MCSPC Distinguished Maine Policy Fellow Retiring

Gulf of Maine as seen from a Whale Watching boat. — By Dirk Ingo Franke - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21741280

February 20, 2025 General News

Patrick Keliher, the longtime Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, has announced his retirement. During his tenure, Keliher oversaw significant developments in Maine’s marine industries, including record increases in the lobster fishery’s landed value and navigating regulatory challenges.

DMR Commissioner Pat Keliher presents Machiasport fisherman Mike Murphy with the 2018 DMR Andy Mays Award of Excellence at last night's Fishermen's Forum banquet. Photo courtesy of Maine DMR.

In 2014, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center honored him with a Distinguished Maine Policy Fellowship for his extensive work in marine resources policy development.