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🎙️ Q-Point Podcast | Jason Joyce — Part One

“One-Tenth Of One Percent Is Actually Tested By The FDA.”

In Part One, Jason Joyce, Director of Advocacy at the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA), returns to Q-Point—joining Corenna and David Quirk in studio, with additional updates following meetings in Washington, D.C.—to discuss a range of urgent issues impacting Maine’s fishing industry.

The conversation opens with the controversy surrounding Maine Department of Labor actions involving Representative Billy Bob Faulkingham, with Joyce outlining concerns from fishermen who feel the situation reflects broader targeting and misapplication of labor laws. He explains how early exposure for young people on lobster boats has long been a safe, community-driven tradition essential to sustaining Maine’s coastal workforce and culture.

Joyce also details upcoming zone council meetings with DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson, where integrating youth into the industry and addressing regulatory concerns will be a top priority. He emphasizes the distinction between the Department of Labor’s actions and the Department of Marine Resources’ efforts to resolve the issue collaboratively.

The discussion then shifts to federal policy, including Joyce’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., where he observed conversations surrounding the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the USDA’s newly established Office of Seafood. He highlights major concerns about imported seafood—specifically that only a fraction is inspected, with a significant portion failing testing—and calls for stronger oversight and accountability.

Additional topics include the American Seafood Competitiveness Act, access to federal funding for fishermen, loan and financing challenges, and the potential for expanded opportunities across the industry—from individual lobstermen to larger processing operations.

The episode also includes a somber acknowledgment of the tragic loss of a Maine lobsterman, underscoring the inherent risks of the profession and the tight-knit nature of coastal communities.

📻 Airs weekends on The Voice of Maine (101.3 FM, 103.9 FM & The Voice of Maine App).
⬇️ 🎧 Now streaming on QPointPodcast.com | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music & more.
Pre-recorded, produced, and sponsored by Corenna Quirk, Broker at NextHome Experience. The views and opinions expressed are those of the guests and do not necessarily represent those of the hosts, Q-Point Podcast associates, or affiliates.

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