Maine boasts 3,500 miles of coast along the Atlantic Ocean. The ocean supports endangered and vulnerable species like whales, dolphins and sea turtles. Residents and visitors also enjoy our beaches, activities like whale watching and kayaking and eating lobster and other seafood. The coasts and oceans support our communities.

In addition to the activities and amenities that the coasts and oceans give Maine, the Atlantic is also critical to the world’s food supply. The average American eats about 15 pounds of fish per year. And, in Maine alone, the seafood industry brings in over half a billion dollars each year, helping to support Maine’s economy.

We need to continue to protect our coasts and oceans. The Trump administration is proposing to drill for oil off the Atlantic coast, conduct seismic testing in the ocean, which disrupts marine life with airguns, and eliminate our only Atlantic National Monument, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts. We need our senators to stand together to protect Maine’s beautiful coast and ocean and promote policies that will lead to healthier and cleaner oceans and coasts.

Jacqueline Guyol

Portland