A conversation featuring stories and lessons learned in town shellfish conservation projects
Shellfish Focus Day, part of the annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum, is a rare opportunity for shellfish harvesters, shellfish wardens, municipal officials, non-profit groups, researchers, and others to meet and talk about issues facing the shellfish harvesting community. This year, three webinar/radio programs addressed important topics in Maine’s shellfish fisheries, including shellfish conservation projects, the value of multiple forms of knowledge about intertidal fisheries, and opportunities and issues in shellfish markets and supply chains.
Mike Pinkham, Gouldsboro Shellfish Warden, and Sarah Hooper and Bill Zoellick of Schoodic Institute were part of a panel discussion on Monday February 22.
Listen to an edited recording of this event on WERU’s Coastal Conversations.
Watch a recording of the full session:
The topics included efforts to grow clam seed, using equipment like upwellers and lobster pounds, connections to water quality issues, and how people are working together to restore shellfish and mudflats. Through informal conversation and stories, people working on shellfish restoration projects from across the coast share information about what they have learned along the way. Other panelists include David Wilson and Scott Moody Jr. of Harpswell Marine Resources Committee, and Dan Devereaux, Brunswick Coastal Resource Manager. The program was hosted by Dr. Bridie McGreavy, University of Maine, Dept. of Communication and Journalism and the Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, and Natalie Springuel, Maine Sea Grant.