Over the years, several Damariscotta River growers who worked with Dr. Hidu at the Darling Center while completing their degrees at University of Maine at Orono received ongoing support and guidance from the late Ed Myers.
Sam Chapman says Myers became aware of mussel aquaculture through the work of Richard Lutz and Hidu at the Center. “Ed picked up the ball and carried it on his own,” he says. In 1975, Myers obtained Maine aquaculture lease No. 1 to raise mussels at Abandoned Farm in South Bristol.
Pemaquid Oyster rented space for an oyster raft and mooring from Myers, who owned a wharf at Clark’s Cove. Chris Davis, one of Pemaquid’s partners, says Myers took particular pride in being a “wharfinger,” (one who operates a wharf). He reported for duty every day dressed in a white shirt, bow tie and boots, and besides running the wharf, dispensed “sage advice” and support to the Pemaquid partners when they walked by his office.
From the late 1980s until his death two years ago, Myers wrote a column for Working Waterfront, touching frequently on topics related to aquaculture.
“He was always there when we had a question about something,” says Davis, “and always worked hard on protecting the water quality of the river, protecting the marine environment. His concerns went far beyond Damariscotta.”
Since Myers’ death, Myers’ son Tom has become the wharfinger, and the wharf is still used for access by four lobstermen, a mussel farmer, Pemaquid Oyster and several recreational boaters. “Ed felt very strongly about maintaining access for fishermen,” says Jeff McKeen, a Pemaquid partner.
Proceeds from the fourth annual Damariscotta River Oyster Festival, to be held from noon to six p.m. on October 3, will be donated to the Ed Myers Marine Conservation Fund, established in 2002 after Myers died that September. Money from the fund is used to sponsor marine conservation projects at area schools.
Also on hand will be copies of a collection of Myers’ essays, Turnaround, published by Tilbury House and available at local bookstores.
– Muriel Hendrix