The Watermen of Georgetown

“We really feel that this is a way to not just revitalize our community, but the entire marine economy up and down the coast of Maine.”

After discovering the significant decline in his town’s marine economy and the subsequent emigration of its youth, Pat Burns established Georgetown Aquaculture in an attempt to restore Georgetown’s vibrant marine economy. To supplement their current clamming and lobstering efforts, several “watermen” venture into the cultivation of oysters and discuss the impacts aquaculture has had on their lives. This video not only documents the watermen’s efforts to revitalize Georgetown, but offers a broader story of hope for other small, struggling Maine communities with strong historical and cultural ties to the sea.

Film by Annie Lee