February 20, 2025 — The longest-serving commissioner in DMR history, Patrick Keliher, leaves a legacy of powerful advocacy and support for Maine’s marine industries and environment.
Governor Janet Mills today announced that Patrick Keliher, commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), will retire from his position on March 14, 2025
Keliher is the longest-serving commissioner in DMR history. He was re-appointed by Governor Mills as DMR Commissioner in 2019 after serving in the position since 2012. Over his tenure, Keliher has earned a reputation as a strong and influential voice for the protection of Maine’s marine resources and environment and a powerful advocate for the Maine industries, communities, and people that depend on them.
Under Keliher’s leadership, DMR worked to strengthen Maine’s commercial and recreational fisheries and aquaculture industry through responsible management and industry partnerships. He worked closely with Maine’s Federal delegation and State lawmakers to protect Maine’s fisheries and marine environment and expand investments to restore fish passage and marine habitats. In recent years, he led State efforts to help Maine’s marine industries recover from the pandemic and rebuild working waterfronts after devastating winter storms last year.