A lobsterman, a seaweed farmer and a surfer called for an end to offshore drilling and oil spills such as the one spewing from BP America’s drilling site in the Gulf of Mexico.

They spoke at a gathering of about 30 people on East End Beach in Portland before a half-dozen people stood on their surfboards and paddled them into Casco Bay to symbolize standing up against offshore drilling.

Additional Photos

Mark Spaulding of Arundel paddles a paddleboard to East End Beach as part of a protest against offshore oil drilling.
Mark Spaulding of Arundel paddles a paddleboard to East End Beach as part of a protest against offshore oil drilling. Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer
In the wake of the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, people gather at East End Beach in Portland today to voice opposition to offshore oil drilling. The protest included members of the Maine chapter of the Sierra Club, members of Repower Maine, and people representing the state's fishing industry and ocean-related tourism businesses. Holding signs, from right, are Andrew Kain, Sarah Adams Bigney and Greg Brown.
In the wake of the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, people gather at East End Beach in Portland today to voice opposition to offshore oil drilling. The protest included members of the Maine chapter of the Sierra Club, members of Repower Maine, and people representing the state's fishing industry and ocean-related tourism businesses. Holding signs, from right, are Andrew Kain, Sarah Adams Bigney and Greg Brown. Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer

“We are blowing it,” said Nanci Boutet, owner of Aquaholics Surf Shop in Kennebunk.

The event was organized by the Sierra Club.

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