The Maine fishing industry lost a tough leader, a strong advocate and a good friend with the resignation Wednesday of Marine Resources Commissioner Robin Alden.

The reasons for Alden’s departure are entirely understandable — a husband and a young daughter require attention and a life on the road wrestling with local, state, national and international fisheries issues takes its toll. First things first.

Gov. Angus King’s nomination of Alden for the state’s top fisheries job three years ago may have come as a surprise to many, but not to those in the business. Fishermen knew the crucial role women have always played as “shore captains” of the family operation, they knew Alden had accumulated a wealth of knowledge during her years as publisher of Commercial Fisheries News, they knew she had the requisite experience dealing with regulatory agencies from her work on the New England Fisheries Management Council. They also knew she, as founder of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, understood the need to promote the industry.

What they didn’t know, but now do, is how determined Alden could be to steer the industry through the storms created when the federal demand for increased regulations clashes with the fisherman’s demand for independence. Again and again she was urged to reject federal intrusion, again and again she rejected that pointless advice, kept Maine at the table and cut the best deal possible. If Maine has a medal for public service, Alden deserves one for helping to turn the adversarial, ruinous federal whale protection plan into a cooperative agreement both whales and fishermen can live with.

Within the state, there were plenty of brush fires: Boom-and-bust urchin and eel fisheries; trap wars; gear conflicts; territorial disputes. The outcomes weren’t always been perfect, but at least both sides always knew they had been heard.

But the most important legacy of Alden’s tenure will be fisheries management by fishermen. The seven lobster zones with their locally elected councils still are in their infancy. They have yet to prove themselves, but the mere fact that they have been created, despite much resistance and skepticism, is a testament to her determination. She promised self-regulation based upon individual stewardship and responsibility and she delivered. The result is a fundamental change in fisheries management that is attracting national attention.

Robin Alden has served the Maine fishing industry with distinction. Now, it’s her family’s turn. It’s a job well done and a break well deserved.