Senator Collins Attends Fishermen’s Forum Dinner

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ROCKPORT, ME - Last night, U.S. Senator Susan Collins attended the annual Maine Fishermen's Forum dinner at the Samoset Resort in Rockport and spoke with fishermen and industry stakeholders about Maine's commercial fishing sector. Hundreds of attendees joined leaders from across Maine's fishing industry at the event, including 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 (MLA) Executive Director Patrice McCarron. Senator Collins also donated a flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol for auction during the event.

"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."

As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins secured several key provisions in recently enacted appropriations legislation to support Maine's fisheries and coastal economies. The legislation provided $80 million for the National Sea Grant Program, which comes after Senator Collins intervened last year to restore funding for the Maine Sea Grant program after the Department of Commerce announced it was being defunded. The legislation also included funding for North Atlantic right whale research and monitoring, and investments in fisheries data collection and cooperative research to help improve the science and data used to inform fisheries management decisions.

The Maine Fishermen's Forum, now in its 51st year, brings together fishermen, regulators, scientists, and industry leaders from across the state to discuss policy, research, and economic issues affecting Maine's commercial fishing industry.

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