Bobby Ingalls and Reggie Lee
Voices of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum 2019
Voices of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum 2019 is a project of Maine Sea Grant, The First Coast, College of the Atlantic, and the Island Institute, with support from the Maine Fishermen’s Forum Board of Directors.
Giulia Cardoso
Bobby Ingalls is a seasoned lobster fisherman from Bucks Harbor, Maine, with decades of experience in the industry. Known for his resilience and love for the sea, Bobby embraces the traditional aspects of fishing and values sustainable practices.
Reggie Lee, from Westport Island near Boothbay Harbor, is a versatile fisherman who has dabbled in lobstering, dragging, shrimping, and eel trapping throughout his 46-year career. Reggie is transitioning to longlining and eagerly explores new fishing opportunities while advocating for the preservation of smaller-scale fisheries.
Scope and Content Note
Bobby Ingalls and Reggie Lee discuss longlining, lobstering, shrimping, and groundfishing, focusing on how the industries have changed and their experiences in each of these fisheries. They also discuss their experiences as fishermen and the changes they have witnessed in the industry. Reggie talks about his transition from lobstering to longlining and the reasons behind it, mentioning the lack of future in groundfishing. He also shares his close encounter with a boat fire and a dangerous situation with the Coast Guard. Bobby, on the other hand, primarily fishes for lobster and expresses his contentment with his current situation, mentioning that at his age, he's not worried about the future. Both fishermen discuss the challenges they face in the industry, such as newcomers who lack knowledge and the influence of government regulations. They emphasize the importance of experience and practical knowledge in fishing and express their concerns about the changing dynamics in the industry.
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