Freda McKie and Edwin McKie
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
Edwin and Freda McKie are experienced lobster fishermen based in Prince Edward Island (PEI). Edwin began his fishing career in 1971 and purchased his own boat and license in 1973, while Freda joined him in lobster fishing in 1982.
Scope and Content Note
In their oral history, Freda and Edwin McKie talk about what it means to go lobstering on Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, touching upon the gear they use, the regulations in place, and the different social dynamics on different parts of PEI. This leads into a comparison with how the fishery is run and regulated and it brings back memories of Maine lobstermen and students visiting PEI in recent years. They mention the Canadian-American lobstermen conflict and the need for more interaction to foster understanding. They emphasize teaching economics to young people in fishing and farming communities. They discuss the decline in licenses, interest of younger generations, and the difference in community cooperation. They highlight Canada's lobster processing industry and stress the importance of education and engagement in fishing and farming for young people.
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