Fish Tales

Meet Economic Development Manager Katie Curran

Meet Economic Development Manager Katie Curran

Katie Curran remembers the excitement of catching a fish as a child, the wonder of what might be on the hook. Now she loves fishing just as much and appreciates the peace and satisfaction it brings, how careful study yields welcome results.

“I think of fishing as more than catching a fish. I like learning different techniques and there is effort in learning how to be good,” Curran said. “I don’t look at fishing as something I do, more as an extension of myself.”

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The story of Cap’n Cass continues thanks to Michelle Lamy

The story of Cap’n Cass continues thanks to Michelle Lamy

George Morton moved to Orleans from Central Massachusetts when he was in his 30s. Before he purchased the Rock Harbor Coffee Shop in the 1960s, he became part of the cast of characters who fished out of the port.

Their camaraderie is why Morton became “Cass a Boo Boo” and the restaurant “Cap’n Cass.” It’s also why Michelle Lamy is painstakingly striving to keep the unique personality of the place alive.

“It’s an iconic establishment needing preservation. I’m into preservation,” she said.

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Todd Hnis defies definitions

Todd Hnis defies definitions

Todd Hnis, captain of F/V Deborah Lee, comes from a legendary fishing family and builds boats that win exceptional praise, even positioned alongside Bentleys to help showcase the luxury car.

Still, Hnis has trouble describing what he does.

“I don’t feel like a commercial fisherman, or a captain, or even a boat-builder,” he said with a chuckle.

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New policy maven is a familiar face

New policy maven is a familiar face

Although it was more than a decade ago, Aubrey Ellertson Church has clear memories of standing at the Chatham Fish Pier with other fisheries observers waiting to be picked up by boats they were assigned to that day.

Church lived outside of Boston at the time, working out of ports from Maine to New Jersey gathering data about fishing trips used to help monitor the health of fisheries.

“I remember Chatham being a cool port to go into,” she said.

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In forging a future, Townsend keeps hold of past

In forging a future, Townsend keeps hold of past

Caitlin “Caity” Townsend sat in a shaft of sunlight and turned over a lichen-colored, plastic knife handle imprinted with the word “Waterhaul.”

The five-inch object was created from recycled fishing gear and represents the strength and tradition of commercial fisheries as well as its sustainable future – like Townsend herself.

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Jonah crabs become an emerging opportunity alongside lobster

Jonah crabs become an emerging opportunity alongside lobster

Andrew Spalt sat at a corner table at Fishermen’s View, a popular restaurant along the Cape Cod Canal in Sandwich, with a tortilla-chip ringed bowl of Jonah Crab hummus in front of him and a Jonah Crab melt sandwich in his hand.

The waitress came by and they chatted about the owners, Bob and Denny Colbert, who have been catching Jonah crab for decades and prepare it a host of different ways – Jonah Crab nachos anyone?

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A young man carving out a life on the sea

A young man carving out a life on the sea

Scott MacAllister is in the throes of groundfish season. He has been working 16-hour days, barely sleeping during the hours he has before waking up in the middle of the night to set off from Chatham Fish Pier once again.

So he is exhausted, but running on adrenaline and what seems like a perennially great attitude, when he makes it to his first set of gillnets that have been soaking overnight. This set, like yesterday’s, didn’t have a ton of fish. There are three sets, 15 nets in each, but this is an inauspicious beginning; the first few 300-foot nets come up almost empty or with fish looking like grey pajamas, all floppy and soft. Hag fish, red and snakelike, slide across the deck – they have eaten all the meat.

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Fishermen’s Wives aims to help with wellness

Fishermen’s Wives aims to help with wellness

When Sasha Tomasek-Little came to the Cape more than five years ago from farm country in Connecticut, she was struck by the ocean and fishermen who build their lives on it.

“It was mind-blowing how hard they work and the brotherhood,” Tomasek-Little said.

She was surprised the industry wasn’t celebrated more. Coming from a marketing and public relations background it seemed to her there is a wealth of knowledge and stories to share, along with the local catch.

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Couple strengthens fisheries in Bourne

Couple strengthens fisheries in Bourne

Fresh off a weekend pop-up raw bar serving oysters from their farm, lobster rolls from their Sea State food truck, and “Small Boats, Big Taste” haddock chowder from the Fishermen’s Alliance, Pat and Jenny Ross stood in their market in Bourne as fishermen showed up at the back door with fresh local product.

“This wasn’t on the life plan,” laughed Pat, who grew up in Bourne but only shellfished recreationally, occasionally, with his dad.

Both Pat and Jenny went to art school before they met, Pat for photography in Boston, Jenny for design in New York. They met at a Halloween party in 2009.

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