Richard Nelson is a retired lobsterman out of Friendship, ME. He moved to Maine to continue a musical instrument repair business, but the ocean view from the window of his shop called him out onto the water. He tells the story of how he started out helping and learning from a long-time lobsterman while slowly building up his own equipment and credibility in the community. He also explains how he uses his experience working in other places to advocate for Maine’s fishing communities, regional ocean planning, and sustainable ocean use through writing, participating in committees and working groups, and petitioning representatives.