Letters submitted by BDN readers are verified by BDN Opinion Page staff. Send your letters to [email protected]
All fishermen are encouraged to attend a town hall with Troy Jackson, candidate for governor, on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m., at People’s United Methodist Church, 13 Chapel St., South Thomaston.
In 2024, the fishery brought well over $700 million to the state’s economy. We need a governor who takes seriously the importance of incorporating the voices of all those who make this industry run in state-level decision making. From our perspective, this has not been happening under recent governors.
It is time for change. We believe Troy Jackson offers just that through his background as a logger and in his strong legislative record demonstrating his commitment to the working people who are the backbone of Maine’s economy. Scientific information often changes and is incomplete without fishermen’s voices.
Troy has shown his understanding of the importance of science, together with input from fishermen. He was instrumental in bringing the Lobster Union, building trades and environmental advocates together to keep wind energy out of LMA1; and he vigorously went to bat with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) over federal attempts at severe industry restrictions.
As fishermen, we know the challenges we and the fishery face due to changing ocean dynamics. We are also saddled with rising costs of gear and equipment, lotteries, reduced work hours, being told what we can and can’t fish, and strict time limits on when we can catch. This last one raises safety issues as fishermen feel driven to go out on certain days regardless of weather.
These are issues Troy Jackson has lived as a working-class man. He knows what it means to not have a voice. He wants to hear from us, and he is worth hearing from.
Dale Witham
David Reed
Bremen
