Fisherman Spotlight
At the age of 7, Andrew Simmons started out by helping his dad in the shop. His father, a 5th generation lobsterman taught him that, ?In this business, you have to work hard to earn your respect, but do it in an honest way.? At an early age, Andrew realized that the lobster business was a wealthy one, but it was also a dog-eat-dog business. He took every opportunity he could to learn from the ?old timers.? Each time he lent a hand to help shovel or bring bait aboard their boats, they?d offer a few tips on how to find success in the industry. Andrew noted that an early start always helped.
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The advice Andrew would give to someone starting out in the industry is rooted in the values his father instilled in him; always be honest (don?t keep any close lobsters when it comes to the measure or the tail), work hard, lend a helping-hand if needed, and go to college.
Andrew thinks that Maine has done a great job with keeping the fishery sustainable and stated, ?let us do our jobs and leave us alone,? when thinking about the future of the industry. Andrew is concerned that the rules and regulations being placed on fisherman will have negative impacts on the industry. This worries him, especially when thinking about the next generation of fisherman ? like his young son, a 7th generation lobsterman who will attend college in the future. Andrew noted that he is catching the same number of lobsters in the winter as he was 10 years ago, and his catch has been consistent during the winter and summer months.
When asked about his most memorable fishing moments, Andrew talked about boat-to-boat bait fights with his cousins, brothers, and their fathers. Another time, his father pulled up a lobster that was as tall as Andrew. The ocean is astounding, and he hopes that his son has the chance to write an article like this one day.
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