Downeast

An insider’s look at the daily lives of Maine’s lobster fishermen. What is it like to live and work in a lobster fishing village in one of the most remote parts of Maine? The extreme weather conditions of the Maine coast, unreliable fishing seasons and an ever-present element of danger are just a few of the challenges encountered by lobster fishermen. They must adapt to constant change and balance exploiting the natural resource for personal profit with a duty to conserve lobster stocks for future generations. Despite the challenges, most would not trade the benefits of their job—from the independence it offers to unique pastimes like lobster boat racing. These fishermen aren’t just the masters of their ships, they are the captains of their souls. From a family of four generations of lobster fishermen, Christina Lemieux Oragano provides a glimpse inside these lobstering communities and celebrates it for those lucky enough to live it—the trials, triumphs and even a few of her favorite lobster recipes. “Her first book is a comprehensive, authentic, and honest insider’s look at the life of a Maine lobsterman. The book covers the strategy involved (they don’t just plunk those traps anywhere), the complexities of the market, the perils of the profession, the finer points of lobster-boat design, and even the unwritten rules that lobstermen use to police their waters (they are strictly, if unofficially, enforced).” —Colby Magazine “With an abundance of romanticized and dramatic fishing stories on the shelves, Christina wanted to tell the story in an accurate way and felt a responsibility not just to the fishermen but to her family also.” —Machias Valley Observer “Christina lived in Cutler, worked in the industry and then interviewed a number of people to make this book possible. My first question for her is when will the next book come out?” —Maine Coastal News