who we are, how we fish and our connection to the sea

FISH TALES

F/V Isabel and Lilee Celebrates 'Know Your Fisherman'   

The sun was blazing hot, but everyone at the Bass River Farmers Market was smiling as they approached Denice Lapierre at the F/V Isabel and Lilee tent to pick up scallops or put in an order for fish.

They stop to talk about most anything:

PLUMBING THE DEPTHS

Small Boats. Big Science. The Cape's Arctic connection

When scientists were poised to install the Coastal Pioneer Array, a system that depends on 7 mooring sites as well as underwater gliders and autonomous underwater vehicles, fishermen raised alarms about all that instrumentation in the ocean.

Glen Gawarkiewicz, a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution senior scientist who relies on data from the array, remembers the “hullabaloo” and one meeting where researchers explained how information collected would increase oceanic understanding.

AIDS TO NAVIGATION

Community gathers under the tent at Hookers Ball  

With vats supplied by Tom Smith, Ray Kane swung past lobster traps at Kurt Martin’s house and pulled a big Chatham Fish and Lobster Truck around the back early Saturday, August 6.

Kane, outreach coordinator at the Fishermen’s Alliance, joined other staff members shoveling ice from Martin’s freezer into additional vats that would later hold scallops from Jesse Rose and the F/V Midnight Our, as well as local haddock. 

CHARTING THE PAST

Bill Amaru tells a scary storm story

An occasion occurred back in 1978 on an early September day off the coast of Cape Cod which serves as an example of how horribly wrong a forecast can be. The marine forecast that morning for the waters east of the Cape was for light winds and clear skies out to Georges Bank, the rich fishing ground and destination for fleets of boats from Portland, Maine to New Bedford, Mass. The Chatham fleet of small longliners was well positioned to be able to access the shoals and depths of the Georges' fishery. Located farther to the east and closer than any other port, Chatham boats were at home many miles out to sea, especially when the forecast was as good as it was that day.

A DAY IN PHOTOS

Like old times with dear friends and new ones for Hookers Ball

After one virtual Hookers Ball, and another clam bake-style at the Fishermen’s Alliance office, there was some talk about waiting one more year before having a huge gathering.

But John Pappalardo, CEO of the Fishermen’s Alliance, kept getting the same message from folks: “Put that damn tent up! People need something to celebrate.”

So we did and people gathered for fun, frivolity and food under the big white tent at the Chatham VFW. It was “Aboat Time.”

Check out the photos of the Hookers Ball XXI, which celebrated the Cape’s fishing industry and the community it represents.

Photos by Salty Broad Studios

OVER THE BAR

Bluefin tuna, the real story

By John Pappalardo

For a long time, there has been a collective idea that bluefin tuna are endangered, something like the white rhinos of the sea.

The truth is very different, and much more encouraging:

Bluefin tuna are plentiful, in large part because of national and international efforts to rebuild stocks, and harvest in appropriate amounts.

That’s not to say conflicts and problems have vanished.

How many bluefin is the right number to land, while maintaining a healthy population, remains a big question. 

On the Horizon

We have lots of exciting stuff happening.

A huge congratulations to our amazing #fishrunfalmouth runners who have crossed the finish line in the iconic 7-mile Asics Falmouth Road Race 2022! We were thrilled to be one of 184 organizations participating in the race as part of the Number for Non-Profits program. We are so appreciative of everyone’s fundraising efforts with the team collectively raising $16,327! Thank you to Cristi Altman, Ken Baughman, Alex Corcoran, Cordy Elkins, Monica Heuer, Brigid Krug, Carol Mackenzie, Kathryn Mandalakis, Heather Morin, Molly Ogren, Brendon Parker, Corey Sherman, Stephanie Sykes and Brian Tobin. Check out our team page and photos here.

Join us for the next Meet the Fleet event on Wednesday, September 28 at 5pm. Hosted by our generous sponsor, Nauset Marine at their marina in East Orleans at 235 Main Street. Hear from local fishermen about Cape Cod seafood and their on-the-water experiences, enjoy a sampling of seafood, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. You can reserve your space to attend on our website – ticket sales open Wednesday, August 31. 

 Thank you to all who helped make Hookers Ball XXI, It’s Aboat Time, a huge success. With more than 400 guests in attendance, we raised $280,000 and attendees enjoyed learning more about the local fishing industry and the work of the Fishermen’s Alliance. This year the featured seafood included haddock, skate, quahogs, oysters, scallops, and lobster. Watch this year’s video to learn about three community programs from the Fishermen’s Alliance.   

On the Water

Ever wonder how a boat, or a fish, got its name? Want the word on what people are catching --- or how to cook it?

Great news! Our Provençal Fish Stew and Haddock Chowder are now available to the public - $10 per 18 oz. container $60 per 8 lb. food service bag. Your purchase allows us to continue providing local seafood to local and regional food banks. Available for pick-up at the Fishermen’s Alliance Monday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pre-order to ensure availability. Bring your cooler – it’s frozen!

The Small Boats, Big Taste Program was launched in 2020 as a response to fishing and food security challenges exacerbated by COVID-19, with two goals: Help small-boat, independent fishermen stay on the water, and supply food banks with a nutritious, delicious seafood meals. This program grew out of the Fish for Families collaboration with The Family Pantry of Cape Cod. Since 2013 that program annually distributed thousands of pounds of locally-caught seafood to families across Cape Cod least able to afford it. Since summer of 2020, the Small Boats, Big Taste Program has produced more than 1.3 million servings of chowder and stew, donated to food banks across Massachusetts, including the Cape. We guarantee fishermen a fair price for landing the fish, ensuring a steady buyer and keeping independent fishermen at work. Click here for more information. 

On the Shore

This community thrives in large part because of a constellation of non-profit organizations and engaged businesses.

We have been warmly received by selectboards up and down the Cape as we present the “Port Profile Project,” which we worked on with the state Division of Marine Fisheries and UMass Boston’s Urban Harbors Institute. We are one-third of the way through our town visits, impressed and gratified by officials’ support of the commercial fishing industry and the wider “Blue” economy. As working waterfronts continue to face myriad pressures, including ballooning property values, town support will be increasingly important. Read an article on our visit to Harwich here. 

Many efforts and missions in the community relate to ours, as we consider how to keep an independent local fishery healthy. For example, “Sustainable Practices Cape Cod” is sponsoring a film, “The Box Truck Home, Rebuilding a Reuseful Home” at the Chatham Orpheum theater on Sept. 3 at 10 a.m.  

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries staff have spent several months crunching numbers and have released strong specifics for fisheries on Cape Cod. We will be exploring the numbers further, but want to highlight a few: ex-vessel value (payment directly to fishing boats) in most ports has gone up in the last few years with Chatham reaching almost $15 million and Provincetown $12 million; Wellfleet still holds the top oyster spot with a value of $6.1 million followed closely by Barnstable at $5 million; black sea bass – once a southern species – grows in importance with high values in Dennis, Chatham and Falmouth.

On the Hook

We do a lot of reading, searching through the wide world of fisheries, and often find intriguing pieces to share. In the old days, you might call this your clipping service. 

A blanket change in federal rules, affecting communities where people have houseboats, may hurt the shellfish industry in Chatham. Town officials are paying attention. Read more in the Cape Cod Chronicle.  

Maura Healey, frontrunner for governor, recently said it is important for the state to support the fishing industry economically, culturally and historically. Yes, we agree. Read more about Healey’s comments, and what fishermen had to say, in this Gloucester Times piece. 

Winter flounder was once commonly caught on Cape Cod. This story out of Rhode Island says new evidence is showing that stricter fishing regulations won’t help – flounder is a “climate loser.” Read more here. 

Chatham is soliciting letters of interest from experienced entities to staff, operate, maintain, and manage the  Chatham Municipal Fish Pier's South Packing Bay. The lease is short-term, while the town develops an Request for Proposals. For more information : Scanned Document (chatham-ma.gov). Questions email snealey@chatham-ma.gov