A:  [0:00] You’re like oh, my gosh, do we have to take cover?

 

Q:  [0:03] Yeah.  I’m like let’s go.

 

A:  [0:10] What do we take the jeep or your truck, because the jeep pretty much is about 60 miles an hour too.

 

Q:  [0:15] Yeah, you got to take the truck because its got the back if we need to live out of it.

 

A:  [0:23] Oh, I’m, sorry.

 

Q:  [0:24] All right, OK, so let’s start with family background and identity.  How do you like to introduce yourself?

 

A:  [0:32] OK, how do I like to introduce myself?  These are really hard questions already.  (laughter) You edit this stuff right?

 

Q:  [0:47] If you want.

 

A:  [0:50] I guess I would introduce myself as a girl from the East Coast that loves to be by the water and family oriented.  And – yeah.  (laughter)

 

Q:  [1:09] That’s perfect.  Tell me about where you grew up.

 

A:  [1:13] So I actually grew up in Corea.  My grandparents raised me for the first five years of my life while my mom finished school and my dad finished school.  And that was the best years that I can remember and I think that’s why I continuously want to come back to this area.  Why I moved back home last year because I realized  that my heart is here.

 

Q:  [1:44] Where are your parents from and what do they do?

 

A:  [1:47] So my dad is from this area, from Corea, he’s a lobsterman and my mom is from this area, she’s in Connecticut but I don’t really have contact with her.

 

Q:  [2:04] OK and it sounds like you spent a lot of time with your grandparents.  What did they do?

 

A:  [2:09] They were lobstermen, lobster fishermen.  My grandfather went for awhile by himself and then when he got to be a little bit older then my grandmother ending up going on the boat with him.

 

Q:  [2:25] How long did they fish together for?

 

A:  [2:29] Oh my goodness, I don’t know the exact time but I do know that it was multiple years that they ended up going together.  And my grandmother can’t say anything better than being out there with him and it was just time that they still could spend together and just do the job.  And help one another.

 

Q:  [2:53] That’s awesome.  Do you have any siblings?

 

A:  [2:56] I do.  I have a lot of siblings, mixed family, brothers and sisters from all kinds of different branches.

 

Q:  [3:11] That’s great.  Do any of them live around here?

 

A:  [3:13] They do.

 

Q:  [3:14] Are any of them involved in the fisheries?

 

A:  [3:19] We’ll just keep going.

 

Q:  [3:20] OK, that sounds good.  Do you have any history of fishing in your family?  This kind of tied back to the –

 

A:  [3:27] Repetitive.  Yes.  Yes my dad, is a lobsterman and then my grandfather and then my grandmother.  I recently have just started to be interested in the boat when I moved back home.  Last year I didn’t have a job, so I ended up getting on the boat with my dad which – it was great to be out there except for tasting breakfast twice a day. And then I ended getting off of the boat but I missed it because there was just – the ocean has a healing power and just being out there too and being a part of it, it’s generational thing.   So it was a little bit more than just a job.  It was OK, I wonder how many seagulls were actually my grandfather coming to visit us on the boat.  (laughter) So and then my son actually came back from Farmington this summer to stay here and he’s on the boat with my dad as his stern man.  I fill in when he’s not available and he’s having a great time. Old wives tale another fisherman told out in Winter Harbor was to eat a green apple so I tried that – with ginger chews and I didn’t get sick.

 

Q:  [4:51] Awesome.  I haven’t heard that one.  Do you have any history of family in working in other roles in the fishing industry such as bookkeeping, fish processing, marketing or with bait or gear?

 

A:  [5:05] So my grandmother actually used to work at Stinson’s.  I believe my uncle also worked at Stinson’s for a little while, but she always has so many stories of when she was back there canning.  Just talking about her friends that she used to work with and the fact that they used to walk back and forth, and her lunch pail.  And it’s kind of neat to hear about everything like that.

 

Q:  [5:32] Yeah, did you ever work there?

 

A:  [5:33] I did not.

 

Q:  [5:35] OK, are you married?

 

A:  [5:37] No.

 

Q:  [5:38] Do you have any children?

 

A:  [5:39] Yes.

 

Q:  [5:41] How old are they?

 

A:  [5:42] They are 21 and 19.

 

Q:  [5:45] Do you want your children to go into fishing or a related marine industry?

 

A:  [5:51] I don’t know if I want them to but if they did I think it would kind of excite me because I feel like it’s becoming a loss within the generations because so many people don’t want to do it.  I was actually super excited when my youngest came to me and said I think I want to go on the boat with Gramp, do you think he’ll have me? Because there’s that possibility that he might get interested in it to the point where he would stay in it, even if it’s just a summer thing because I know that his main goal is to become a teacher.  So he could do that throughout the school year and then during the summer go fishing, which is really the time that would dad would need him anyway and my dad’s not getting any younger.  So that would be a huge help for him.

 

Q:  [6:43] That’s great.  What’s your dad’s boat’s name?

 

A:  [6:45] Courtney Leann.  (sp?)

 

Q:  [6:46] Is that your sister?

 

A:  [6:48] Sister.

 

Q:  [6:49] Oh.  All right, I’m going to switch into questions about your role in this sector.  How would you describe your role in the fishing or aquaculture industry in Maine?

 

A:  [6:59] So right now there’s not much of a role.  I did work at the Winter Harbor Co-op for a little while as a bookkeeper, which after being on the boat last summer with my dad it actually became full circle for me, because you were able to see the data input put in after the fishermen sold the lobsters to the co-op, to the point of the gear where fishermen coming in and ordering their gear and figuring out all of the different gear, compared to the shaft zincs to the knives that they use to the rubber pans, to the oil pans that they have to order.  So it was kind of cool to see that full circle because you knew – I already had experienced the catching the lobsters from the trap.  The measuring, the banding, the selling them to the co-op but I never knew what happened really after that, and within the office area you actually get to see that happen.  Not so much with the bait, I mean I saw it delivered and what the actual vats were and everything else, but yeah, everything kind of made sense at that point.

 

Q:  [8:25] And were you in charge of kind of figuring out where you guys were getting bait from?

 

A:  [8:31] I wasn’t, the manager was.  So and that was just from a couple of different companies that we were dealing with.  But I know Corea Co-op – with me staying at my grams I see a lot of the different trucks coming in.  As a matter of fact, I just met a gentleman a couple weeks ago who traveled all the way from Florida.  And I stopped to talk to him and asked him – because I saw his license plate, I said are you actually coming from Florida and he said yes I am.  I said holey moley, that is a long ways for bait.  And he’s like, yep it’s not my first trip either, I’ve been here before.  And I was like wow.  So –

 

Q:  [9:12] Yeah, that part’s super interesting, where the bait’s coming from and where the lobsters are going is totally a mystery for me because when you work for the co-op you pick it up and you drop it off at the end of the day.

 

A:  [9:24] Exactly.  Yeah, and I always thought that – because I know over in Winter Harbor we just dealt with local companies so to actually see somebody coming that far to deliver bait was interesting, and then you just wonder too is it because there’s not enough bait in this area, and why is that?  Is it a price thing and why is that?  So kind of raises questions to of anybody that’s interested in it and curiosity of hmm, why are we doing it a certain way.

 

Q:  [9:58] Totally.  Do you hold any commercial fishing licenses?

 

A:  [10:04] I do not.

 

Q:  [10:06] Do you have any experience in the industry beyond directly fishing or harvesting itself?  You mentioned bookkeeping and potentially did you work – do you work with your dad on any gear preparation.  I’ll go through the list –in bookkeeping, bait or gear preparation, in post harvest, processing, marketing, trade, in advocacy or community based organizations related to fisheries.

 

A:  [10:34] No, not really.  The only thing I do help out with is the LEEDS Program (sp?) with my dad at the end of the year.  Well, actually, throughout the year because he’s not technically inclined when it comes to some of the computer stuff, so I have helped him with that.  I’ve helped him a lot with some of the grants that have been coming about because of the December/January storms.  Which – that’s sad in itself just to see all the devastation and I really, really hope that they can get some help.  Just the little guys.  I know a lot of the concentration seems to be on the bigger guys, but you can’t forget about the little guys either.

 

Q:  [11:20] Yeah, were you guys affected by the storms in January?

 

A:  [11:24] Yes, the wharf that has been there since I was a little girl is gone completely. And my dad actually was there videotaping it, watching it go.  So that was rough to get that text message of, she’s gone.  And that was actually the wharf that my dad had helped my grandfather build back in 1976.

 

Q:  [11:52] Wow.

 

A:  [11:53] So, yeah, it was, it was bittersweet because, it’s – there’s a lot of memories there and there’s a lot of work that had been done on that place generation-wise.

 

Q:  [12:09] Totally, I remember, when you interviewed your grandma, she talked about how she looks out the window and like, checks on the boats and if someone leaves their lights on she knows.

 

A:  [12:22] She is like the harbor queen.

 

Q:  [12:24] Yeah.  I’m sure it was hard to watch the storm this year, or in January.

 

A:  [12:29] Yes, because, she has, and she really is like the harbor keeper almost.  I mean, even when it’s going to rain it’s, oh, all the boats are pointing a certain way.  It’s going to rain.  Oh, there’s starting to turn.  Maybe it’s not going to rain.  So, yeah, it was hard.  And I like the excitement of the storm.  I don’t know what it is.  But, there was an excitement there because of the storm, but then also the, I don’t want say grief, but you know what’s going to happen.  After you see some of the boats and like some of the dinghy’s leaving, getting off of the mooring, coming off the mooring – the wharves, the stuff starting to float by as you’re sitting there, you know, by the water.  That was, I can’t think of the term to use, but you just knew that it was going to be devastating for some of these people.  And that was kind of sad because it’s all rebuild from there.

 

Q:  [13:44] Can you go in a little more depth about what you mentioned about hoping that the little guys get more help?

 

A:  [13:51] So, I was actually going to write an article into, the news, whether it be the news station or the newspaper because I feel like there’s been bills that have been put out there that, or even the grants, going through the last grant, helping my dad.  Some of the questions that were on that questionnaire, was, is this a working waterfront?  How many people are on this waterfront and it’s all geared towards 10 plus.  And a lot of the times, that’s not what you’re dealing with. You’re only dealing with a wharf that has the captain and the stern man. And actually, I mean, a lot of the times the stern man aren’t even really working on that wharf, it’s the captain that’s working on that wharf.  I do think I believe, no, don’t quote me, but I do believe there are some wharves that there’s a couple people that are working on them.  But those are the little guys and the bigger guys are so commercialized already that, not saying that they don’t deserve help in rebuilding, but I just don’t think that we should – I’m trying to be politically correct. I feel like they’re already in the limelight so much and that we can’t just let the little guys just go under it because a lot of these guys are, this is their livelihood.  This is what they, this is their income.  This is their home life so if we don’t help them sometimes with these bigger amounts of costs for rebuild, what are they going to do?  Like are they going to be able to continue to fish?  Are they going to be able to have the ease to be able to go down to their wharf and hold their traps there and work on their traps, come spring time ready for the summer season or winter time ready for – although most of them are in the garages during the winter time.  But I know that last spring when I came home, that’s where I found my dad was down on the wharf working on his traps and getting them ready for the next season.  So without that, then where do they go?

 

Q:  [16:33] What does an average day of work look like for you?  I know you’re in a bit of a transition, so you can kind of go with that question wherever you’d like.

 

A:  [16:40] OK, so let’s, let’s do it two different ways here.  So my average day, if I’m on the boat with my dad filling in, then I have gone to bed at 8.30, 8:00 or 8.30 because 4 o’clock mornings suck.  And I’m up and actually staying with my grandmother at this point.  She’s up as well saying, come on honey, you got to move, you got to remember your lunch, you got to remember this.  Don’t forget this, you got to get out there, he’s going to be waiting for you.  I think it’s excitement for her to be able to relive that a little bit.  So yes, up at 4:00, 4.30, getting something to eat, hurriedly, because then I’m also taking care of my grandmother and getting her ready for the day before I leave and then headed out to the boat.  Because normally I make my lunch the day before or it’s literally a protein bar, a banana and something else that I just grab and run with, and then go meet him. If I’m lucky, he’ll pick me up at the co-op and I don’t (inaudible).  (laughter) And then on the boat and getting the bait bags ready as we’re heading out and getting everything else, the crates ready for the lobsters, the other little crate by the water tank for the selects, just helping him out.  So that way some of the other things he doesn’t have to worry about.  And then if I’m not on the boat, then it’s waking up, getting myself ready, getting my grandmother ready for the day.  And I do have some cleaning jobs that I have right now, so then I leave about 8:00, 8:30 and headed off to go clean for however many hours.  And hopefully we’ll see if some of the interviews come into play and are a success, then I’ll be working in Ellsworth, then I’ll be working with families.

 

Q:  [18:55] Wow, that’s exciting.  What’s your favorite part about working on the boat?

 

A:  [19:00] Joking around with my dad and getting some time back that we haven’t had in the past.  And kind of that connection and being out on the water.  I absolutely love being out on the water.  Oh, and what comes up in the traps, because every trap is different and it’s that adventure of just what’s going to be in that one and there’s so many different little creatures out there and it’s fun, it’s childish, it’s youthful.

 

Q:  [19:30] So totally.  Yeah, it’s kind of like pulling up a present, especially when there’s a bunch of seaweed on it and literally you’re unwrapping it.

 

A:  [19:38] Exactly.  Last summer, the whole dashboard or whatever you would want to call it in the boat was covered in all of the starfish that we ended up getting.  And it just reminded me a lot of my childhood because I had starfish all over the place, dried crab shells all over the place.  So yeah, it’s a surreal feeling, I guess.

 

Q:  [20:06] Totally.  And the dynamic that you have with your dad is probably really special, too.

 

A:  [20:12] Absolutely.  Yes, for sure.  Because we can joke around and but then also know that there’s a job to be done.  And he’s actually taught me a lot since being on the boat.  He did say I was a fast learner so maybe it’s just in my blood.  Yeah, it’s fun.  It’s fun to be out there.  And actually I miss it when I’m not out there.  I don’t always miss the bait smell, but – (laughter)

 

Q:  [20:41] Totally.  How do you feel your background or identity shapes your work in the fishing sector, including how others perceive or treat you?

 

A:  [20:51] So I think my background, it hasn’t been easy.  And I’ve had to work a good majority of my life.  Things were a little different when I was married.  But growing up wise, I had to be strong.  And I think in this industry, you do need to be strong.  And you need to have to work.  You want to have to work, because it’s physically laboring.  It’s not – like my son just started.  And the other day he was talking to me and he said, there’s a lot to this.  And I said, Yeah, it is, buddy.  He goes not just physically but you really have to be paying attention to everything.  And I’m like, yeah, you do.  It’s like there’s a lot of elements here.  I said, there is.  So yeah, and I forgot part of the question that you asked.  (laughter)

 

Q:  [22:02] That’s great.  If it guides you somewhere, that’s awesome.  The question was, how do you feel your background or identity shapes your work in the fishing center, ppsector, including how others perceive or treat you?

 

A:  [22:14] So yes, I do.  I think you have to want to be a hard worker.  Be strong.  And I feel like part of my desire to be part of this is just from my background because I remember my grandfather and my grandmother coming in.  I used to run down to the wharf when I knew they were coming in to meet them, to meet my dad at times.  So this was later on in life meeting my dad.  Yeah.  So it’s just, it’s a comfort feeling.  It’s – yeah.

 

Q:  [22:49] Totally, like you said, it’s in your blood.

 

A:  [22:50] I guess so.  Yeah.

 

Q:  [22:54] How does your role in the fishing sector work with your family or caregiving responsibilities?

 

A:  [23:01] I don’t really, I mean, it just, there’s no really effect.  It just all works.  It just blends and we all, I mean, we all understand that I guess.  And I still learn  things every day that I, that I don’t know because I have been away and just coming back into this area newly wise recently.  So yeah, I don’t, I don’t really think it has any effect except for the fact that it just kind of puts us all on the same page and we kind of understand where we’re all coming from.

 

Q:  [23:37] Sounds good.  All right.  I’m going to shift to questions here towards environment changes. Can you describe any changes in the marine environment that you’ve noticed?

 

A:  [23:53] And I have to be politically correct.

 

Q:  [23:55] You don’t have to be.

 

A:  [23:59] Oh, so of course you hear a lot about environmental factors from the news and everything.  I don’t always agree with all of that.  And I feel like sometimes the fishing industry is under attack and I don’t think it’s right.  And I feel like some of the sciences that are out there that they’re not genuine and it’s not, it’s not right.  It’s not fair.  I think in this aspect with any job before making assumptions or conclusions, you really need to be going to the source and asking questions and seeing what is going on.  Because just going out there for somebody that doesn’t really know what’s going on, you can’t make those assumptions and putting them out there nationally because then it just makes a huge chaotic mess when certain things aren’t really going on.

 

Q:  [25:22] How do those changes impact your work?

 

A:  [25:27] So there’s a lot more regulations that are out there at this point – our to do lists that are out there at this point.  And then I have heard that there’s even more on the forefront that they may have to be dealing with.  And in the end, it really does cause a lot more headache for these fishermen to have to deal with.  And it could also start to kind of minimize this whole industry.  And there’s a lot of fishermen in this industry and it’s sad to think that their livelihood could be cut short because of unnecessary changes.

 

Q:  [26:20] Have you noticed this frustration with most fishermen that are part of the co-op or your dad or  –

 

A:  [26:29] Almost every fisherman that I’ve talked to, yes, they all voice the same concern.

 

Q:  [26:36] Is there anything you’ve tried or have seen people try in response to cope or adapt to these changes?

 

A:  [26:45] I think some people are just trying to do the best that they can.  I know that I did help out a fisherman over in Winter Harbor.  He was not technically savvy whatsoever, so I would end up helping him with his daily  –

 

Q:  [27:08] Landings?

 

A:  [27:09] Yes, it wasn’t the landings though.  It was the new VTR system that they have out there, the VTR number.  So I would end up helping him with that because he had no idea how to do it because he’s older and he’s not from a generation that dealt with tablets and phones and all that stuff.  As for some of the other guys, they’re just trying to get through it as much as they possibly can just to stay within compliance.

 

Q:  [27:48] Have you, are there any other kinds of resources or training organizations out there that you’ve seen that help people with learning how to navigate the new regulations?

 

A:  [28:00] I do know I was speaking with one gentleman from DMR that he was going to be coming down to the co-op to meet with some of the fishermen to help them and guide them through a lesson per se for the VTR numbers.  Some of the other like leads of the landings reports they’ve been doing I guess for a while now.  So I think some of that is just old hat for the guys but some of the newer stuff coming up.  I do feel like there might be some help out there that I’ve seen anyway.

 

Q:  [28:39] What is your biggest concern about the marine environment for the future of Maine’s coastal fisheries and aquaculture industries?

 

A:  [28:55] I think my biggest concern is kind of a repeat of what I’ve already said is that this is a livelihood in Down-East Maine.  And once that’s taken away, if it’s taken away because of all these regulations and these – they’re like hiccups or barriers that are being put out there every single day sometimes it seems like.  What is going to happen to it?  It’s just going to close up shop and then what do all these people do? Because you’ve got older generations, then you’ve got your middle-aged generations and then you’ve got some of the younger generations that are coming up into this whole thing and that’s where I mean you’ve got your older generation that are going to be retiring.  Your middle age is going to end up moving into that section of the retirement.  Then you’ve got your younger generations coming up which soon will be within the middle age so it’s a continuous flow.  Some of these regulations that are coming out and if they do cause so much chaos to a lot of people that I have even known a few people that have not done it per se but they’ve verbalized it.  I’m done.  I’m just going to throw it in.  I’m throwing the towel in.  Then your numbers are going to minimize and then what happens.  It’s just going to be gone.  It’s going to be a lost industry.

 

Q:  [30:38] Have you noticed if it affects people differently regarding how big they fish if they’re like you said smaller guys or if they’re a part of something a bigger?

 

A:  [30:55] I mean I know some guys that have multiple crew on the boat and then I know some guys that go by themselves or just have just a stern man and I guess they call it the first guy.  I don’t know, politically correct or anybody that’s listening to this, they’re going to be laughing going she doesn’t have a clue.  But I do feel like I mean everybody’s had their own opinion and everybody’s had their own comments about certain things and some things that’s oh well whatever we’re just going to keep doing what we’re going to be doing until you know they shut us down, where others they gripe but then they just continue on with their day.

 

Q:  [31:43] If you could tell policymakers what the biggest priorities should be to help people adapt to the environmental changes what would you tell them?

 

A:  [31:54] Can you repeat that again?

 

Q:  [31:55] If you could tell policymakers in Maine what the biggest priorities should be to help people adapt to the environmental changes what would you tell them?

 

A:  [32:05] I think they need to go to the source because at this point I feel like there’s not a lot of people going to the actual fishermen and asking questions.  I don’t feel like they are, I don’t think that the correct avenues are being taken.  It’s certain – I don’t want to get in trouble for saying what I’m saying  – (laughter)

 

Q:  [32:43] You’re OK.

 

A:  [32:47] I feel like there is a lot of assumptions and I feel like there is just like it’s almost like somebody’s just grabbing something out of the air and running with it.  Oh let’s grab this for today and run with it.  And there’s not really any research and there’s not really any genuine scientific data that’s being collected.  It’s not going out on the boat.  I believe one of the conversations going on right now is that there’s not a lot of eggers is what they say.  There’s not going to be a lot of reproduction.  I just went out on the boat to help get my son acclimated with it and that day that we were out there I don’t know how many eggers we found and they’re not all big, some of them are smaller.  So you, I mean anybody that’s paying attention and that is using common sense can see that those younger lobsters, if they’re already reproducing now, they have many, many, many more years to reproduce.  And it’s proven right there.  So instead of grabbing something out of the air maybe or going along false research or just get on the boat, get on a boat, go out for the day and see what comes up.  And actually be part of it.  And then go with your research.

 

Q:  [34:35] I think it also seems like historically lobstermen have always taken the initiative to protect and make sure that there’s a good future in store in the fishery.

 

A:  [34:49] Yes.  Absolutely.  Yeah, I do think they do that.

Q:  [35:01] Have you participated in any climate resilience or adaptation training or programs for the fishing industry?

 

A:  [35:08] No.

 

Q:  [35:10] What strategies do you think would be effective in building resilience against climate related impacts for fisheries?

 

A:  [35:16] I have no idea.  (laughter)

 

Q:  [35:22] Are there other –

 

A:  [35:23] You can skip that question.

 

Q:  [35:25] Are there other types of changes that are impacting your work that you want to tell us about?  So not just environmental, but it could be access to working waterfront or changes in demographics or –

 

A:  [35:48] Well, I know like with the storms, I do feel like there are environmental changes that are happening.  But I do think it’s natural environmental changes that are happening.  Like I have noticed that the tides just seems so much higher than what I ever remembered.  So with that aspect of things, like with some of the wharfs that were damaged and everything, I think some of the fishermen do have to take into consideration that they’re going to have to build higher.  They may have to make them a little bit sturdier.  Now some of the other access – I’m totally getting lost in my thought. (laughter)

 

Q:  [36:48] That’s good.

 

A:  [36:49] No, it’s not good because I forgot what I was even talking about.

 

Q:  [36:54] You were talking about the changes that you’ve noticed and how people are adapting to them.  So you said –

 

A:  [37:01] OK, yeah.  Yeah.  I would just keep it at that, because other than that, I don’t really – I’m trying to think of like some of the things my dad’s mentioned.  But some of the other things I don’t – I mean, that’s just one thing I’ve noticed is the tides.  I do think some stuff with some of the changes that are going on.  Like I said, I think they’re natural.  But then some of the other changes that are going on, I don’t really know what’s going on.  I can’t put my finger on it, but I don’t trust them.  I don’t trust it because some of it just doesn’t seem possible for some of this stuff.

 

Q:  [37:43] Like what?

 

A:  [37:45] You already know where I’m going with this.  (laughter) That’s why you ask me like what?  Like a lot of these – a lot of the sea life that are just coming up dead.  It’s weird how some of this stuff is going on.  But then you wonder if it’s even true because – sorry, but I feel like you can’t trust the news nowadays.  You’re not getting a news report.  You’re getting a – how can we conform these people into thinking the way that we want to think?  How can we make a bunch of activists out of a topic to have more numbers to be able to be against a certain thing?  That’s what I can’t put my finger on.  And it drives me crazy sometimes because I just wish that I could put my finger on it.  Because it’s too weird that all of a sudden certain things are happening.  Who knows?  I mean, it could be that the whales are just time – it’s their time to go.  That some of the fish that are popping up, it’s just their time to go.  But then there’s other parts that I’m like some of it doesn’t make sense.  And again, like I said, is it real or is it just a news report that’s not real?

 

Q:  [39:40] That’s hard to navigate.

 

A:  [39:41] Yeah, absolutely.  No pun intended.  (laughter)

 

Q:  [39:46] Can you tell me about any opportunities or positive changes you’ve experienced in the industry during your time?

 

A:  [39:53] And some opportunities or positive changes?  You know, I think I wouldn’t – I don’t know if I would say any opportunities, but I would say the positive changes. It does seem like everybody’s on board together.  And they are – in it is one, all of the fishermen are pretty much in agreeance with each other.  And I think that’s where I kind of get like goosebumps a little bit about it because that’s where the community comes involved.  And that’s where they come together and work together and fight together for something that obviously is a love for a lot of these guys and women.

 

Q:  [40:51] Totally.  Have you noticed more participation among women?

 

A:  [40:58] Absolutely.  Yes, definitely.  And I think it’s actually kind of cool because it is fun out there.  And let’s enjoy it.  I enjoy it.  That’s what really honestly a job is all about.  You need to enjoy what you’re doing.  And I think with some of the women to have the confidence to get out there, especially captains of the boat.  I mean, I – kudos to them because I think it’s awesome.  But yeah, I think it’s a great thing to have the women – a lot more women coming into this industry.  For one, I think it can kind of provide a different aspect for some of the outsiders as well that it’s possible and it’s happening.

 

Q:  [41:55] Totally.  That’s exciting.  What is your hopeful vision for the future of Maine’s coastal fisheries?

 

A:  [42:04] I hope it can remain as is, old school.  I mean, granted, everything changes.  I get that.  But let’s not put so many regulations down and have so many changes that you make it impossible for these people to do their job.  Many of these guys, many of these women have been getting up every day for years.  And this is – again, I mentioned it before, this is their livelihood.  So it needs to continue on so that way they can continue on with their livelihood.  And then also be able to have some of these younger generations be able to carry that through.  I mean, these are family generations that are going to be continuously passed down.

 

Q:  [42:59] Is there anything else you wanted to share?

 

A:  [43:02] I don’t think so.  (laughter) Because I feel like it’s been all – a mess already. (laughter)

 

Q:  [43:08] It’s been wonderful.  Thank you, I’ll stop the recording

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