Monthly e-Magazine Articles

We share historic and contemporary commercial fishing photography whenever possible, beautiful reminders of how the industry has always been part of our existence, as constant as the tides.
These images are a compilation from noted photographer Christopher LeClaire, who was introduced to the commercial fisheries at the age of four by his grandfather, Hillary. LeClaire’s father, Hillary Jr., also shellfished commercially and Chris got his license in 1983. Although he had taken many photos over the years it wasn’t until 2008 that he concentrated on documenting commercial fisheries off Chatham.
“On a daily basis, my camera made its way to the top of my gear list of equipment that was not to be forgotten: hip boots, rain jacket, steamer rake and now, camera bag with multiple zoom lenses,” LeClaire said.
We are happy to share some of his images, some of which have been published in his book, “Cape Cod Commercial Fisheries, Chatham Massachusetts.” Some of his photos also grace the walls in the barn of our offices on Main Street.

Every year, tens of thousands of people make the trek to ports across the Cape. They sit in hours of traffic, fight for the last parking spot, walk in the heat to lean over railings or walk to the end of piers to see commercial fishing boats come in. They jostle and gawk to see the catch, sometimes wondering what it is and if it will end up on their plates later. Many people have their favorite fish or shellfish, perhaps from catching or digging as a child, the way it tastes, or maybe because it looks like the angler fish in “Saving Nemo.”

Each fish also has a story to tell. Those stories, and the beauty of the fish forms, have been captured by artist Mike Palmer. Dozens of them, and why they matter to the Cape, are part of an exhibit at Barnstable Town Hall that is a partnership between Palmer and the Fishermen’s Alliance. The show is up from April 8 to June 28, with an artist’s reception on April 12. Here’s a sneak peek.