Lobster Zone C Council Meeting
Bucksport High School
Bucksport
October 28, 2008 – 6:00 p.m.

Present: Ryan Haskell, Robert Ray, Hilton Turner, John Candage, Earl Hamilton, Frank Gotwals, Bill Osborne, Linda Stratton, Gerald Weed, Annie Tselikis, David Haskell, Victoria Burpee, Charlie Emmons, Tom Gallant, Andrew Varisco, Faith DeAmbrose and Sarah Cotnoir.

Discussion of lobster situation with Representatives from State Agencies – FAME, DECD, EMCD, SBA and local bank.

Big message to all fishermen – If there are problems with making bank payments, do not let payments go past 29 days. The options for the banks and all agencies are severely limited after 29 days. Banks want to work with fishermen; banks do not want to repossess boats.

Fishermen feel that the State doesn’t know just how bad the situation is; financial problems are going to be during the winter and spring. Most people will be alright for a few months then it is going to get bad. Lobstermen will need more help than just putting off boat payments for a few months.

Discussion on the problem of the low price; all State representatives were representing financial agencies – can’t do much about the marketing of lobsters.

This meeting was pretty informal and was basically about working with banks to make payments. There wasn’t anyone at the meeting to talk about solutions to the price.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Minutes by Ryan Haskell