Partners of Commercial Fishermen Megan Waldrep

We've got a seat at the table! This is a behind-the-scenes look at a candid phone call with Dr. Laurel Kincl of Oregon State University. She called to learn from our POCF experience and ask what we would suggest to make fishing safer. I'm sharing because I want you to know that others outside the industry care and want to hear our opinions on the matter to improve commercial fishing at large! Also, your opinion is greatly welcomed! The Fishermen Led Injury Prevention Program (FLIPP) is conducting research over the next several years and would love your thoughts. After listening, what questions do you have or improvements would you suggest? Please send them to support@meganwaldrep.com or connect with the FLIPP team at https://health.oregonstate.edu/labs/osh/resources/flipp
UPDATE: Dr. Kincl emailed the local Coast Guard to answer my question on life-saving techniques if a fisherman is overboard and boots fill with water:
"The removal of boots is always an interesting question.  AMSEA (and us as well) have done demonstrations where a person who finds themselves in the water shouldn’t concern themselves with kicking off their boots.  Not every situation is 100% for sure, but in most cases, the guidance is to stay still and concentrate on flotation.  Air is often trapped inside of rain gear, clothing, and even the boots themselves.  Thrashing around trying to swim will allow the air to escape.  In the example you presented, the person is already in a PFD.  So, my recommendation is to keep the boots on. For our Coast Guard boat crewmen, they are in a dry suit, PFD, and are wearing very heavy boots. We leave our boots on. Even with someone in the water without a PFD, with the air trapped in the clothing, some flotation will be experienced.
In my experience with swimming (ocean survival training and finishing 2 Ironman triathlons) the majority of swimming propulsion comes from the arms. In the AMSEA drill class, we teach the chain swim, which is 100% arm strokes." - USCG D13 Chief of the Fishing Vessel Safety Mike Rudolph
Other Helpful Resources Mentioned by Dr. Kincl:
Fishing Partnership Support Services (FPSS): https://fishingpartnership.org
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association: https://www.amsea.org/
EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR POCFS!
Private Forum: If you want to connect further with others in our community, I’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum is a safe space for us to chat with POCFs all over the world to share our thoughts and feelings without judgment. If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum!

Who wants free money? Sounds too good to be true, but it can happen! POCF Bri Dwyer explains the grant writing process and how you can apply to get grants and loans to help your personal fishing business and your community, too. I love this episode because, although you may know Bri from the wildly popular show Deadliest Catch, this conversation shows how a partner of a commercial fisherman works hard to give back to the industry. We also hear updates on family life and what Alaska means to Bri, which makes this episode extra sweet.
To check out the films Bri and team made for the Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers from the grant money, visit their YouTube channel here.
To learn more about Bri and see her amazing photography, visit bridwyerimages.com or Instagram @bri.dwyer.
EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR POCFS!
If you want to connect further with others in our community, I’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum is a safe space for us to chat with POCFs all over the world to share our thoughts and feelings without judgment. If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum!

This is a POCF celebrity interview! Tuanette Dixon of the Newport Fishermen's Wives out of Newport, Oregon shares what it's really like to support a local fishing community, the important role they play in keeping fishermen and families cared for, and how you can join if you're in Newport, too!
To learn more about the Newport Fishermen's Wives, check out Taunette's interview on meganwaldrep.com or visit newportfishermenswives.com. 
Must read: Salt in our Blood by Michelle Longo Eder
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS!
Private Forum: If you want to connect further with others in our community, I’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum is a safe space for us to chat with POCFs all over the world to share our thoughts and feelings without judgment. If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum!
Beach Retreat: There’s also an opportunity to meet with POCFs in person! I’m hosting the first-ever beach retreat this September, and it will be a time to rest, recharge, and connect on a deep level with an intimate group of women. There’s something to be said about chatting in real life with people who “get us,” and this experience will be magical in that way, to say the least. Click here to join the All-Inclusive POCF Retreat happening this fall, 2023! We'd love to meet you!

How does the only national magazine for the commercial fishing industry do it? National Fisherman Content Specialist & POCF Carli Stewart shares what it's like behind the press (it takes a lot!), how her childhood as a commercial fishing kid shapes her point of view, and the ways she connects with the industry, which also includes a trip to the Pacific Marine Expo this year. We'd love for you to join us!
To learn more about National Fisherman Magazine and to sign up for the weekly newsletter, visit www.nationalfisherman.com
To get tickets to the Pacific Marine Expo (and hang with Carli and Me at the National Fisherman booth and more), visit www.pacificmarineexpo.com
To check out Carli's personal boat decal business, CCals Maine, visit @ccalsmaine on Instagram. 
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS!
Private Forum: If you want to connect further with others in our community, I’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum is a safe space for us to chat with POCFs all over the world to share our thoughts and feelings without judgment. If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum!
Beach Retreat: There’s also an opportunity to meet with POCFs in person! I’m hosting the first-ever beach retreat this September, and it will be a time to rest, recharge, and connect on a deep level with an intimate group of women. There’s something to be said about chatting in real life with people who “get us,” and this experience will be magical in that way, to say the least. Click here to join the All-Inclusive POCF Retreat happening this fall, 2023! We'd love to meet you!

We think about it every time our fisherman leaves but isn't discussed because it's too hard to bear. Tammy Roberts lost her fisherman at sea six years ago, and she shares her experience with grief, how she found support, and the incredible work she's doing with the Seaworthy Foundation to make sure all vessels are safe for fishermen. Join us for this emotional interview that puts into perspective the love of a fisherman's wife and the resiliance that comes from the ultimate sacrifice.
To learn more, visit https://seaworthyfoundation.org/, https://www.shawfund.org/, or contact Tammy at @tmroberts428 on Instagram or email Mike Flynn at mflynn@flnnywirkus.com. 
EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR POCFS!
Private Forum: If you want to connect further with others in our community, I’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum is a safe space for us to chat with POCFs all over the world to share our thoughts and feelings without judgment. If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum!

This is a passionate interview with founder Julie Kuchepatov of Seafood and Gender Equality. We talk about the traditional and modern roles of POCFs, the importance of our contribution to the industry, and why we matter.
To further connect with Julie, visit seafoodandgenderequality.org, listen to The Conch Podcast, or join The Bloom Networking Community. 
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS!
*Want to hang out in real life? Click here to join the All-Inclusive POCF Retreat happening this September, 2023. We'd love to meet you!
*If you want to connect with other POCFs just like you, click here to join the private forum.
With love & #POCFpride!