With donations still rolling in, organizers of the fundraiser for the Maine Lobstermen’s Association held at Brady’s restaurant in Boothbay Harbor on Sunday, Aug. 7 report that over $50,000 has been raised.

The fundraiser included twin lobsters, (a non-lobster entree was available), clams or mussels, corn, blueberry pie, a live auction and silent auction, entertainment by Maine humorist Tim Sample and guest appearances by former Governor Paul LePage, NewsCenter co-host Sharon Rose who served as emcee, District 89 candidates, Rep. Holly Stover and Tricia Warren, among others.

Proceeds from the event will go to the defense fund and will help with costs of MLA’s lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for their plan to require a 98% cut in the risk to right whales by 2030. MLA, represented by Stoel Rives, is challenging the plan in court. In November 2021, MLA launched a three-year, $10 million fundraising campaign to be used to help protect Maine’s lobstering heritage.

“Doing anything we can to help ensure there is a lobster fishery for the next generation is a no-brainer,” said event organizer and Brady’s owner, Jen Mitchell, in an MLA press release last week. “Boothbay Harbor’s working waterfront is the economic engine of this town, and the lobster industry is in the driver’s seat. Can you imagine what coastal communities like Boothbay would be like if we didn’t have a lobster industry?”

MLA members Troy Plummer and Mark Jones helped organize the event and are challenging other communities to hold similar fundraisers, said Mitchell. The fundraiser was sold out weeks in advance, with ticket sales at $100 per person.

Plummer led the effort to have local lobstermen donate all the lobsters and clams that will be served, and several other supporters and businesses donated raffle and auction prizes including: two prime third base line tickets to two Boston Red Sox/New York Yankees games and a two-night stay in a premium harbor view room at the posh Encore Casino Hotel; an overnight stay at the Oceanside Resort in Boothbay and two rounds of golf at the exclusive, private Boothbay Harbor Country Club; and original lobster tail art donated by Ogunquit artist, Amy Kelly, owner of TailSpinStudio.

Donations to the MLA’s “Save Maine Lobstermen” campaign can be made online at www.savemainelobstermen.org, via VENMO @SaveMaineLobstermen, or by mailing a check to the MLA, 2 Storer Street, Suite 203, Kennebunk, ME 04043.