PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 30, 2025
The Gulf of Maine is changing faster than almost any ocean on Earth. Cod are gone. Lobsters are moving deeper and farther offshore. But while some fish leave, others arrive: black sea bass, longfin squid, Jonah crabs, scup, butterfish — valuable fish that could support Maine’s fishing future. The ocean is offering a new menu. The question is whether we’ll help fishermen take the order. We need to act fast to help fishermen experiment and find what works. First, fix the regulations. Speed up permits for new species. Adjust quotas quickly as fish populations move. Second, build markets. Third, celebrate fishing different species as smart business. ~ Chris Payne, Cumberland Foreside, graduate student at UNE, software architect, and active sailor