Thursday, May 23, 2024 Up and down the Maine coast, hundreds of small, family-owned fishing businesses are grappling with the aftermath of a devastating storm that battered their wharves. The record tidal surge on January 13 caused extensive damage, leaving many businesses struggling to rebuild and impacting the region’s tourism. Lauren and Sadia Crosby, who own Oysthers Sea Farm in Georgetown and Oysthers Raw Bar and Bubbly in Bath, are among the affected business owners.
The storm wreaked havoc on their family-owned wharf, causing significant damage. The damage has put both of the Crosbys’ businesses in jeopardy. As relatively new ventures, they lack the financial buffer to absorb such a catastrophic loss, leading to a significant emotional and financial strain.
The Crosbys had plans to open a second oyster farm, but the extensive damage to their wharf has forced them to put these plans on hold. The future of their businesses is uncertain without the necessary repairs. Despite the widespread damage, many family-owned fishing businesses like the Crosbys’ have not received any help from FEMA, the state, or insurance companies.
The stringent requirements for federal and state assistance have left them without support. The damage to Maine’s coastal fishing infrastructure extends beyond the immediate financial impact on the businesses. The region’s tourism, heavily reliant on the charm and operational status of these family-owned ventures, is also at risk.
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