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Joint committee recommends Carl Wilson as Maine Department of Marine Resources commissioner
Summary
The Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources voted unanimously of those present to recommend Carl Wilson of Alna to the Senate for confirmation as commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources after a hearing filled with industry and scientific support and extended questioning about climate impacts, aquaculture permitting and working‑waterfront access.
Carl Wilson, a 25‑year Department of Marine Resources scientist from Alna, won a unanimous recommendation from the joint committee that oversees the agency after a confirmation hearing that brought broad industry and scientific backing.
Tom Abello, Deputy Chief of Staff for Gov. Janet Mills, presented Wilson as the governor’s nominee, saying the governor selected him because of "his deep background in marine science and research, his experience collaborating with commercial fishermen, and his knowledge of the department." Wilson has served as director of the Bureau of Marine Science since 2015 and oversees the Boothbay Harbor laboratory and a range of research programs.
Wilson told the panel his approach would emphasize listening to fishermen and other stakeholders while building departmental capacity. "I would put it on access," he said when asked to identify the single biggest climate‑related crisis facing the industries he would oversee, explaining that infrastructure and affordable housing for working waterfronts affect the ability of people to remain engaged in fisheries.
Members pressed Wilson on a range of operational issues, including how the department should respond to rapid changes in species distribution, aquaculture permitting backlogs and cross‑border management questions with Canada. On permitting, Wilson said targeted resources and process changes have opened the pipeline — "about 52 applications were processed last year" — but that bottlenecks remain and additional staffing or programmatic tweaks may be necessary.
Industry groups and scientific leaders gave largely unanimous public testimony in support of the nomination. Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, said the association endorsed Wilson because "continuity of leadership at DMR is essential" and he can "hit the ground running." Former DMR commissioner Robin Alden and representatives of the Maine Aquaculture Association, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association and others also urged the committee to recommend confirmation.
After closing the public hearing and waiving the usual waiting period, the committee took a roll‑call vote and recorded a unanimous recommendation among those present to forward Wilson’s nomination to the Senate. The committee will send written notice of its recommendation to the president of the Senate as required by statute.
