October 2, 2023 - Brunswick, Maine
Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (MCFA), a local nonprofit focused on rebuilding the fisheries of the Gulf of Maine and sustaining Maine’s fishing communities for future generations, participated in the Maine Marathon Sunday, October 1, in Portland for the third year in a row in support of their Fishermen Wellness program. MCFA staff, colleagues, and supporters all ran in the race to raise funds for and awareness of this program.
MCFA’s Fishermen Wellness program is the result of a collaborative effort with partners and experts in the healthcare field that addresses various facets of fishermen’s health from physical and mental well-being to things like adequate sleep and hydration. The program also advocates for more resources to support the mental health and well-being of commercial fishermen..
Team Flying Fish raised over $7,000 at this year’s Maine Marathon in support of Fishermen Wellnness. This year’s team was bigger than ever with three relay teams, two full marathon runners, and two half marathon runners. Additional relay teams this year were the Racing Redfish and the Leaping Lobsters, a team including Luke Holden, founder of Luke’s Lobster along with three staff members.
The full fundraising team of over a dozen runners enjoyed a sunny day for this year’s marathon and the opportunity to raise awareness and funding support for the Fishermen Wellness program. Team member Keith Bisson, President of Coastal Enterprises, Inc., said, “I have been moved by MCFA’s work to support the health of people in the fishing industry and want to support that as well as my friends and colleagues at MCFA.” Sarah Breul, owner of two Portland-based commercial groundfish trawlers, said, “I appreciate MCFA's focus on mental health and wellness for the fishing workforce.”
MCFA’s Director of Community Programs, Monique Coombs, described the importance of the Fishermen Wellness program by saying, “We are thrilled to have the support of three teams dedicated to MCFA’s Fishermen Wellness program. It’s so great for people to be able to support a program focused on enhancing health and wellness through the power of teamwork and running, both of which can significantly support one’s own health. The Fishermen Wellness program is so important for raising awareness about everything going on in Maine fishing communities and advocating for more resources to support the mental health and well-being of Maine’s commercial fishermen.”
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