ROCKPORT. Picketers braved the bitter chill outside the Samoset Resort for the second day of the 2001 Maine Fishermen's Forum, continuing their protest of the resort's controversial plan to build a yacht marina in Rockland Harbor's best lobstering area.

Dozens of fishermen entering the resort honked and gave thumbs-up gestures as they passed the dozen sign-waving picketers, many slowing to take leaflets

In addition to lost fishing grounds, alarm has been raised by several captains of Rockland's tall ships fleet. These windjammers use the very waters proposed for taking by the Samoset for safe anchorage during the sometimes savage storms that can lash the area.

Hundreds of area residents are shocked by the possibility of marina sprawl into the majestic breakwater park area, one of the state's top coastal landmarks.

Because the Samoset company has so far refused to reconsider its plan, the picketers, who stood at the entry of Samoset property Friday and Saturday mornings, explained to reporters from two television stations and three newspapers

Rockland's Harbor has supported a thriving lobster fishery for more than a century.

In their letter, the Rockland Harbor lobstermen wrote:

"If the Samoset is allowed to build a marina along the inside of the breakwater off of Jameson Point, it will ruin the last safe traditional lobstering area in the Rockland Harbor. When the marina grows over the years, which it will with more floats and moorings, the lobstermen will be seen as a nuisance and this area will be closed to lobstering, as it has in the central mooring area. "

The lobstermen also noted that the area which the Samoset wants to take for its marina is especially good lobster habitat, writing:

"The area along the inside of the Breakwater at Jameson Point is the only safe place of any size in Rockland Harbor left to put traps. Lobsters like that area because of the crevices in the rocks, the kelp and eelgrass. ...This area should be set aside from commercial development to save this last traditional safe area for the future Rockland lobsterman, our children and grandchildren."

The lobstermen say, however, that their plea seems to be falling on deaf ears. The Rockland City Council and Mayor have entirely ignored the fishermen's petition letter, voting instead to draw up a draft contract with Samoset for the marina. State officials, who must also rule on the marina proposal, appear to be willing to force the harbor fishermen out from their traditional fishing area.

"Everyone knows money talks." the lobstermen's letter notes. "The Samoset has a lot more money than we do. But without lobstering in this harbor, what does the Rockland Lobster Festival represent?"

For a copy of the lobstermen's letter, click HERE