Midcoast Fishermen's Association

The Midcoast Fishermen’s Association (MFA) was founded in 2006 by a group of conservation-minded groundfishermen from the small midcoast-Maine village of Port Clyde to save their small fleet by fishing more sustainably, thereby bringing a higher-quality product to the end consumer. 

Its mission:

The Midcoast Fishermen’s Association identifies and fosters ways to restore our groundfish fishery and sustain fishing communities along Maine’s coast for future generations.   

Port Clyde, although just a small coastal village, has the unusual distinction of being the second largest groundfishing port – after Portland – in Maine. This is particularly alarming in light of the fact that its entire fleet now consists of the 20 small draggers still left in the harbor.  The MFA’s 23 fishermen and their families represent an endangered way of life as well as the economic linchpin of their community.

Through their creative thinking and passion for their seafaring livelihood, however, they also represent a possible future for sustainable groundfish fishing in the Northeast.

For more information, please visit the Midcoast Fishermen's Association website.