A local Seafood Co-op is bringing fresh and reasonably priced seafood to residents.

And also keeping the fishing community alive.

Meghan Hayward reports.

For a second year the Penobscot East Resource Center is doing their community supported fishery program.

" Our mission is to secure a future for fishing communities in Eastern Maine."

Customers have to commit upfront to purchasing a full or half share of whole unpicked shrimp to be picked up every week for 10 weeks.

A full share is 10 pounds and costs 175-dollars, a half share is 5 pounds and $87.50.

" It's a win-win situation. It's a fair price for fishermen and fresh local shrimp for customers in the area."

This season they have over 100 customers and that number continues to grow, all happy to help the fishing community.

" Well my dad's a fishermen and I grew up with fishermen and I want to be able to support the fishermen anyway I can. This seems like a great way to do it, the shrimp is really good it's like a treat for us."

Deb Ludlow of Brooksville says more communities should offer a program like this.

" I think it's extremely important. I think it's part of our culture our history. It keeps the working water front vital and alive. I think it's so important for our community to maintain our heritage and past as we go forward."

And for the community supported fishery plans to move forward themselves and continue to expand.

" We definitely want to grow this as much as we can. We're looking to expand it considerably. So we're still taking customers now. We have 5 more weeks left to go so anyone that's interested we encourage them to just give us a call."

There are other pick-up areas besides Blue Hill, for more information or if you are interested in taking part in the Community Supported Fishery you can call 367-2708.

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