protect right whales. Right whales are a critically endangered species in the Atlantic and NOAA fisheries have started to develop and implement new rules and regulations to try and protect the whales from extintion. Environmental activists and fishing associations both have concerns about the process, and as such have filed three separate lawsuits in response to decisions that have been made and the data behind those decisions. Patrice gives a breakdown of where we are, and some of the concerns she has for the future of the Maine lobstering community

The New Bedford Light and ProPublica recently released a special report entitled "How Foreign Private Equity Hooked New England's Fishing Industry" written by Will Sennott. Will Sennott joins MCFA's Ben Martens in this episode of Dock Talk to talk about his article and what it might mean for the future of New England's iconic groundfish fishery. Find a link to the article on the MCFA blog at www.mainecoastfishermen.org

Sarah Schumann is a 15+ year veteran of the Rhode Island and Alaska seafood industries as well as a passionate advocate for the ocean ecosystems that sustain wild fisheries. In this episode of Dock Talk, Ben Martens interviews Sarah about her latest project the "Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign."

In 2021, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries in partnership with Homarus Strategies began a one-year investigation into the issues and conflicts surrounding the integration of on-call fishing gear (another term for “ropeless”) technology in New England. MCFA's Ben Martens interviews Noah Oppenheim on the report and they dive into where the technology is, what fishermen are concerned about, and what the future looks like for implementation.

NOAA Fisheries Science Center recently released a story map titled the "Social Indicators of Gentrification Pressure" which explores how gentrification is affecting 29 fishing communities in the Northeast United States. Eight different Maine communities were highlighted in this work so we invited Matthew Cutler, PhD or Rose Jimenez, MA, MPhil to join us to chat about their work.

The Maine Coast Fishermen's Association has been working with scallop fishermen in the Gulf of Maine to pioneer an electronic monitoring program to collect data for the fishery. Learn more about this program and the work MCFA is doing to create a sustainable fishery for the next generation of Maine fishermen.

Maine Coast Dock Talk's first "Fish Wrap" dives into the concept of 30x30 and the impact that protecting 30% of the US oceans may have on fishermen. Ben Martens was joined by Leigh Habegger of Seafood Harvesters of America, Noah Oppenheim of Homarus Strategies, and Monique Coombs of the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association.

What are nutrient credits and how can they help revitalize Chesapeake Bay fishing communities while also cleaning up the bay? MCFA's Ben Martens interviews Johnny Shockley, a third-generation Maryland waterman, oyster aquaculturist, and founder of Blue Oyster Environmental about his work in creating a better future for the next generation of watermen on the Chesapeake. We also get an update from Monique Coombs on the impacts of COVID-19 on Maine's working waterfronts.

In mid-April 2020, a federal judge ruled that NOAA fisheries had not been doing enough to protect right whales. How did we get here? What does this mean for Maine fishermen? Where do we go from here? Ben Martens interviews Patrice McCarron of the Maine Lobstermen's Association for some answers.

Maine Coast Fishermen's Association's Ben Martens talks Alan Tracy, CEO of Vessel Services. Vessel Services has a long history of supplying Maine boats with ice, fuel, and gear. In this Covid-19 free Pod, learn a little bit about how they were formed, what they are doing to evolve, and the optimism Alan feels about the future of fishing in Maine.

The Conservation Law Foundation has filed a petition demanding that the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Secretary of Commerce take immediate action to end overfishing of Atlantic cod. Ben Martens and Monique Coombs discuss what this actually means, what might be the impacts on Maine fishermen, and should you should still feel comfortable eating local cod?

Host Ben Martens answers a  listener question about the lottery system used to issue commercial scallop permit in the state of Maine. Why do we have it? Where did it come from? And what will be its impact on Maine fishing communities? Featuring music from Sara Trunzo

Ian Mayo of Mayo Enterprises sits down with host Ben Martens to talk about owning and maintaining Sturdivant's Wharf in Portland, ME. Eroding piers, crane operations, dredging, boat maintenance, fish, seafood and politics. What does it take to keep a wharf in Maine working?

In response to concerned fishermen who had started a city-wide referendum to limit the unconstrained and unplanned development along the working waterfront in Portland Maine, waterfront advisory group was created. In previous Dock Talk podcasts you heard from the fishermen, managers, and wharf owners about their concerns. Here's an update on what happened and where we are today.

Host Ben Martens sits down with Maine fisherman Terry Alexander to talk about the current issue facing right whales and the impacts that new rules and regulations may have on Maine's commercial fishing industry. You can learn more about this issues on our website. www.mainecoastfishermen.org

Ben Martens sits down with the Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Pat Keliher to talk about the future of Maine's commercial fisheries. What kind of impact will a reduction in bait, a push to protect migrating whales, development pressure, and climate change have on one of Maine's most iconic industries?

Host Ben Martens sits down with Rep. Jay McCreight to talk about a bill she has introduced in the Maine legislature which would change when someone can get a lobster license. Currently, fishermen who aren't young enough for the student program, have to sit on a wait list to enter the fishery. This wait can take as long as 20 years in some areas. The new bill by Rep. McCreight would allow anyone on the wait list over 10 years to enter the fishery. But with everything happening to the lobster fishery, is now the right time? You can read more about this story on our blog at https://www.mainecoastfishermen.org/single-post/A-potential-change-to-lobster-licenses-in-Maine-DOCK-TALK-PODCAST

In this podcast, we hear about the longtime struggle of the fishermen from the perspective of the fishing families, artists, and city stakeholders. The Perfect Port is part one of a three-part podcast series about the Portland Working Waterfront and the issues that have arisen between commercial fishermen, lobstermen, groundfishermen, and others over the state of Portland’s development currently.

In this podcast, we talk about the development of Commercial Street over time and the regulations that are intended to protect the commercial marine activities that take place out of the city. The Perfect Port is part one of a three-part podcast series about the Portland Working Waterfront and the issues that have arisen between commercial fishermen, lobstermen, groundfishermen, and others over the state of Portland’s development currently.

In this podcast, you will hear from two well-respected members of the fishing industry, Jim Buxton and Willis Spear, about their histories, how they have seen Commercial St. change in their time in Portland and the issues that they face presently. This podcast is dedicated to the fishermen themselves. The Perfect Port is part one of a three-part podcast series about the Portland Working Waterfront and the issues that have arisen between commercial fishermen, lobstermen, groundfishermen, and others over the state of Portland’s development currently.

Join us today for a thought-provoking interview with John Bullard, the Regional Administrator in charge of NOAA Fisheries from Maine to Cape Hatteras, NC. A native of New Bedford, Massachusetts (and the city's former mayor), John believes strongly that protecting the soul of New England means protecting our working waterfronts. Ben and John discuss what makes fisheries management so hard and the new difficulties posed by climate change. Ben also shares the findings of a new study that demonstrate the impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation (or NAO, a short-term climate cycle similar to El Niño) on cod stocks in the northern Atlantic. Check out our website for more info on the NAO! PLUS: Monique tells Ben the very sad story of Larry the lost lobster. Photo of Mr. Bullard courtesy of GARFO.

Join us for this episode of Maine Coast Dock talk, where we take a trip down memory lane with fisherman Gladden Schrock. The interview you are about to hear is part of our Oral History Initiative. More histories can be found on the MCFA website.

This week Ben chats with the Island Institute's Nick Battista about marine spatial planning. Not many people know about marine spatial planning, but it has a huge impact on the way we all interact with the ocean, whether it's for fun or, like commercial fishermen, for our livelihoods. Ben and Monique also get into a debate about whether or not people will pay more for locally-sourced Maine seafood.

Join us for this very special episode of Maine Coast Dock talk, where Ben asks chef and author Barton Seaver why people should eat more fish. Barton, a new resident of Maine, specializes in seafood and has published two beautiful cookbooks on the subject (see MCFA blog for links). Ben and Monique will also discuss Ten Fishy Things To Do In Maine This Summer!

Join us for a fascinating interview with Anne Hayden of the Downeast Fisheries Partnership. On this episode of Maine Coast Dock Talk, Anne and our host Ben discuss the ways that forage fish populations connect Maine's rivers to the Gulf of Maine. Ben and Monique also explain why you should be eating even more seafood!

This week on Dock Talk, we'll discuss the recent controversy over the potential designation of a Marine National Monument in the Gulf of Maine with Michael Conathan, the Director of Ocean Policy at the Center for American Progress. Ben and Monique will also chat about the future of fisheries and seafood-flavored Kit Kats. Click the link below to view the mentioned map of the proposed Cashes Ledge Marine National Monument: http://www.mainecoastfishermen.org/#!Controversy-on-Cashes-Ledge-Episode-2-of-Maine-Coast-Dock-Talk/lv5yc/56fd7f380cf2fa22e0ea5723

Welcome to the docks! Join us for an introduction to life on coastal Maine's working waterfronts. Meet the staff of the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association and listen along as Executive Director Ben Martens interviews Gerry Cushman, a fifth-generation fisherman and lifelong resident of Port Clyde, a small fishing village on the coast of Maine.