Reprinted with permission from Commercial Fisheries News. August 2025. Antonia Small – FishAbility “Whoops!” says Bella, my colleague and traveling companion, as we descend into avalley east of Santa Fe. “We’re two ladies in a Mercedes.” The rental—above our paygrade—had kept us cool through our week in Las Cruces, conferencing at the annualAgrAbility National Training […]
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The annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum will be taking place this year again at the Samoset resort in Rockport on February 27, 28, and March 1st. Maine FishAbility staff will be available each day in the Healthy Fishermen area located in the Penbay room to provide information and resources. Maine FishAbility staff will appear on fishermen’s […]
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By Antonia Small, ERYT-500, Maine AgrAbility, January 2025. I’d rather be with the bears than do yoga,” said Heather Strout Thompson (F/V Gold Digger) when she and I first met. Wild guess: you’ve never set foot in a yoga studio. I mean, it’s hard to know who yoga is for, when it’s advertised as super bendy […]
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By Antonia Small, RYT E-500, Maine AgrAbility, November 2024. Years ago, I stood in the kitchen of a Monhegan lobsterman, admiring his new son. His nephews, ages 4 and 2, were visiting. Someone made the comment to the older boys that it would be their responsibility to show the newborn “the ropes.” Our adult brains […]
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You don’t have to be a sports fan to know that this month kicks off baseball spring training. Preseason began in 1886, by Albert Spalding (founder of the Spalding Ball Co.) who was then president of the Chicago White Socks, and Cap Anson, a former baseball player. They chose Hot Springs Arkansas for its warm […]
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Morgan Becker, B.S., OT/S Johnson & Wales University Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Doctorate Have you ever been pulling in a lobster trap and experienced pain or swelling at the base of your thumb? Maybe even coupled with a “sticking” sensation when you move your thumb and wrist? Well, those symptoms might be caused by De Quervain’s […]
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Toni Small of Ice House Oysters has been an aquaculture farmer with her husband John Cotton for five years. They currently farm diploid oysters in Port Clyde, Maine. John (62) has a traditional background in fishing, including tuna and other pelagic game fish, lobster, and groundfish. Toni (53) has a background in dance and became […]
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As published on Page 28 in the SEPTEMBER 2023 issue of Commercial Fisheries News Few jobs are as physically punishing as commercial fishing. The average day’s work would challenge any CrossFit program, with the added strain of being done in positions and conditions markedly less ideal than in the gym. The risk for musculoskeletal injuries, […]
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As published on Page 28 in the JUNE 2023 issue of Commercial Fisheries News By James Wall, Occupational Therapy Student University of Southern Maine From the moment you wrap your fingers around that first cup of coffee in the morning through hauling traps, handling line, and operating boats, your hands play a critical role […]
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As written in the January 2023 edition (Pg 28) of Commercial Fisheries News Each New Year, 30-50% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. The practice helps us frame a vision of where we want to be in the future and invites sober self-assessment. Weight loss tops the popularity list, but fitness goals in general are […]
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