Russell Wright
Assessing Vulnerability and Resilience in Maine Fishing Communities
This project developed a participatory, place-based approach for assessing the vulnerability and resilience of Maine fishing communities, documenting threats and resources available to respond to those threats. To understand the forces driving vulnerability, Johnson and graduate students Cameron Thompson and Anna Henry worked with community stakeholders to identify opportunities and strategies for improving resilience of fishing communities. They produced a summary report, entitled, “In Their Own Words: Fishermen’s Perspectives of Community Resilience.”
Once upon a time, Maine fishermen and women harvested a diversity of species, from groundfish and herring to lobsters, clams, shrimp, and scallops, depending on market conditions and resource abundance. Today, Maine’s fishing culture is concentrated in 50 coastal communities and is overwhelmingly dependent on lobster, while regulations have restricted other fisheries. Since 1990, the number of vessels landing groundfish in Maine dropped from 350 to 70. At least 72 groundfish permits have been lost, and dramatic changes in management are imminent, leading Johnson to wonder, “How vulnerable are Maine’s fishing communities? What can be done to improve their resiliency to future change?”
These are the questions that federal fisheries managers must ask when assessing the impact of new rules, yet too often they don’t have the right data to answer the questions. This project developed a participatory, place-based approach for assessing the vulnerability and resilience of Maine fishing communities, documenting threats and resources available to respond to those threats. To understand the forces driving vulnerability, Johnson and graduate students Cameron Thompson and Anna Henry worked with community stakeholders to identify opportunities and strategies for improving resilience of fishing communities.
Russell Wright, born in 1960, is a lifelong resident of Lubec, Maine. He has been serving as a marine patrol officer since 1999. Prior to joining the Marine Patrol, Wright had a brief stint in the logging industry before returning to his roots in the fishing industry. He has three brothers who are actively involved in the fishing industry. Wright's decision to join the Marine Patrol was influenced by his love for water and dealing with people. He has seen the community of Lubec evolve over the years, with the fishing industry becoming the primary source of livelihood after the closure of factories and other industries.
Scope and Content Note:
This interview with Russell Wright, conducted by Anna Henry on December 12, 2011, provides an in-depth look into the life and experiences of a marine patrol officer in Lubec, Maine. The interview was part of the University of Maine project, “Assessing Vulnerability and Resilience in Maine Fishing Communities,” funded by Maine Sea Grant. Wright discusses his career trajectory, starting from his early interest in joining the Marine Patrol after high school, his detour into the logging industry, and his eventual return to the fishing industry. He shares his perspective on the unique challenges of his job, which involves dealing with people's livelihoods and enforcing regulations in a small community. Wright also provides insights into the dynamics of the fishing community in Lubec. He talks about the organization of fishermen, the advisory boards for different fisheries, and the varying attitudes towards the industry. He also discusses the changes he has witnessed in the community, including the decline of factories and the rise of the fishing industry as the primary source of income. The interview also touches on the future of Lubec, with Wright expressing his hope that it remains a fishing community. He acknowledges the uncertainty of the future, given the changes he has seen over the past decade. Overall, the interview provides a valuable perspective on the fishing industry in Lubec, the role of the Marine Patrol, and the changes and challenges facing small fishing communities in Maine.
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