Research reveals diverse community benefits of small-scale fisheries

BOOTHBAY REGISTER • December 19, 2020

University of Maine researchers Heather Leslie and Kara Pellowe are studying clam fisheries on the Damariscotta and Medomak River estuaries. “The cultural values of marine species and ecosystems are incredibly important in shaping human–nature interactions, particularly for stewardship, sense of place, and identity,” said Leslie. “As we craft management policies to ensure the sustainability of coastal resources, it is important to look beyond the biology and economic dimensions of fisheries, and also recognize how policies impact coastal communities and cultures.”