Journalist gets endorsement to head Marine Resources

AUGUSTA — Journalist Robin Alden moved closer to managing the waterfront, instead of covering it, when she received the ringing endorsement Thursday of a legislative committee to be the next commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources.

After hearing strong support from virtually every sector of the fishing industry, The Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources unanimously recommend- ed the confirmation of Gov. Angus King’s nominee for the state’s top fisheries post.

If confirmed as expected by the full Senate within a few days, the Stonington publisher will become the first woman to govern Maine’s fishing industry.

Alden, 43, founded what is now the Commercial Fisheries News in 1973, and since has started two other fisheries publications. She also has worked for the University of Maine Sea Grant program, helped organize the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, now in its 20th year, and served on the New England Fishery Management Council.

The long line of speakers supporting the nominee at Thursday’s hearing included many individual fishermen and representatives of such organizations as the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, the Downeast Lobstermen’s Association, the Maine Sardine Council, the Maine Aquaculture Association, the Maine Seaweed Council, the Maine Fishermen’s Wives Association, the Portland Fish Exchange, the Island Institute, the Maine Urchin Harvester’s Association, the Maine Science and Technology Foundation and the Coastal Conservation Association for recreational saltwater anglers.

Supporters praised Alden’s comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of the fishing industry and marine science, as well as her editorial positions favoring increased input from fish- ermen in the development of fishing regulations and her reputation as one who builds bridges between competing groups.

Brian Beal, a shellfish scientist at the University of Maine at Machias, called Alden’s nomination “one of the most sensible appointments in the history of the state. She is an eloquent speaker and a master of listening.”

After listening to dozens of favorable comments during the two and one-half hour session, the legislators heard from one opponent, Augusta environmentalist Bob Lavangie. He criticized the lack of coverage in the fishery press of estuary pollution and Alden’s connection through marriage to the gillnetting industry, which he called “a cruel fishery.”

In her statement to the committee, Alden said she will continue as commissioner “to be a consensus-builder, to find in the diversity of opinion the underlying principles, to keep everyone at the table.”

Rep. Herbert Adams, D-Portland, asked Alden how she will balance the need for fishermen to earn a living with the need to conserve and restore the resource. She said her position that “those who fish should help make the rules is based on my belief that the people who know the most about the behavior and abundance of fish are those who catch them. Anyone can make rules. We need rules that really work and people who are involved in making the rules will take responsibility for them.”

Acknowledging her lack of experience in law enforcement, Alden said she will work closely with the Marine Patrol, adding that fishermen are the most ardent supporters of enforcement, if the regulations are fair and rational.

In response to questions from other committee members, Alden said she supports Maine becoming a leader in marine science, favors closers ties between traditional fishing and aquaculture, and promised that Maine will make strenuous objections should the federal government move ahead with plans to declare Atlantic salmon an endangered species, a development many fear would kill the Downeast finfish aquaculture industry.