On March 4, lobstering pros from Tasmania, West Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and the Caribbean are scheduled to arrive in Maine for the Maine Fishermen’s Forum and then spend the remainder of their sojourn at a series of community meetings and suppers and hosting talks along the coast — culminating in a trip to the Boston Seafood Show on March 14.(images courtesy of Maine Fishermen’s Forum)

Maine lobstermen are encouraged to come “talk shop” with their peers from overseas and share ideas on gear, bait-usage and ways to weather the recession. “During these challenging times, it’s important to share information and hear about what’s working for lobstermen in other regions,” said Patrice McCarron, Executive Director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association.

I applaud to MLA for their initiative. Learning from your peers on a global level is intelligent and progressive, and hopefully will benefit Maine’s most precious of resources — its commercial fisherman and the product he brings to market.

So, if you meet lobstermen with foreign accents next week, thank them for traveling so far to share what they know to help improve our local economy. Maybe offer them a meal or a ride to the wharf. And if they look a little overwhelmed, be sure to apologize for all of the snow.

Jessica Strelitz is a contributing writer to Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine.