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Committee hears unanimous support for bill to make July 21 Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day
Summary
Rep. Will Toole and family members of lost fishermen—including Liz Michaud of Green and White Hope—urged lawmakers to make July 21 an annual observance honoring Maine commercial fishermen killed at sea; Department of Marine Resources deputy commissioner backed the bill and linked it to safety initiatives.
Representative Will Toole opened the public hearing on LD 2069, describing the 2023 death of 18‑year‑old lobsterman Tyler Michaux and the spate of commercial-fishing fatalities in 2025 that prompted calls for a permanent day of remembrance. Toole said the designation would "send a lasting message of appreciation, respect, and support to commercial fishermen, their families, and this heritage industry."
Liz Michaud, who founded Green and White Hope after her nephew Tyler's death, testified by Zoom about the family’s loss and the nonprofit’s safety work; she and the bill sponsor framed the proposed observance as a community healing and safety education opportunity. The Department of Marine Resources’ Deputy Commissioner Meredith Mendelson testified in support and noted DMR’s history of fisheries-safety programs and the department’s Commercial Fishing Safety Council. Mendelson said the designation would help "ensure there is an ongoing opportunity to remember and reflect on those Maine fishermen who are lost at sea" and to bolster safety efforts.
Lawmakers indicated strong sympathy and requested no immediate changes; the public hearing was closed with unanimous support signaled for moving the measure forward to the work session.
