Jamie Cournane

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.

A haddock disaster with Dr. Jamie Cournane

Colleen Coogan

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.

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.

Colleen Coogan and NOAA's Take Reduction Team

Megan Ware

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.

Menhaden Updates with Megan Ware of Maine Department of Marine Resources

Patrice McCarron

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 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

MLA's Patrice McCarron with Right Whales and Lobster Legal Updates

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

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 <a href="http://www.mainecoastfishermen.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.mainecoastfishermen.org</a>

New Bedford Light's Will Sennott On Private Equity in New England's Fisheries

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."

Fishery Friendly Climate Action

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.

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.

On Demand Fishing Gear

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.

On Gentrification in Maine

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.

Scallop Electronic Monitoring in the Gulf of Maine

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.

Fish Wrap: 30x30 and the Fishing Industry

A podcast about commercial fishing, the people, the places, and the environment of coastal Maine. Maine Coast Dock Talk is a project of the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association.

A lot of people probably don&#39;t spend their time wondering about the inner workings of the fishing industry, but if you&#39;d like to learn more and have long drives or long housecleanings ahead of you, what a wonderful topic to learn more about to impress people at parties!

A great look into Maine's commercial fishing industry

I am an avid podcast listener and if you have any interest in anything ocean and commercial fishing, this podcast is very interesting and has a much better than expected sound quality! I wish there were many more episodes!

Well worth a listen

A podcast about commercial fishing, the people, the places, and the environment of coastal Maine. Maine Coast Dock Talk is a project of the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association.

Maine Coast Dock Talk

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.

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.

Working Waterfront Part 1: The Perfect Port

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

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

The Maine Scallop Lottery

John Bullard

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 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.

Episode 7: A Conversation with John Bullard, Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator, NOAA Fisheries

Barton Seaver

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!

Episode 4: The importance of eating seafood with Barton Seaver, chef and author

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

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 <a href="https://www.mainecoastfishermen.org/single-post/A-potential-change-to-lobster-licenses-in-Maine-DOCK-TALK-PODCAST" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.mainecoastfishermen.org/single-post/A-potential-change-to-lobster-licenses-in-Maine-DOCK-TALK-PODCAST</a>

A potential change to lobster licenses in Maine

Gladden Schrock

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.

Episode 6: A History of the Herring Industry with Gladden Schrock

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 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.

Working Waterfront Part 3 - A Way of Life

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.

Portland Working Waterfront Update SHORT

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, 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.

Working Waterfront Part 2 - Rising Tide

Nick Battista

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.

Episode 5: Marine Spatial Planning with Nick Battista

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