Saving Seafood

MASSACHUSETTS: New Bedford’s fishing faces take their place in Library of Congress

July 3, 2019 — The American Folklife Center (AFC) is excited to be featuring “Working on the Waterfront,” a documentary display of photographs created by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center in New Bedford.

The display, which is located in Room LJ-G53 on the ground floor of the Library of Congress’s Thomas Jefferson Building in Washington, D.C., is open to the public through October.

In 2016, the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center received a prestigious Archie Green Fellowship from the American Folklife Center to document workers on the New Bedford waterfront for AFC’s Occupational Folklife Project (OFP).

The OFP is an ongoing research initiative to record the lives, careers, and experiences of contemporary workers in a wide range of trades and occupations throughout the United States.

Under the direction of NBFHC Executive Director Laura Orleans, funds from the competitive fellowship were used to hire researchers to record oral histories and photograph almost 60 workers involved in diverse fishing-related trades and occupations on the New Bedford waterfront.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Fishermen, Climate Activists Clash Over Wind Farm Cable

July 1, 2019 — Commercial fishermen and climate activists packed the Ted B. Morgan meeting room last Wednesday, sparring with each other during a marathon, five-hour public hearing before the Edgartown conservation commission over two proposed undersea cables that would connect the nation’s first industrial-scale offshore wind-farm to the mainland.

Although the cables have been approved by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, among other regulatory bodies, the portions of the cables in Edgartown waters are also subject to review by the town conservation commission under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. The two, 220 kilovolt cables will run approximately one mile from Chappaquiddick’s eastern shore, connecting the proposed 80-turbine Vineyard Wind project to an electrical generating station in Barnstable.

Vineyard Wind, the New Bedford-based subsidiary of a Danish renewable energy company, bought two offshore wind lease areas from the federal government in 2015 and 2018. During an extensive permitting process over the past two years, wind farm developers have promised that impacts from the undersea cables will have a minor to negligible effect on marine life and seafloor habitats. The project has received substantial support from environmental activists on the Island, who believe that offshore wind is the most effective way for communities in the American northeast to combat climate change.

But at the hearing on Thursday, about a dozen commercial fishermen spoke out passionately against the project, arguing that renewable energy projects shouldn’t be pursued at the potential expense of some of the world’s most fertile fishing grounds.

“I’m an advocate for renewable energy and sustainable fisheries. I just think this project is going to have way more of an impact than they are saying it is,” said John Osmers, an Island commercial fisherman. “Who knows what we’re going to disturb and what species of marine life we’re going to damage with this project? I’d like to for there to be renewable energy, I just don’t think this is the way.”

Read the full story at the Vineyard Gazette

Fishermen face uphill battle in lawsuit over New York wind site

July 1, 2019 — Fishermen and the city of New Bedford are facing an uphill battle in their fight against a New York offshore wind location after losing a lawsuit in September.

Attorney David Frulla, who represents the Fisheries Survival Fund and other plaintiffs in the case, said he was disappointed at the court decision but has not given up.

“I just don’t think the judge understood that these leases aren’t theoretical, that they actually confer rights,” he said.

The Fisheries Survival Fund is leading a dozen plaintiffs. They sued the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in 2016, saying the agency had not done enough to seek alternatives to important fishing grounds.

United States District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan in September granted the federal government’s motion for summary judgment, meaning she believed they made their case as a matter of law, without a trial.

The plaintiffs filed a motion to amend the decision, which is still pending.

Mayor Jon Mitchell said Friday that the city shares the disappointment of the other plaintiffs but believes there are strong grounds for the judge to reconsider.

“The decisions made by federal agencies about what happens in New York waters have major implications for New Bedford fishermen, so we have no choice but to fight when we believe our interests are not being taken into account,” he said.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Seafood Soiree to Benefit Fishing Heritage Center

June 26, 2019 — 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 second annual gala fundraiser to benefit the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center.

Scheduled for the evening of July 18th 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,” said 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.”

Finest Kind lead sponsors for the Soirée include Farm Credit East, Fleet Fisheries and the Wamsutta Club at the James Arnold Mansion.

Highliner Sponsors include BayCoast Bank; Commercial Fisheries News; Edie and Marie Boat Settlements; Hancock Marine, Inc.; SouthCoast Media Group; and The Town Dock.

Skipper Sponsors include Moses Smith, Markey & Walsh and Seafuels Marine.

The cocktail hour from 5:30 to 6:30 pm will feature sushi from Turk’s Seafoodand mini lobster rolls by Oxford Creamery, both in Mattapoisett.

From 6:00 to 7:30 pm, signature seafood dishes will be offered by the following chefs (committed to date):

  • Clam Chowder donated by Blount Fine Foods;
  • Lobster sausage with chourico aioli prepared by Chef Chris Cronin of Union Flats opening soon on Union Street in New Bedford;
  • Korean barbeque Mackerel with charred bok choy and sweet chili glaze created by Chef Chris Cordeiro, Corporate Chef for Sid Wainer & Son;
  • Squid dish created by Chef Arthur Dill from Chartwells Dining Service at UMass Dartmouth;
  • Scallops with mustard and endive garnish, as well as scallop and codfish casserole created by Eastern Fisheries Executive Chef, George Karousos;
  • Smoked bluefish pate with pickled red onion and homemade crackers prepared by Chef Lisa Lofberg of Little Moss in Padanaram;
  • A Skate dish created by Chef Mike Melo of M&C Café;
  • New Bedford Seafood Paella featuring clams, scallops, mussels & chorizo by Chef Greg Morton of Morton’s Fork Catering;
  • Mini fish and chips prepared by Chef Jayme Reno of Merrill’s on the Waterfront in New Bedford;
  • 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 and home baked cookies by Jo’s Breads & Muffins, along with coffee and tea.

Beginning at 7:30 pm, a live auction will feature items ranging from Red Sox HP State Street Pavillion Club seating tickets to a scallop dinner for four in the galley of a working fishing 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 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. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://fishingheritagecenter.org/soiree/

MASSACHUSETTS: Congressman’s Visit Focuses on Offshore Wind Jobs

June 17, 2019 — A key member of Congress joined Rep. William Keating (D-Massachusetts) and Mayor Jon Mitchell Friday for a tour of New Bedford Harbor and a discussion on the city’s role in offshore wind development.

Congressman Alan Lowenthal of California chairs the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and is bullish on offshore wind. “This is the future of the nation’s energy supply. This is not some kind of a passing whim, this is where the nation is moving, and we need successful models and that’s what we’re doing here.”

Lowenthal’s committee is considering a bill filed by Keating to provide grants to colleges, universities and labor unions to train workers for the offshore wind industry.

While the bill is expected to make it easily through the House, it could be a tougher sell in the Senate.

Keating says he expects supporters may have to make some concessions, but the Massachusetts Democrat feels strongly that the bill will make it through the Senate and on to the President’s desk. “This is a fuel for new jobs and for business development and secondary investments too. People will see what’s happening in New Bedford and it will help in the expansion of offshore wind development across the country.”

Read the full story at WBSM

MASSACHUSETTS: Voices in the Fog: Story of Portuguese cod fishermen

June 6, 2019 — The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, in partnership with the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, presents Voices in the Fog: New Bedford Chapter (2016) as the Dock-U-Mentaries Film Series continues on June 21 at 7 p.m.

Voices in the Fog is based on interviews of former Portuguese cod fisherman, who share memories, stories, and anecdotes of life in the high seas. The “New Bedford Chapter” introduces subjects who immigrated to the United States to build their lives and continue their careers on American soil. The film is in Portuguese with English subtitles.

The film was directed by Pedro Marnoto, with cinematography by Hugo Marques, and Pedro Marnoto. Production was by PAPS (Portuguese American Post-Graduate Society), Arte Institute.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: East Coast Seafood Group renovates Seatrade plant in New Bedford

June 6, 2019 — Topsfield, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based East Coast Seafood Group has renovated the 66,000-square-foot Seatrade plant in New Bedford, Massachusetts to turn it into a “state-of-the-art lobster facility,” the company said in a statement on 5 June.

New technology installed in the plant has given the company higher automation, superior packaging options, and better logistical layout, resulting in improved efficiency and product quality and shorter lead times for fulfillment of lobster orders and shipments, the company said.

Senior Vice President of Operations Bob Blais said the decision to renovate comes from increased sales and a desire to combine the company’s lobster and scallop processing under one roof.

“Beyond efficiencies, the new operation brings with it new product and packaging ideas as well as streamlined delivery to market. Many customers are familiar with East Coast lobster products and many others with Seatrade scallops, and now one facility offers the best of both,” Blais said.

East Coast launched its Salt & Sky brand in 2018, and the company has since been diversifying and expanding its foodservice and retail product portfolio, senior vice president of sales and marketing Steve Musser said.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

MASSACHUSETTS: ‘Lobster War’ hitting Whaling Museum theater

May 22, 2019 — The New Bedford Whaling Museum, in partnership with the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, is screening a documentary with claws.

“Lobster War” is an award-winning feature-length documentary film about a conflict between the United States and Canada over waters that both countries have claimed since the end of the Revolutionary War.

The disputed 277 square miles of sea known as the Gray Zone were traditionally fished by U.S. lobstermen.

But as the Gulf of Maine has warmed faster than nearly any other body of water on the planet, the area’s previously modest lobster population has surged. As a result, Canadians have begun to assert their sovereignty, warring with the Americans to claim the bounty.

“Lobster War – The Fight Over the World’s Richest Fishing Grounds” is directed by David Abel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter at The Boston Globe, and Andy Laub, an award-winning documentarian, producers of the acclaimed Discovery channel documentary “Sacred Cod.”

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Jon Mitchell gives Markey credit for $15 million upgrade to Port

May 20, 2019 — Sen. Edward Markey and others talked about the things he’s done for New Bedford Friday and local leaders talked about other things they’d like Markey to do.

It was classic “bring home the bacon” at a SouthCoast Legislative Luncheon at White’s of Wesport, sponsored jointly by the SouthCoast and Bristol County chambers of commerce.

Mayor Jon Mitchell introduced Markey to the gathering, attended by some members of the SouthCoast legislative delegation but not by indicted Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia. Mitchell told of Markey’s role in obtaining a $15.4 million federal transportation grant to improve the Port of New Bedford. The money will be used to extend the bulkhead and remove contaminated materials.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Lobstermen rally against delay in opening season

May 10, 2019 — South Shore lobstermen rallied Thursday morning at Town Wharf to protest the decision by the state Division of Marine Fisheries to delay the opening of the season until May 14 to protect right whales.

“There’s a lot of people that are suffering with this closure,” said rally organizer Sheryl Holmes, whose husband, Roscoe “Stoney” Holmes, is a commercial lobsterman who owns the F/V Haley’s Comet out of Plymouth.

The seasonal speed reductions and trap-gear bans imposed by the state to protect right whales typically end May 1, but have been extended first to May 8, and now to May 14.

Read the full story from the Cape Cod Times at the Patriot Ledger