Saving Seafood

MASSACHUSETTS: Cooking class serves up less popular fish in delicious way

July 3, 2018 — If cod and haddock are your go to fish at the local fish market, you might consider venturing out and making some waves with other — just as delicious — species that are so much easier on the wallet.

Thanks to a grant from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, the New Bedford Port Authority and the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, a free cooking class was held recently demonstrating pollock and scup as the main entree.

The class was taught by Chef Henry Bousquet at New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical High School.

The next class on July 25 features red fish and whiting and will involve how to cook and serve a whole fish.

The final class is set for Aug. 15 is entitled “Crafting Sauces that enhance and highlight underutilized species.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Seafood Soirée to Benefit New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center

July 2, 2018 — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

Enticing seafood appetizers from some of the area’s finest chefs are on the menu for a Seafood Soirée, the first gala fundraiser to benefit the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center.

Scheduled for the evening of July 19th at the Wamsutta Club at the James Arnold Mansion, a Seafood Soirée will feature the bounty of the sea with over a dozen dishes prepared by area chefs, as well as handmade desserts; live gypsy jazz by Hot Club Cheese Roll; and live and chance auctions.

“We invite the community to join us for this fun and delectable evening, a showcase of seafood from the nation’s most valuable fishing port,” says Executive Director Laura Orleans. “We are grateful to all our chefs, restaurants, seafood companies, and sponsors for their role in helping us promote the local seafood industry.”

The event is sponsored by BayCoast Bank, Eastern Fisheries, Farm Credit East, SouthCoast Media Group, and the Wamsutta Club at the James Arnold Mansion.

The cocktail hour from 5:30 to 6:30 pm will feature sushi from Turk’s Seafoodin Mattapoisett; shrimp cocktail from Kyler’s Catch in New Bedford; and a cheese platter donated by The Pasta House in Fairhaven.

From 6:30 to 7:30, signature seafood dishes will be offered by the following chefs (committed to date):

  • Clam Chowder donated by Blount Fine Foods;
  • Smoked Eel (or unagi), Deviled Egg, Pea Greens on crostini created by Chris Chronin of Farm and Coast Market, Pandanaram;
  • A red crab dish created by Chefs Arthur Dill and Helder Costa from Chartwells Dining Service at UMass Dartmouth featuring crab donated by Atlantic Red Crab Company;
  • Sea Scallops prepared on site by Eastern Fisheries Executive Chef George Korousos;
  • A Monkfish dish created by Chef Mike Mello of M&C Café featuring monkfish donated by Bergie’s Seafood;
    New Bedford Seafood Paella featuring clams, scallops, mussels & chorizo created by Chef Greg Morton of Morton’s Fork Catering;
  • Mini lobster rolls by Oxford Creamery;
  • A fish dish prepared by Sid Wainer’s Corporate Chef Chris Cordeiro;
  • A seafood dish prepared by the chefs at the Waterfront Grille in New Bedford, newly owned by Lafrance Hospitality.
  • For non-seafood eaters, Wamsutta Club Executive Chef Raymond Fonseca will offer assorted petite quiche, spanakopita, bruschetta, and chicken allouette.
  • Dessert from 7:30 to 8:30 pm will feature handcrafted chocolates by Life is Sweet, hand-painted sugar cookies by Sarah Joy, and coffee and tea.

From 7:30 to 8:30, WBSM radio personality Phil Paleologos will auction items ranging from Red Sox tickets to a scallop dinner for four in the galley of a working vessel. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy gypsy jazz by Hot Club Cheese Roll, and try their luck at a Fluke and Flounder chance auction. A complimentary glass of Blue Ocean Champagne and a cash bar will round out the evening.

Tickets are $75 per person; proceeds will benefit the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, the city’s newest museum. For tickets, visit the Center at 38 Bethel Street, call 508-993-8894, or email info@fishingheritagecenter.org. Tickets can also be purchased online at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3437877

New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to telling the story of the fishing industry past, present and future through exhibits, programs, and archives. The Center is free of charge and open Thursday-Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. Visit www.fishingheritagecenter.org for more information.

MASSACHUSETTS: Scanning Day to Preserve Fishing Industry

June 29, 2018 — The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will host its monthly Scanning Day on Saturday July 14 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Scanning Day is an opportunity for the public to share and preserve a digital image of their fishing industry photographs, documents, and other records for future generations.

The Center invites the public to bring their fishing industry related photographs, both historic and contemporary, as well as documents such as settlement sheets, union books, or news clippings to be scanned.

Staff will scan the materials and record any information the owner shares about each piece. The owner will leave with their originals along with a digital copy  of the scans on a flash drive.

The Center is working to create a digital archive of these materials which will be made available to researchers and the public. These documents will help us to tell the story of the fishing industry. This event is free and open to the public.

Read the full story at WBSM

MASSACHUSETTS: Artist Bob Lavoie salutes working waterfront in Fishing Heritage Center exhibit

June 27, 2018 — New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s latest exhibit, “Rigs, Hulls, and Wheelhouses: The Art of Bob Lavoie,” opens July 12, 6 p.m., and runs through Sept. 30.

Lavoie became acquainted with New Bedford’s working fishing boats when he began unloading vessels in high school. His time on the working docks continued while studying at Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth), where he earned degrees in graphic design and illustration. He fell in love with the aesthetics of the vessels — the colors, the machinery, the lines.

After a career spent as a graphic designer, illustrator, and art director at Hasbro in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Lavoie felt the need to begin to paint again. He began using the brilliant colors of gouache, a thick, opaque Italian watercolor. When deciding what his subject would be, he went back to something that meant a lot to him — the working fishing vessels of New Bedford and Galilee, Rhode Island.

“I’ve tried to paint them as they are — working boats with the rust, nets, blocks and confusing jumbles of lines that make them beautiful,” Lavoie said in a news release. “These working vessels are disappearing in some ports, being displaced by pristine yachts in the slips and multi-million dollar condos on the docks where once these proud working vessels sailed out into the Atlantic to bring in cod, haddock and scallops that made New England one of the primary fisheries in the world. These paintings are a small attempt to preserve a part of our New England heritage that is fast disappearing.”

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

Phil Paleologos: Learn to Cook Underutilized Seafood

June 1, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and New Bedford Port Authority are teaming up to present a series of free seafood cooking demonstrations and classes. Funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, these programs are designed to promote the New Bedford Seafood brand; educate the public about local, abundant and underutilized species; and inspire local residents to explore a wider variety of seafood choices while building a market for these species.

The first demonstration will take place at Kyler’s Seafood Market at 2 Washburn Street,on Saturday, June 9 at 2 p.m. Chef Maria Lawton, author of Azorean Cooking: From My Family Table to Yours, will demonstrate a recipe for Fresh Hake poached in onion, garlic, and tomato sauce (Bacalhau fresco escalfado com molho de tomatecebola, alho). The demonstration will be followed by a tasting opportunity. Signed copies of Ms. Lawton’s book will be available for sale.

Additional demonstrations featuring local cook Rhonda Fazio will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 13 at DeMello’s Market (redfish) and Thursday, August 9 at the New Bedford Farmer’s Market (scup).

Cooking classes will be taught by Chef and Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School Culinary Arts Instructor Henry Bousquet. Classes will take place on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at GNB Voc-Tech. Each class will focus on two underutilized species. Participants will prepare two dishes and enjoy their creations at the end of each class.

Read the full story at WBSM

 

Massachusetts: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center celebrates Portuguese Heritage

May 23, 2018 —  NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will host a variety of programs to explore and celebrate Portuguese heritage during the month of June. Resident artists Manny Vinagre and Manny Catulo will demonstrate their crafts, a film chronicling the dory fishing days of the White Fleet will be shown, and Fado singer Ana Vinagre will entertain with songs of loss and longing. All events are free and open to the public.

Resident artist Manny Vinagre will demonstrate Portuguese decorative knot work on Saturday June 2nd and Saturday June 9th from 1:00 to 3:00 each day. Mr. Vinagre learned how to tie seaman’s knots at escolaprofisional de pesca (fish school) in Portugal over 50 years ago. Now a retired fisherman, he now creates intricately woven cintos (belts) and bolsas (bags) of his own design using synthetic rope.  Each belt or bag is unique, with original patterns created through the use of color and texture, that Manny plans out in his head for each piece.

On Friday, June 15th at 7:00 p.m., The Lonely Doryman will be the featured Dock-U-Mentary film. For more than four centuries, young Portuguese fishermen went to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and Greenland to fish for cod. Known as the Portuguese White Fleet, men set off on schooners under full sail to then drift in a flat-bottomed dory as they baited hundreds of hooks on long-lines. They labored 18 hours a day in pursuit of cod. This 1968 National Geographic film provides a rare window into this life.  Retired fisherman Manny Vinagre, who fished as part of the White Fleet before emigrating to New Bedford, will share memories of his dory fishing days. The film will be shown at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s theater.

Resident artist Manny Catulo will demonstrate the art of model boat making on Saturday June 16th and Saturday June 30th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Mr. Catulo recreates the traditional fishing boats that plied the waters of Portugal prior to World War II. These wooden boats predate the engine and were propelled by oar and sail. His detailed models begin as planked hulls and are then brightly painted in traditional blues, greens, and reds. He carves miniature oars, creates tiny anchors, fishing nets complete with floats and sinkers and even bailers. He will also have model boats on display.

A free concert featuring Ana Vinagre, one of the area’s best known, and most respected, Fadistas will take place on Thursday June 28th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Born in Portugal, she immigrated to New Bedford as a young woman with her husband Jose. Both had been members of folkloric dance and music ensembles and they have continued to perform at area Portuguese restaurants, community events, and in festivals and concerts around the nation. They take great pride in their culture and enjoy teaching American audiences about the tradition of Fado music, a genre that developed in the port city of Lisbon and was performed at waterfront clubs and bars frequented by sailors and seamen.

This series is funded in part by Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs. For more information, email programs@fishingheritagecenter.org or call the Center at (508) 993-8894.

 

Massachusetts: ‘Boundless’ uses theater to explore the lives of fishing families

May 17, 2018 — “Boundless,” a new play written by Alison Weller with music by Peter Hodgson and Alison Weller, explores how local fishermen navigate the complexities of today’s world.

Created from interviews with Cape Cod fishermen, their families, and the organizations that keep them fishing, “Boundless” takes audiences into the heart of their story.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will present a staged reading of “Boundless” on Thursday, May 24 at 7 p.m., The actors, musicians, and playwright will participate in a post-performance discussion.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

Massachusetts: Through the Lens: Our Fishing Heritage

April 24, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:       

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is pleased to announce the opening of Through the Lens: Our Fishing Heritage on Thursday, May 10th at 6:30 p.m. during AHA.  This juried show captures the working waterfront and our fishing heritage as seen through the lenses of area photographers.

Photographers allow us to look at life through their lens and capture moments we might otherwise miss.  Through their art, they focus our attention on the world around us.  This exhibit explores a world many do not see – our working waterfronts and those who make their living at sea and on shore.

Organized by the Whaling City Camera Club, this show showcases the talents of local photographers. Award winning photojournalist, Peter Pereira, will select the winners with awards being presented during the opening reception.  Proceeds from this show benefit the Center and its educational programs.The Center is grateful to the Whaling City Camera Club for the support with a special thanks to guest curator Sally Erickson and juror Peter Pereira.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs. For information, email programs@fishingheritagecenter.org or call (508) 993-8894.

 

Massachusetts: AHA! celebrates ‘Sustainable SouthCoast’

April 11, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Spring has sprung, bringing with it new life, warmer weather and longer days. This month AHA! Night— just in time for Earth Day— pays homage to the “Sustainable SouthCoast.”

Join in celebrating the earth and explore how the community can create a sustainable environment for ourselves and others. Plus new art, live music, kids activities, film screenings and more.

AHA! (Arts, History and Architecture!) is a free family-friendly event held rain or shine on the second Thursday of each month from 5 to 9 p.m. in historic downtown New Bedford.

Here’s just a sample of the night’s events. For a full list, visit ahanewbedford.org.

  • Celebrate Earth Eve with the largest people-powered parade in New England. Marchers, including eco-floats — anything a person or group can wear, roll or carry — convene at 5 p.m. in front of the New Bedford Public Library. Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Part of the Earth Eve festivities will be the crowing of mother earth and father ocean. Selected by the Greater New Bedford Earth Eve Committee for their exceptional stewardship towards our natural environment, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and Lorraine Perry of New Bedford are mother earth and father ocean 2018. Perry and Mitchell will be bestowed with unique crowns created by former Mother Earth Diana Painter at 5:20 p.m.
  • There’s loads of fun at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William St.), including:

– Upcycle many small plastic bags into one larger, stronger tote to keep plastic bags out of the ocean.
– Watch and discuss “A Plastic Ocean” in the park theater.
– As artist Andy Tedesco demonstrates printmaking, try cutting your own linoleum prints. The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel St.) presents “Sustaining New England’s Wild Seafood,” a conversation with Eating with the Ecosystem.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center: April Dock-U-Mentaries to feature Counting Fish

April 4, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:   

The Dock-U-Mentaries Film Series continues on Friday, April 20th at 7:00 PM with Counting Fish a film by Don Cuddy.  Dock-U-Mentaries is a co-production of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, and the Working Waterfront Festival.  Films about the working waterfront are screened on the third Friday of each month beginning at 7:00 PM in the theater of the Corson Maritime Learning Center, located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. All programs are open to the public and presented free of charge.

New England groundfishermen are in trouble. The annual catch limits are now set so low that many boats remain tied to the dock. But controversy abounds. The fishing industry has expressed no confidence in the NOAA trawl survey that provides the raw data for the stock assessment. But counting fish in the ocean is no easy task. While everyone agrees that more and better data is needed NOAA Fisheries says its resources are already overtaxed.

UMass Dartmouth marine scientist Kevin Stokesbury believes he may have found a solution- using cameras to record fish passing through a net that is intentionally left open, allowing them to escape unharmed. The video is then taken ashore and analyzed to obtain an estimate of stock abundance for a variety of species. Don Cuddy documented this new technology in action and the results can be seen in this splendid documentary. He will lead a post-film discussion.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, located at 38 Bethel Street, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the history and culture of New Bedford’s fishing industry through exhibits, programs, and archives.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established by Congress in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America’s nineteenth century whaling industry.  The park, which encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District, is the only National Park Service area addressing the history of the whaling industry and its influence on the economic, social, and environmental history of the United States.  The National Park visitor center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. It is open seven days a week, from 9 AM-5 PM, and offers information, exhibits, and a free orientation movie every hour on the hour from 10 AM-4 PM.  The visitor center is wheelchair-accessible, and is free of charge.  For more information, call the visitor center at 508-996-4095, go to www.nps.gov/nebe or visit the park’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NBWNHP. Everyone finds their park in a different way. Discover yours at FindYourPark.com.