Saving Seafood

ALASKA: Loved ones gather for reading of 264 names on Fishermen’s Memorial and the Blessing of the Fleet

May 6, 2024 — Brett Van Alen was a commercial seiner and troller in Southeast Alaska, as well as a fisher for squid and sardines in California, who died last December aboard a boat at the age of 38, according to his father Ben. On Saturday members of Brett’s extended family gathered at the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial for an annual ceremony where his name was announced as one of the six that will be engraved into the memorial wall this summer.

The reading of the 264 names on the wall, including those being engraved this year, to honor people lost at sea and others involved in the fishing industry occurred following the 34th annual Blessing of the Fleet at the downtown wharf.

Ben Van Alen says he’s a deckhand on a commercial troller as well as a government fisheries biologist, and while no other members of the family are commercial fishers “I think I did a little bit” influence on his son becoming one.

“We’ve always been active around the water and then fishing locally, and he just took it up,” he said.

Read the full story at the Juneau Empire

VIRGINIA: Fleet receives blessings

May 11, 2017 — This weekend’s dismal weather cleared up just in time for the 47th annual Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday, May 7 at the Reedville Stack. Though it was a bit windy the sun was shining brightly and the cooler weather gave way to warmth. There was an immense crowd of people in attendance including congressmen Rob Wittman and his family. The day began with a parade of boats including the Elva C., the Chesapeake Breeze, and Smith Point Sea Rescue I, other boaters from across the area representing both commercial fisherman and recreational boaters were in attendance as well. The air was filled with music as the Kilmarnock Pipe Band performed traditional bagpipe tunes.

To officially start the ceremony, American Legion Post 117 presented the colors and singer Courtney Kline dazzled the crowd with her flawless rendition of the National Anthem. The crowd then joined in singing America the Beautiful.

Vice president of operations at Omega protein, Monty Diehl was first to speak and welcomed and thanked the crowd and the speakers for attending the event.

Read the full story at the Northumberland Echo

NORTH CAROLINA: Ceremony to honor county fishermen

September 29, 2016 — Each October, as the N.C. Seafood Festival comes to a close, fishermen and their families are honored during the Blessing of the Fleet.

This year’s ceremony is at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at the N.C. State Port, 113 Arendell St., in Morehead City.

Fishermen spend long, hard days on the water providing a living for their families, and the ceremony draws attention to the work that these men and women provide for their community.

“Every year we gather at the Blessing to honor the men and women who continue to work the water, along with their fathers and grandfathers who went before them,” said Jonathan Robinson, of Atlantic. He is a fisherman, county commissioner and member of the Carteret County Fishermen’s Association. “It is a very special time to those of us who are part of this industry. We hope that somehow this service will inspire the next generation to hold on to this way of life.

“It’s not easy now, and it never has been, but fishing is vital to our communities and our state to provider fresh seafood to consumers everywhere,” Mr. Robinson said. “Commercial fishing is an honorable occupation and worthy of our appreciation for their hard work and perseverance.”

Read the full story at Carolina Coast Online