UMaine researchers and students share their science at the Maine Fisheries Forum – UMaine News

The Maine Fishermen’s Forum recognized the University of Maine Extension Group for their contributions more than the years, and particularly through the pandemic, when the occasion went virtual. The group received the forum’s Outstanding Service Award at this year’s forum to commemorate these efforts. L-R: Steve Train, Maine Fishermen’s Forum Board of Directors Jaclyn Robidoux, Maine Sea Grant (MSG) Afton Vigue, Maine Aquaculture Association Natalie Springuel, MSG Dana Morse, MSG Chris Bartlett, MSG Amalia Harrington, MSG Parker Gassett, MSG. Photo: Mike Young, Maine Fishermen’s Forum.

University of Maine students, researchers, Marine Extension group members and alumni have been amongst a lot more than two,000 attendees at the 48th Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport, March two-four. The annual 3-day occasion brings collectively fishermen, outfitters, scientists, government officials and other folks to share info and collaborate on all factors fishing: markets, resource status, regulations, the most up-to-date technologies, the atmosphere and a lot more.

UMaine’s Darling Marine Center, Aquaculture Analysis Institute, Lobster Institute, Maine Sea Grant and College of Marine Sciences have been amongst a lot more than 130 exhibitors at the forum.

“I had so a lot of exciting and entertaining conversations with men and women at the forum,” mentioned Lobster Institute Associate Director Chris Money. “Potential students, market members and neighbors came to chat — it really is a terrific atmosphere to share the University’s ongoing analysis and sources with the wider neighborhood and get feedback.” A lot of collaborations are formed as a outcome of informal conversations that commence in the forum.

UMaine faculty and students attended the occasion to study a lot more about Maine’s fisheries and fishing communities and share their science. Graduate students Phoebe Jekyllek and Kelsey Ward have been amongst the speakers at the session, which focused on coastal fisheries and aquaculture in Maine. Fishermen, scientists and other folks engaged in Maine’s marine economy function collectively to have an understanding of and assistance the human and ecological dimensions of this fishery and the possibilities for culture. The session, co-hosted by Jekielek, a senior scientist at the Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership, and Meggan Dwyer, associate director of the UMaine Aquaculture Analysis Institute, was an chance to reflect on decades of function and strategy for the future.

Lobster Institute Director Rick Wahle hosted a session on how lobster handling can be changed to lessen losses as they move from traps, to boats, and then onto trucks and planes via the provide chain. The session featured analysis by Professor Damian Brady from the College of Marine Sciences and postgraduate student Cassie Leeman. A second session focused on lobster science was convened by Maine Division of Marine Sources scientists, mainly Maine alumni, and integrated Amalia Harrington of Maine Sea Grant, who shared her function and that of a lot of researchers across the area funded via Sea Grant American Lobster Initiative.

Maine Sea Grant has a extended history of supporting the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, obtaining funded the inaugural occasion in 1976 as element of a collaborative project. In 2021, when the forum board decided not to host an in-individual occasion due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine Sea Grant Marine Corps Extension group, in partnership with forum board members and other partners, helped create and host the on-line sessions. They received the forum’s Distinguished Service Award this year to commemorate these efforts.

“Our coastal waters are shared by folks and communities with diverse interests.” The Maine Fishermen’s Forum gives an annual setting to talk about the challenges facing these communities,” mentioned Maine Sea Grant Director Gaile Zidlewski. “And for us, the forum is an chance to hear straight from the men and women we serve.” Zidlewski also serves on the Board of Directors of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum.

The 2024 Maine Fishermen’s Forum will be held February 29-March two in Rockport, Maine. Registration opens January 1, 2024. Understand a lot more at mainefishermensforum.org.

Get in touch with: Hannah Robbins, hannah.robbins@maine.edu, 207.581.1442 Christina Money, christina.money@maine.edu, 207.581.1443