ROCKPORT – The Annual Fishermen’s Forum, a three-day event held in Rockport in early March, has been canceled for a second year due to coronavirus concerns.

The forum brings together scientists, seafood traders, fisheries management specialists and more from across the commercial fishing industry, including traders, processors, representatives of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Marine Resources, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other government agencies. And the fishermen, of course, who come together to talk shop, share information, hear new and upcoming legislation affecting their industry, and swap stories.

“We have concerns about ensuring health and safety in a venue that hosts thousands of participants, including families, fishermen, scientists, fisheries regulators, trade show vendors and staff. hotelier, especially since COVID infections are currently on the rise in Maine. The decision to cancel was not an easy one, but in the end we decided to err on the side of caution. We look forward to 2023 when we can once again fulfill our mission of providing opportunities to educate the public and the fishing industry on fisheries issues and to provide a neutral platform for constructive dialogue ” said Stave Train, chairman of the forum’s board.

The event was last held in person in March 2020, just days before the pandemic shut down much of the world. This past March, in its 45th season, the forum hosted a series of online workshops in hopes of relaunching the event in person in 2022. Instead, the board ultimately chose to cancel the event and show last week, which was scheduled for March 3. -5, due to rising virus rates statewide.

The board plans to continue raising funds for its scholarship program, which awards tens of thousands of dollars each year, and will study the feasibility of hosting virtual events in the future.

“We will continue to fundraise for our annual scholarship and award as many scholarships as funds allow. Over the next few months, our Board of Directors will explore the possibility of offering a number of training sessions that will allow for remote participation, ”said Board Vice-Chair Jenni Steele.