Frank Heller and Jack Collins, two friends and prospective aquaculturists from Brunswick, ME, share anecdotes from their life including how Heller broke his leg while walking on Popham Beach, was treated by the same doctor as Stephen King, and few years later, broke his wrist in the same location as the leg. Both men are interested in organic ocean farming and discuss the information they learned at the Forum about oyster aquaculture and seasteads.

Jessica Echard and Rebecca Weil, from Cooperstown, NY, both work for the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety as a research assistant and research coordinator, respectively. Their main project has been working with fishermen to increase their use of lifejackets while fishing. They have focused on talking with fishermen about why they choose not to use lifejackets, what their concerns are, and how they can help improve lifejacket design to make them more appropriate for the job.

Jim Fawcett is a professional associated with the University of Southern California Sea Grant Program, where he engages in work related to marine and coastal environments. His role at the Sea Grant Program involves addressing various issues pertinent to coastal areas, including environmental stewardship, public access, and the economic aspects of waterfronts. Fawcett's expertise is particularly evident in his discussions about Marina del Rey in Los Angeles, which he identifies as a significant working waterfront.

John Cox, is a clam manager in Jonesboro, ME.

Scope and Content Note

John McMillan, the owner of McMillan Offshore Survival Training and resident of Belfast, ME, and Don Wagner, one of his employees, offer the Drill Conductor Course to lobstermen. Both focus on the importance of safety training in the lobster industry and include stories of the gratitude people have expressed at knowing what to do in emergency situations, particularly when their training was able to save multiple lives.

John Peabody is an offshore lobsterman, although he maintains licenses for many species, out of Point Judith, RI. He is an owner/operator of a boat that goes out on multi-day fishing trips. He focuses heavily on the importance of fishing for a diversity of species and his frustration with there being too many regulations and too much paperwork to maintain each permit. He also speaks about his satisfaction in proving scientists wrong when they are not willing to listen to fishermen’s observations.

Joseph Lane is a dedicated academic instructor hailing from Kalamazoo, Michigan, with a fervent passion for educational tourism and historical preservation. His academic and professional journey has been marked by a deep commitment to connecting people with the rich maritime heritage of the Great Lakes region. Lane's interest in the historical significance and the architectural beauty of lighthouses has positioned him as an advocate for the restoration and conservation of these iconic structures.

Kathy Evans is recognized for her pivotal role as the environmental program manager at the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission, where she has been instrumental in spearheading environmental initiatives. Her career is marked by a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, particularly in the context of maintaining and revitalizing the working waterfront in Muskegon, Michigan.

Kenneth Walker is a seasoned professional affiliated with NOAA's Office for Coastal Management, where he plays a pivotal role in addressing the complexities of coastal conservation and utilization. His career trajectory has been marked by a deep commitment to the stewardship of coastal resources, reflecting a personal connection to the working waterfront that has been both a driving force and a source of insight in his professional endeavors.

Krista Tripp, a lobsterman from Spruce Head, ME, speaks about her childhood experiences fishing, going through the lobster apprenticeship program, and how her grandfather supported her desire to become a lobsterman. She addresses the realities of being a new, late, and female fisherman in this area and expresses her excitement at seeing more women on the water.