Students get deep-dive look at Maine fishing industry at marine trades forum

SULLIVAN, Maine (WABI) - Maine’s fishing future got its feet wet Wednesday, as Sumner Memorial High School hosted its second student marine trades forum.

Sumner Memorial High School hosted its second student marine trades forum.

“Around two years ago, me and one of my teachers, Ms. Crabtree, we came up with an idea, a thought to come together as a council with some student leaders, to make a group to learn about the industry,” explains Sumner Memorial junior and council founder Dawson Hunt. “So that students are better prepared, or young fishermen are better prepared for a future ahead. And they know what they’re getting themselves into because right now, there’s so much uncertainty about everything.”

Students connected with post-graduation fishing opportunities and heard from longtime fisherman Charles Kelley and his daughter, Katelyn Coffin.

“For me and where I’m at, what I see, I’m on the tail end of the industry,” Kelley describes as he looks back on his 45 years fishing. “For lack of a better expression, it’s kind of a scary situation to get into with all the regulations, rules, the way the fishery’s up and down, the expense, the cost, and everything that’s involved now in the fishery.”

Kelley’s advice for a successful fishing career? Have a back-up plan.

During their keynote speech at the beginning of the day, Coffin told the crowd: “Mom and dad made sure that I went to college, and I did a couple of years in culinary arts so that I could have something to fall back on. And I know that in the future, if ever I’m not on the boat, I can fall back on that.”

Despite the ebb and flow of the commercial fishing industry, many young people hope to continue the legacy of their families by make a living on the water.

“My dad’s a first generation fisherman. I’m a second generation fisherman. I’ve always been like kind of pushed away from the industry a little bit. I’ve always been told, ‘You don’t want to do that. You don’t want to get in that industry.’ Even by my own father!” Hunt recalls. “This is in my blood. This is what my family does. This is what the families around us. This is Downeast Maine for you, this is Maine. These kids are going to go and they’re going to do this. They’re going to try to do this. So better prepare them for their futures and try to get a better head start for themselves.”

In smaller groups, students were able to explore fiberglass fabrication and financial management, all skills that cast a wider net than just their application in fishing.

Jennifer Walter, a commercial loan administrator at Machias Savings Bank, led sessions on building credit and applying for loans.

“Getting into starting your own business, it’s an expensive prospect just to get started,” Walter says. “And so a lot of them seek out some lending opportunities just so they can borrow some money, buy a boat, buy some gear.”

Despite a murky future, it’s clear: You can take the Downeaster out of fishing, but you can’t take the fishermen out of Downeast.

Hunt said attendance appeared to have doubled from last year’s forum, which he hopes signals renewed interest among young people in working on the water.