I'm continuing with my Endangered Lobstermen Series.
In the past two weeks I have contacted numerous outlets, with a thought that someone would use my family portrait series of the lobstering community. I contacted the big name newspapers like the New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Wallstreet Journal & local to Maine, The Portland Press. I also thought, well, maybe the Maine Council of lobster promotion would possibly be able to use the portraits, to show the world that the lobster they eat is caught by a "Mom & Pop" business. So far, nothing is as immediate as I would like, so I have been posting on my social media channels. The Maine Lobstermen Society shared one of the posts, which is great. The more shares the better, and the more shares outside of Maine the better.
My portraits are serious because this is a serious issue and thousands are at risk of losing their livelihood.
In most lobster fishing families in Maine, the children get a junior license at a young age as it makes it easier for them to then get a full license as they get older.
The youngest lobstermen I met so far- 4 years old. She passes the bait to her brother and he then baits thebans out on the boat.
Oh- and a side note- every lobster fishing person I have spoken to that identifies as female calls themself a "fishermen."