Marine Resources committee recommends Carl Wilson to lead Maine Department of Marine Resources

The Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources voted unanimously to recommend Carl Wilson of Alna for confirmation as commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources following a public hearing and extended questioning from committee members.

Wilson was presented to the committee by Tom Mabelo, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Janet Mills, who said the governor selected Wilson for “his deep background in marine science and research, his experience collaborating with commercial fishermen, and his knowledge of the department.” Mabelo told the committee Wilson has spent 25 years at the department and “since 2015 … directs a staff of 90 scientists.”

Wilson told the committee he would emphasize listening to fishing communities, support staff development inside DMR and continue partnerships with universities and industry. “When information is freely exchanged across these institutions, the likelihood of positive outcomes for fish, fishermen, and communities … are increased,” Wilson said in his opening remarks.

Why it matters: The commissioner oversees science and management of Maine’s commercially important fisheries, enforcement activities and the department’s role in statewide issues including right-whale protections, aquaculture permitting and planning for climate impacts on working waterfronts.

Most of the committee’s questions focused on adaptation to climate change, aquaculture permitting backlogs, outreach and license/access issues. Wilson said the DMR has made progress on electronic reporting and research programs and that “in the next five years people probably can expect to see” rapid ecological changes. He described efforts the bureau has led — 100% harvester reporting in the lobster fishery, electronic at-sea data entry and a $17 million-per-year right-whale research program — as work the agency would continue.

On aquaculture permitting, Wilson said he supports recent internal reallocation of staff to move applications through the pipeline and that the department should monitor whether that increase in capacity relieves bottlenecks. On access and working waterfronts, Wilson repeatedly told the committee access to harbors and public infrastructure is “the biggest” climate-related problem affecting the fisheries and coastal communities.

Public testimony at the hearing overwhelmingly supported Wilson’s confirmation. Speakers included former Commissioner Robin Alden, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association executive director Patrice McCarron, representatives of industry groups, and fishing-community leaders who described Wilson as a scientist who listens to fishermen. “He brings a special combination of the data orientation of a scientist and his personal experience and respect for fishermen,” former commissioner Robin Alden said.

Committee action: Representative Lisonbee Hepler moved that the committee recommend confirmation; Representative Holly Eaton seconded the motion. The committee took a roll-call-style vote and the nomination was recommended by the committee; the co-chairs will transmit the committee’s recommendation to the president of the Senate as required under Title 3, section 157.

Next steps: The committee’s recommendation is a required step before the full Senate considers the nomination. The committee did not set conditions or reservations in its recommendation; several legislators used the hearing to press the nominee on implementation priorities.