Voices of the Fleet

07/27/2026

https://www.quoddytides.com/ceremony-honors-lost-fishermen/

About 50 people gathered in Lubec on July 21 under a mostly cloudy sky to remember those fishermen lost at sea. Voices of the Fleet founder Annie Sokoloski welcomed those in attendance to the Lost Fishermen's Memorial for the first ceremony marking ...

07/24/2026

For a limited time Green and White Hope will be offering Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day branded merchandise to keep the spirit alive all year. All profits will go to next year’s memorial events. Get yours at https://greenwhitehope-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/commercial-fishing-remembrance-day

07/02/2026

Just under 3 WEEKS until we recognize Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day across the state of Maine. On July 21st, join us at a ceremony, visit a memorial, or just take a private moment to honor and remember the lost and unite with others around opportunities to improve the odds of our fishermen coming home. More information at www.greenwhitehope.org under events.

06/20/2026

They Come to Maine!!!
Sign UP!!! Amazing Program!!!

06/01/2026

Voices of the Fleet is honored to stand with communities across Maine in observing Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day on July 21, 2026.

Together, we remember those lost at sea, honor their lives and sacrifices, and support the families and fishing communities who carry their memories forward.

As part of the expanded recognition of Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day in 2026, the planning committee is organizing the laying of wreaths at Fisherman Memorials across Maine. Memorials have been identified in Pleasant Point, Lubec, Port Clyde, Boothbay Harbor, Bailey Island, Chebeague Island, and Portland. Please message us here or email [email protected] if there are other Maine memorials we’re unaware of. We don’t want anyone left out!
More details to come!



Maine Harbor Master’s Association
mainedmr
Maine Department of Marine Resources
Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries
mainecoastfishermen
Maine Coast Fishermen's Association
annie.voicesofthefleet
_nefsa_
mainelobstermen
Maine Lobstermen's Association
Sunrise County Economic Council
sunrisecountyeconomiccouncil
islandinstitute
Northeast Center Commercial Fishing Health & Safety
aragostamama

05/21/2026

The Maine Department of Marine Resources has officially opened public comment on the proposed Scallop Drag Apprenticeship Program.

Over the past several months, I have been sitting in these Scallop Advisory Council meetings and listening carefully to the discussions taking place around apprenticeship requirements, safety training, sponsorship responsibilities, days at sea requirements, and access into the fishery.

Very few people have been attending these meetings.

That matters.

These conversations directly affect the future of Maine’s scallop fishery, the safety of new entrants, working captains, fishing families, and how practical implementation will actually look on the water.

If you have concerns, support, operational insight, questions, or lived experience that could help shape this program, now is the time to speak.

Not after the rules are finalized.
Not after frustrations build.
Now.

Whether you are:
• a scallop fisherman
• a sternman
• a younger fisherman hoping to enter the fishery
• a sponsor captain
• a family member
• a safety trainer
• or simply someone connected to the working waterfront

your voice matters in this process.

The public comment period is open until June 22, 2026.

Public Hearing:
June 10, 2026
5:30 PM
DMR Conference Room 118
Marquardt Building
32 Blossom Lane, Augusta, ME
Also available remotely via Microsoft Teams.

Comments can be sent to:
[email protected]

One thing remains clear throughout these discussions:
Safety matters. Real competency matters. Practical implementation matters.

This is one of the most dangerous fisheries in the industry. Conversations around apprenticeship and entry pathways deserve thoughtful participation from the people who actually live and work within it.

Voices of the Fleet™ believes fishermen and fishing communities should engage early, constructively, and directly in these discussions while there is still time to shape the process.












https://www.maine.gov/dmr/sites/maine.gov.dmr/files/regulations-2026-05/CH11%20MAPA3-5.20.26%20Apprenticeship%20for%20web.pdf

05/21/2026

🤍🌊⚓️

⚓ Lost Fishermen’s Memorial Committee Meeting

The next meeting of the Lost Fishermen’s Memorial Committee serving Washington County, Maine and Charlotte County, New Brunswick will be held:

📍 Lubec Town Office
📅 Wednesday, May 27
🕕 6:00 PM

The committee continues its work focused on the stewardship, preservation, and long term continuity of the memorial, including ongoing planning for the upcoming Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day ceremony on July 21.

Community members are welcome to attend.

With gratitude,
Annie Sokoloski, Chair
Lost Fishermen’s Memorial

05/21/2026

SAVE THE DATE

Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day

Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Lost Fishermen’s Memorial
Lubec, Maine

The Lost Fishermen’s Memorial Committee invites the community to gather in remembrance of commercial fishermen and harvesters from Washington County, Maine and Charlotte County, New Brunswick who lost their lives while fishing or harvesting.

This memorial stands in honor of the working waterfront communities connected by these waters, generations of labor, and lives remembered at sea.

The ceremony will include:
• Wreath placement
• Community reflection and remembrance

Additional details, guest speakers, and event timing will be announced as planning continues. 🤍🌊⚓️

05/16/2026

Last night, the Lost Fishermen’s Memorial Committee officially held its first committee meeting and selected its officer positions as follows:

Annie Sokoloski, Chair
Carol Dennison, Vice Chair
Angela Kennedy, Secretary
Wayne Mallock, Treasurer

Additional committee members include:

Victor Sokoloski
Cyril Francis
Julie Keene

This memorial exists to honor commercial fishermen and harvesters lost while working on the waters of Washington County, Maine or Charlotte County, N.B., or those who resided within either of these regions, and to ensure their names, stories, and contributions are remembered with dignity and care.

The work ahead will be approached thoughtfully, respectfully, and with long term stewardship in mind for the families, communities, and working waterfronts connected to these waters.

The committee would like to thank the Lubec Town Office for accommodating out of town committee members after hours, past Lost Fishermen’s Memorial committee members and community members for their support and contributions in helping make the first meeting a successful step forward.

It truly was a collaborative effort. Bravo to everyone.

From a Voices of the Fleet™ perspective, tonight was a reminder that remembrance work is never carried by one person alone. It moves forward through communities willing to sit at the same table, navigate difficult conversations, and continue the work with care for both the past and the future.