Tom Duym, from Lamoine, ME, is a seasoned professional in the fisheries industry with over 45 years of experience. He has dedicated his career to marine education and the development of programs that support young people interested in the fishing industry. Through his work as a coordinator and educator, Duym has been instrumental in fostering community engagement and advocating for sustainable fishing practices in coastal towns.

Scope and Content Note

Here, he shares his decade-long experiences supporting high school students from fishing backgrounds in developing skills and knowledge that are relevant to their career interests and will empower them as community members. He focuses on his current position at the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries and how his work with students enrolled in the Eastern Maine Skippers Program is informing his hopes and concerns for the future of coastal Maine. He also discusses his personal journey in the fisheries industry, including his upbringing in a boatyard and his discovery of a program at the University of Rhode Island that sparked his interest in commercial fisheries and marine technology. He shares his transition into marine education and his experiences teaching the fisheries program at Washington County Community College. Duym emphasizes the importance of retaining young people in the fishing industry and the need to adapt fishing practices to maintain higher value.