The 2025 Maine Fishermen’s Forum marked an important milestone—the 50th anniversary of the conference—and the energy throughout the convening reflected the importance of this gathering. The forum plays a critical role in bridging stakeholders across the industry, especially on the challenging topics like dealing with invasive species, preparing for looming right whale regulations, and tracking the latest fisheries data, lawsuits, and federal funding uncertainties.
Despite these pressing issues, the forum was full of forward-thinking conversations about solutions, resilience, and new opportunities for Maine’s fishing communities. Island Institute was honored to host a session where community partners joined us in launching our Future of Fishing initiative.
Resilience Through Business Support, Diversification, and Innovation
Over the past several years, in the face of mounting challenges, Maine’s fishing communities have been taking action. Thanks to a federal earmark from Senators Collins and King’s offices, Island Institute is partnering with these communities to provide solutions for fishermen navigating industry changes. When introducing the Future of Fishing initiative, Island Institute senior community development officer Jeff Frank emphasized:
“We’re not just trying to keep the lobster industry afloat—we’re giving fishermen the tools to thrive. This is about resilience, adaptation, and making sure coastal communities continue to prosper.”
Our partners from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE) helped introduce some of the resources launching through the Future of Fishing program:
- TIDE webinar series: SBDC’s Jenn Dobransky introduced this tailored resource for fishermen looking to refine business finance strategies, navigate tax preparation, and identify new funding opportunities. Register for a webinar here!
- Fishing Plus: This is a program designed to help lobstermen and their families explore alternative income streams, such as growing kelp or creating value-added seafood products, without disrupting their core businesses. As Emily Lane, MCE’s Seafood and Aquaculture Specialist and former Island Institute trustee, put it: “We’re not asking anyone to leave fishing behind. We’re giving them more ways to stay on the water while ensuring their families’ financial futures.”
- Profit Decoder: Is a financial management tool specifically tailored for lobster fishing businesses. Developed by the College of the Atlantic, this tool helps fishermen analyze their expenses, run different financial scenarios, and make informed business decisions. Island Institute will fund early adopters to receive a free year of service—a clear investment in the industry’s future. If you’re interested, sign up for updates here!
“We’re not asking anyone to leave fishing behind. We’re giving them more ways to stay on the water while ensuring their families’ financial futures.” - Emily Lane, Seafood and Aquaculture Specialist at MCE & former Island Institute trustee
Community Resilience & Workforce Pathways
After a buzzing conversation among the audience on how these resources can be introduced and promoted across the coast, we introduced some community champions leading the charge to build a more resilient marine economy in their own backyards. These partners are key to Island Institute achieving our mission “to boldly navigate climate and economic change with island and coastal communities to expand opportunities and deliver solutions.” We emphasize that small word “with” as one that speaks to the heart of community development, where the best solutions are those driven by the people most deeply invested in their own futures.
“We have innovated in the past, and we know how to do so again. We know how to take a little and make a lot with it. We have a great support system from the business services and nonprofits in Maine.” – Amanda Smith, Coastal Opportunities Advisor at SCEC
In Downeast Maine, Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) is collaborating with Washington County fishermen to explore opportunities in aquaculture and coastal tourism. As Amanda Smith, SCEC’s Coastal Opportunities Advisor, shared during the panel discussion: “We have innovated in the past, and we know how to do so again. We know how to take a little and make a lot with it. We have a great support system from the business services and nonprofits in Maine.”
Meanwhile, the Deer Isle-Stonington Connectivity Hub is providing workforce pathways support and community health services aimed at supporting those who rely on the water for their livelihoods. Funded by a grant from the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA), for which Island Institute provided key support, Connectivity Hubs aim to meet educational, workforce, and healthcare needs of communities, with an emphasis on increased access to digital tools and skills. Linda Nelson, Director of Economic Development in Stonington, introduced the Connectivity Hub with a nod to its playful nickname—the “DISCO hub”—remarking, “In Stonington, we do think that the future, while it’s very unknown and can cause us a lot of anxiety, is also glittery and fun.” With that spirit, the hub is designed to shine a light on opportunity: offering workforce development, digital tools, and community support to ensure that as the pieces of the puzzle shift, Stonington’s fishing community remains vibrant and resilient.
The Midcoast peninsula of St. George is another fishing community that, with technical assistance from Island Institute, won MCA Connectivity Hub funding to support work preparing the next generation of Maine’s workforce. Our long-time partners at the St. George school district are leading the way nationally in integrating career and technical education (CTE) from Pre-K through high school and beyond. Their new makerspace—complete with boatbuilding, woodworking, and digital fabrication tools—is ensuring students can carry forward Maine’s proud maritime traditions while also embracing the technologies of the future.
The panel conversation was rounded out by another long-standing collaborator in Island Institute’s approach to supporting workforce pathways through community-driven processes. Val Peacock and her team from the Rural Aspirations Project (RAP), are actively working to ensure young people see a future for themselves in Maine’s rural communities. Through mentorship, hands-on learning experiences, and direct engagement with schools and local businesses, RAP is helping shape the next generation of fishermen, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders. Citing surveyed youth in Washington County communities who mostly expect to leave their hometowns after high school because of a perceived lack of jobs, Val invited everyone in the room to help “shift that mindset—help young people see that they can create their own opportunities right here in Maine.”
Looking Forward: A Bright Horizon for Maine’s Fisheries
The 2025 Maine Fishermen’s Forum made one thing clear: while challenges persist, the opportunities for Maine’s fishing communities are greater than ever. With new business support systems, workforce training programs, and innovative tools designed specifically for fishermen, Island Insitute and our partners are supporting Maine’s fishing industry by adapting, evolving, and preparing for a future filled with promise.
By working together—fishermen, community leaders, and partner organizations—Maine’s coastal communities are proving that resilience, adaptability, and innovation are the keys to thriving in an ever-changing marine economy. The message from this year’s forum was clear: the future of Maine’s fishing industry is not just about survival—it’s about growth, sustainability, and prosperity for generations to come.
