In 2021, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries in partnership with Homarus Strategies began a one-year investigation into the issues and conflicts surrounding the integration of on-call fishing gear (another term for “ropeless”) technology in New England.

MCFA's Ben Martens interviews Noah Oppenheim on the report and they dive into where the technology is, what fishermen are concerned about, and what the future looks like for implementation.

NOAA Fisheries Science Center recently released a story map titled the "Social Indicators of Gentrification Pressure" which explores how gentrification is affecting 29 fishing communities in the Northeast United States. Eight different Maine communities were highlighted in this work so we invited Matthew Cutler, PhD or Rose Jimenez, MA, MPhil to join us to chat about their work.

The Maine Coast Fishermen's Association has been working with scallop fishermen in the Gulf of Maine to pioneer an electronic monitoring program to collect data for the fishery. Learn more about this program and the work MCFA is doing to create a sustainable fishery for the next generation of Maine fishermen.

Maine Coast Dock Talk's first "Fish Wrap" dives into the concept of 30x30 and the impact that protecting 30% of the US oceans may have on fishermen. Ben Martens was joined by Leigh Habegger of Seafood Harvesters of America, Noah Oppenheim of Homarus Strategies, and Monique Coombs of the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association.

What are nutrient credits and how can they help revitalize Chesapeake Bay fishing communities while also cleaning up the bay? MCFA's Ben Martens interviews Johnny Shockley, a third-generation Maryland waterman, oyster aquaculturist, and founder of Blue Oyster Environmental about his work in creating a better future for the next generation of watermen on the Chesapeake.

We also get an update from Monique Coombs on the impacts of COVID-19 on Maine's working waterfronts.

In mid-April 2020, a federal judge ruled that NOAA fisheries had not been doing enough to protect right whales. How did we get here? What does this mean for Maine fishermen? Where do we go from here? Ben Martens interviews Patrice McCarron of the Maine Lobstermen's Association for some answers.

Maine Coast Fishermen's Association's Ben Martens talks Alan Tracy, CEO of Vessel Services. Vessel Services has a long history of supplying Maine boats with ice, fuel, and gear. In this Covid-19 free Pod, learn a little bit about how they were formed, what they are doing to evolve, and the optimism Alan feels about the future of fishing in Maine.

The Conservation Law Foundation has filed a petition demanding that the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Secretary of Commerce take immediate action to end overfishing of Atlantic cod. Ben Martens and Monique Coombs discuss what this actually means,

what might be the impacts on Maine fishermen, and should you should still feel comfortable eating local cod?

Host Ben Martens answers a  listener question about the lottery system used to issue commercial scallop permit in the state of Maine. Why do we have it? Where did it come from? And what will be its impact on Maine fishing communities?

Featuring music from Sara Trunzo

Ian Mayo of Mayo Enterprises sits down with host Ben Martens to talk about owning and maintaining Sturdivant's Wharf in Portland, ME.

Eroding piers, crane operations, dredging, boat maintenance, fish, seafood and politics. What does it take to keep a wharf in Maine working?