The Endangered Lobstermen, Eastport, Maine

Photographing Erik Francis of the Passamaquoddy Tribe
The Endangered Lobstermen Series by Cheryl Clegg

As part of my documentary photo series The Endangered Lobstermen, I traveled to coastal Maine to meet and photograph Erik Francis and his family. Erik is a proud member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe—whose ancestral lands extend across the coastal regions of Maine and Canada. My goal with this series is to capture the faces and stories behind Maine's traditional lobster fishing communities, and Erik’s story embodies a legacy that is both powerful and deeply rooted.

Fishing is not just a job for the Passamaquoddy people—it is a vital part of their culture, livelihood, and spiritual relationship with the natural world. These traditions have been passed down for thousands of years, shaping identity and reinforcing a strong sense of community. Today, lobster fishing remains a cornerstone of that heritage.

The Passamaquoddy Tribe holds approximately 23 commercial lobster licenses. These licenses are more than economic assets—they are expressions of tribal sovereignty and tools for cultural preservation. They empower the Tribe to manage their marine resources in alignment with traditional knowledge, ecological wisdom, and deeply held values.

Photographing Erik was a powerful reminder that the Maine lobster industry is made up of more than boats and buoys—it is shaped by families, cultural resilience, and a fight to preserve ancestral ways of life.