Fishermen tell Harpswell committee they are often excluded from research; MCFA launches citizen science on black sea bass

Representatives from the Main Coast Fisherman's Association told the Harpswell aquaculture committee that fishermen are often excluded from the research and policy processes that affect their livelihoods, and they outlined a citizen‑science project to document black sea bass occurrences.

Hannah McDonald, MCFA director of policy and innovation, introduced Bowdoin student Julia, who posed questions about how fishermen are included in scientific studies and policy development. Multiple fishermen and committee members responded that fishermen’s day‑to‑day observations are treated as anecdotal and that socioeconomic impacts of rulemaking are often insufficiently considered.

"If you look up the definition of science, it's the observation of the natural world — and what do fishermen do all day every day? Observe the natural world," one committee member said, urging that fisher observations be treated as valid data. Members described recent experiences where fisheries were closed or quotas changed with limited opportunity for fishermen to contribute on‑water knowledge.

MCFA described a black sea bass photo‑survey launched last summer that lets fishermen upload photos with length and location to a public story map to fill data gaps as the species expands into the Gulf of Maine. Committee members said the state could consider a pilot rulemaking to allow limited sale or monitoring to test whether a directed black sea bass fishery would be viable.

The discussion ended with the group urging better engagement between agencies, scientists, and fishermen, and offering to continue the conversation at a future meeting or through MCFA outreach.

No formal policy or regulatory changes were made during the meeting; the conversation was framed as input for future research and potential state rulemaking.