New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang conducted an award ceremony today at the Commercial Marine Expo to honor three individuals that have made a significant contribution to the development, growth and sustainability of the New Bedford/Fairhaven working waterfront.
The awards are sponsored by The Professional Mariner Magazine, the City of New Bedford and the Commercial Marine Expo.
Harriet Didriksen was honored for her longtime service and efforts in support of the New England fishing communities.
In addition, posthumous awards were given to the late Capt. Martin "Marty" Manley, and the late Howard Nickerson.
The citations follow:
Harriet Didriksen
Harriet Didriksen is constantly fighting for fishing families, the fishing way of life, and the American dream. She steadfastly attends New England Fisheries Management Council meetings from Connecticut to Maine, and never misses a gathering where she can help fishermen oppose government bureaucrats' undue interference. She is a regular at hearings in Washington – which she attends at her own expense – and is a tireless advocate.
Harriet owns the F/V Settler. She owned the F/V Bagatell, which is now an educational vessel at Stony Brook University. She is owner and operator of New Bedford Ship Supply, one of the oldest ship chandleries on the East Coast.
Mrs. Didriksen's father dragged in the winter and scalloped in the summer. He emigrated from Norway to Brooklyn and moved to New Bedford to be closer to Georges Bank. Her uncles were also fishermen. Her brother is a shore-side business and vessel owner. She is the mother of two.
New England fishermen are fortunate to have her on their side.
Martin S. Manley
The late Capt. Martin "Marty" Manley was a commercial fisherman for 38 years, and at the age of just 19, was one of the youngest skippers out of the Port of New Bedford.
Captain Manley was a tireless advocate for the commercial scallop fishing industry. He was a recognized industry leader and received numerous awards and accolades, including Helmsman of the Year from the Port of Gloucester. He was a member and former President of the Offshore Mariners Association.
During his career, Captain Manley owned and operated several scallopers along the eastern seaboard, the last being the F/V Mary Anne, which he designed, built, and operated with great pride. He served as the director of the City of New Bedford Harbor Development Commission, and later served as manager of the Popes Island Marina until his retirement in 2007. The building of that marina was one of his life's accomplishments.
He served as a member of the New Bedford Redevelopment Authority and the Economic Development Commission.
Howard W. Nickerson
The late Howard Nickerson watched over the New Bedford waterfront for 65 years. He began his career as a young man, tub trawling in a sailing vessel, and moving to commercial fishing on Georges Bank as vessel engineer. Through the decades, Mr. Nickerson participated in the industry from every angle: as a fisherman himself; representing fishermen, seafood dealers, seafood workers, and boat owners; and directing state and municipal agencies — always fighting for fairer regulations.
Mr. Nickerson served as head of the Harbor Development Commission, the State Pier, the Seafood Dealers Association, the Seafood Workers Health-Pension Fund, the New England Fisheries Steering Committee and the Offshore Mariners Association.
A strong advocate of seafood marketing, Mr. Nickerson was involved in organizing the New Bedford Seafood Council and the New Bedford Scallop Festival in the 1950s and '60s, which helped build the market demand that allowed the scallop to become the port's cash leader.
He was a life member of the New Bedford Port Society and proudly served on the Board of Managers for many years. He was deeply concerned about the preservation of the Mariner's Home and the Seaman's Bethel on Johnny Cake Hill and its history with the city waterfront. After his retirement he was a regular guide at the Bethel talking with tourists and citizens alike about the buildings, the waterfront and its history.