Captain Sean Connors, of F/V Dawn Treader, swings totes full of skate into a refrigerated truck with the help of ‘Bubba’ Roach.
By Doreen Leggett
From the beginning of June through September, fishermen are catching skate and dogfish most days and landing at the Chatham Fish Pier, a crowd looking down from the observation deck. Fish are unloaded to Red’s Best or Shellfish Broker, who lease the bays from the town, iced and sent to New Bedford for processing. Most of the harvest is going to France or England, but captains and crew would love to see domestic demand increase. This photo gallery, by Charlee O’Neil of Mainsail Events, reveals the busyness of the pier, abundance of fish, consistent hard work and camaraderie. Fishing continues into fall and winter, though not at the same pace.
Jakeob Ambrosini, pictured with a dogfish, which are caught in abundance off Chatham. Ambrosini loves fishing, particularly how the crew on the F/V Dawn Treader is like family.
The Dawn Treader came in with her limit of dogfish and skate.
Colin Lynch and Bubba unload on a busy summer day.
Sam Linnell, captain of F/V Great Pumpkin, walks a tightrope between his catch of skate.
Keeping the fish cool and the boat clean is top of mind.
The Shellfish Broker crew unloads boats at Chatham Fish Pier.
Dogfish slide down the shoot . Dogfish prices were up slightly this year.
Staff at Shellfish Brokers, and Red’s Best also at the pier, ice the fish heavily before it travels off Cape. Shellfish Brokers works with a company to make sure the “cold chain” for the catch is protected.
Colin Lynch, in the marine tech program at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, helps load the catch in a refrigerated truck.