ROCKPORT — Green crabs were the subject when more than 65 teachers and students presented to a standing-room-only audience at the Maine Fishermen's Forum Friday, March 6. The group, this year's Eastern Maine Skippers Program students, came from six coastal high schools: Deer Isle-Stonington, George Stevens Academy, Jonesport-Beals, Narraguagus, North Haven and Vinalhaven. The students provided in-depth scientific details of their proposed final projects.

As part of Eastern Maine Skippers Program's (EMSP) year-long collaborative project investigating the green crabs, students have begun to conduct monitoring studies to determine how prevalent the invasive species is in their local communities before researching, designing, and presenting a solution to the green crab "invasion."

The students' solutions must take into account successfully mitigating the green crabs' impact on the local environment, exploration of new markets, management of the species as a potential resource, and efficiently harvesting green crabs.

The presentations began with an assessment of the overall green crab problem and explained why the students have taken on this problem for EMSP's year-long project. Each of the schools took turns explaining which direction they decided to take their project.

The proposals ranged from new trap design from Narraguagus to "crab rangoons" and green crab sushi rolls from Jonesport-Beals. Vinalhaven and Deer Isle-Stonington students both talked about how EMSP has changed their school experience and expressed gratitude for having this program in their schools.

Deer Isle-Stonington will be exploring the impact green crabs may or may not have on the lobster industry. George Stevens Academy surprised everyone when they described a partnership they have already brokered with two local golf courses where they can experiment with a green crab fertilizer the students are developing.

After the presentations, the floor was opened up to questions for the schools and comments/questions about the program. A parent brought the room to tears when she stated "Since joining the Skippers program this year my son has gone from D's to B's and talks my ear off at home about what they have been working on in class. I want to thank all of the EMSP teachers and staff for providing this opportunity from my son," according to a news release.

This then began a wonderful round of applause for all the teachers and students during which John Williams, a Stonington fishermen, stood up to address the teachers of EMSP, "I just want to thank all of the teachers who are involved with EMSP and express my gratitude for what you are doing for these students. We know you are going above and beyond normal teacher duties and asking for nothing in return."

The overall mood in the room was one of appreciation, pride, and pure joy of watching these students present to a standing room only crowd. The students will now put their proposals into action and present their findings to a panel of judges in May.

The Eastern Maine Skippers' trip to this year's Maine Fishermen's Forum was made possible through to the generous support of Camden National Bank. Funds provided by the Bank helped cover the school costs of transportation, food, and substitutes for the students and teachers attending the event. In addition, representatives from Camden National's commercial lending team sat in on the students' presentations and provided feedback on the viability each of the business ideas. Students interested in further discussing potential financial options for their projects were then invited to the Bank's booth to connect and speak with a banker following the presentations.

"Camden National believes in the importance of supporting our coastal communities and contributing to the education and success of our future leaders," said Joanne Campbell, executive vice president, risk management, Camden National Bank, in the news release. "We were proud to be a part of the Skippers' trip to this year's Fishermen's Forum and to lend a helping hand to these young entrepreneurs and this groundbreaking collaboration between our eastern Maine high schools."

By investigating the scope of and potential solutions to the "green crab invasion", students are having an opportunity to learn and practice important skills such as active citizenship, public speaking, interpreting and using data, and applied science and engineering that will prepare them for modern fishing careers as well as post-secondary education. The project has further application beyond their high school education; however, as students are conducting "real world" research that communities can use as they seek to sustain the fishing economies that are so important to Downeast communities.

About the Eastern Maine Skippers Program:

In 2012, Deer Isle Stonington High School and Penobscot East Resource Center, a Stonington-based organization dedicated to a fishing future for Eastern Maine Communities, collaborated to create the Eastern Maine Skippers Program. EMSP is a regional program which aims to provide aspiring commercial fishermen in schools from North Haven to Eastport the skills needed to be successful fishermen in a time of rapid environmental and regulatory change.

A cohort of more than 50 students from Vinalhaven, North Haven, Deer Isle-Stonington, MDI, Narraguagus, and Jonesport-Beals High Schools as well as George Stevens Academy remain in their schools and collaborate in the program via technology-based "anytime, anywhere" learning.

Students also meet in person 3-4 times per year to participate in events such as meetings with the Department of Marine Resources and the Maine Fishermen's Forum.

For more information about the Eastern Maine Skippers Program, visit sites.google.com/a/dishs.org/msp/eastern-maine-skipper-s-program.

For more information on Penobscot East Resource Center, visit www.penobscoteast.org.