A Day in Photos

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.

The commercial dock at Rock Harbor in Orleans needs reconstruction: three vessels have snagged and sank, ladders that extend from the pier are dangerous, and tight quarters mean the boats have to raft three or four deep. The town is poised to change all that with an upcoming construction project that will be presented to town meeting voters in May. Project planning has been underway for years and permits are in place. A state-funded Seaport Economic Council grant has helped fund the design, and with support from voters, a portion of construction can also receive funding. Check out this gallery to existing conditions on the commercial side of the pier and artist renderings of proposed improvements.

If you spend any time down at the Chatham Fish Pier, or other ports across the Cape, you may see different lobster companies come down to pick up the catch of individual fishermen. In Maine the scene can be quite different. Oftentimes dozens of boats have a relationship with a wharf who they sell to directly, and then fill up on bait and fuel. When Mac’s Seafood bought the Lobster Trap in Bourne they acquired three of these wharves. Check out this gallery to get a glimpse of how they work.

Mac’s Seafood and the Lobster Trap have done business together for decades and know many of the same people, have heard many of the same fish stories.  Although there is a 20-year age difference, the businesses have grown in similar ways, had similar successes with small-boat commercial fishermen at the core of their successes. Last year, Mac’s bought the Lobster Trap and its properties in Bourne and Maine. Check out this gallery to get a glimpse into Mac Hay and Sam Bradford’s new venture.  

As we turn the corner on Thanksgiving — which boasts both turkey and seafood — and race toward Christmas, we want to remind readers that commercial fishing is a year-round enterprise. Just like the ocean is a constant, so are the Cape’s fisheries. This photo gallery of ports in the last months of the year serves as a reminder that the Cape’s Blue Economy is not seasonal.

Zach Fyke is a biological science technician with Northeast Fisheries Science Center as well as a skilled photographer. Along with data gathered on a September research cruise, he also captured many intriguing images of sea life in the Gulf of Maine that he allowed us to share in this gallery. 

Back by popular demand. Last month’s Hookers Ball gallery was extremely popular – maybe because you are bound to see people you know, it is Cape Cod afterall. Or it could be that it’s always fun to look back and remember a great time for a great cause. Either way, take a look at this photo gallery by Salty Broad Studios. 

Hookers Ball XXII was one for the record books, our most successful ever. The big, white tent was at a different venue, the Harwich Community Center, but the ball’s purpose was the same: to celebrate the local, commercial fishing industry with the wider community and help protect the fleet’s future. The night was full of old friends and new faces, and more than a few fishing families. With direct sales and neighborly connections, ‘know your fisherman’ is alive and well as one captain kept being waved over to the fish fry to explain his sea clam operation. Take a look at this photo gallery by Salty Broad Studios