ROCKPORT, Maine (AP) One of the most influential commercial fishing groups in New England is handing over its top position to a new leader for the first time in almost three decades.
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association has elected Kristan Porter of Cutler to replace David Cousens of South Thomaston. Cousens served as president since 1991. Porter took over on Friday during a meeting at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum.
Porter had previously been vice president of the group. Cousens stepped down from his position on good terms with the organization.
Porter’s taking over the 1,200-member association after a year in which fishermen caught a little more than 110.8 million pounds (50.3 million kilograms) of lobster. That followed a stretch of five consecutive years in which Maine topped 120 million pounds (54 million kilograms) annually.
