At the start of every new Legislative Session, legislators are asked which committees they would like to serve on. I am fortunate to be serving as the Senate Chair of the Marine Resources Committee, and as a member of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. I’ve also been asked and agreed to serve on the Government Oversight Committee.

The Marine Resources Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing everything to do with conserving and harvesting the bounty of the sea, including lobstering, fishing, clamming, shrimp trapping and dragging, worming, seaweed harvesting, and aquaculture.

The entire list of bills to come before Marine Resources won’t be released for a few more weeks, but one of the major issues we’ll be taking up is lobstering. Last year was a truly disastrous year for lobster fisherman.

The Department of Marine Resources recognizes the importance of the lobster industry and price problems brought about by record landing, and is holding a series of forums throughout the state for members of the public to voice their opinions and share their concerns about that situation. 

Locally, these forums will be held at the Department of Marine Resources in Boothbay Harbor at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at City Hall in Bath at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 23, and at the Town Hall in Bristol on Monday, Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. 

I have also submitted legislation in this area to help ease some of the problems in the lobster industry. My bill seeks to promote lobster processing in Maine, and encourage consumer-friendly lobster products to help broaden the market for lobsters. I am also interested in hearing any of your thoughts on how to best help the industry.

In addition to the Marine Resources Committee, I will also be serving on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.

As with the Marine Resources Committee, we will not have the list of all bills submitted for a few more weeks. In the meantime, I welcome your thoughts on charter schools, and any other education policy issues of concern.

Finally, I will be serving on the Government Oversight Committee, which is responsible for reviewing government programs to ensure they function as efficiently, effectively, and ethically as possible. 

I encourage you to share your ideas in these areas, and on all bills as they come up for votes before the Maine Senate, with me via email, telephone, or in person. 

On Saturday, I will be at the Village Cafe in Waldoboro from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., and at the Maine Coast Book Shop Cafe in Damariscotta from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Please stop by to share your thoughts, or just say hello.

Senator Christopher Johnson lives in Somerville and represents Maine Senate District 20