Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher, who has been in the role for 14 years and played a crucial role in important negotiations with federal officials and rebuilding the coast after storms, is retiring next month according to Gov. Janet Mills. Keliher, who initially served under Republican Gov. Paul LePage and later under Democratic Gov. Mills due to his strong relationship with the fishing industry, emphasized the importance of listening and building relationships with fishermen. His retirement announcement comes after a recent disagreement with lobstermen over federal rules on minimum lobster size, which was ultimately dropped by the feds. In his retirement statement, Keliher highlighted the people he worked with and the challenges in the marine sector that require tough conversations. The search for a permanent replacement for Keliher will involve hearings before the Maine Legislature’s Marine Resources Committee and confirmation by the Maine Senate. Those interested in local news can stream on NEWS CENTER Maine+ or download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app for breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts.
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