Bar Harbor Bank & Trust today announced it will make a significant ongoing financial contribution to support the Maine Lobstermen’s Association’s legal and policy efforts to protect Maine’s lobster industry. The Bank has also pledged additional funding to aid the association’s four-pronged strategy to preserve sustainable fishing as well as the fishermen and communities that depend on it.
“We have been serving the people and businesses of Maine for more than 135 years, this is our home, and the lobstering industry is a cornerstone of not only our community’s economic vitality but also the spirit of who we are as Mainers,” said Curtis C. Simard, CEO & President of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “We have supported the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) for many years and are honored to support their fundraising efforts in support of the industry’s fight against impending regulations that could eliminate the fishery. This must not happen given its significant contributions to our economy and long tradition that it represents. We are proud to support the “Save Maine Lobstermen” campaign, and we encourage other businesses and individuals who can support the campaign to do so by visiting the MLA website savemainelobstermen.org.”
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association is engaged in a four-prong strategy to save the Maine lobster industry as well as the right whales. The four prongs are: 1) legal and policy efforts to fight a federal plan that will harm the lobster industry; 2) collaboration with scientific experts to ensure cutting-edge science is the basis of any right whale conservation plan; 3) efforts to develop innovative gear solutions that protect right whales; and 4) communication and advocacy to build support for the Maine lobster industry and its importance to the area’s economy and heritage.
Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.6 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiary Bar Harbor Trust Wealth Management. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) was founded in 1954 and is currently the oldest and largest fishing industry association on the east coast. Representing 1,200 members, the MLA works to sustain both the industry and the resource. The MLA strives to be proactive on issues affecting the lobster industry and is active in the management process at the state, regional and federal levels. For more than 60 years, the MLA has provided a credible voice for the industry on important issues, and is highly regarded by both the fishing industry and the management community. For more information about MLA visit www.mainelobstermen.org