The Role of Tourism in Fisheries Crises: The Case of Newfoundland and Applications to Maine

Tourism is increasingly touted as a development opportunity for coastal and rural areas affected by natural resource decline. As commercial fisheries face depletion the world over, people look to tourism to help coastal communities recover from economic crisis, but little work has been done to explore if the investment in tourism can ever replace the full human ecological value of the fishery, including its impacts on a region’s culture, economy, and environment.

PORTLAND, ME - At the conclusion of a national symposium here last week, representatives from federal, state, and local governments and organizations announced the formation of a National Working Waterways & Waterfronts Coalition.

ORONO - Registration has begun for the Working Waterways and Waterfronts National Symposium on Water Access, September 27-30 in Portland, Maine.

Across the United States, communities, water-dependent industries, and the public face conflicts over access to waterways, waterfronts, shorelines, and beaches. The challenge will only increase in the years to come: by 2050, the US population is expected to exceed 400 million people, more than half of whom will live in a coastal county if growth trends continue.

What is the Downeast Fisheries Trail?
The Downeast Fisheries Trail is an educational trail that showcases active and historic fisheries heritage sites, such as fish hatcheries, aquaculture facilities, fishing harbors, clam flats, processing plants and other related public places in an effort to educate residents and visitors about the importance of the region’s maritime heritage and the role of marine resources to the area’s economy. The Trail builds on these local resources to strengthen community life and the experience of visitors.