Steve Heaslip from the Cape Cod Times stopped by and photographed a portion of the training at Harding’s Beach. See all the photos here.
By Doreen Leggett
One of our core missions is education and we fulfill that in a variety of ways, from Meet the Fleets to community forums, regular member updates to visits with policy makers. This e-magazine is designed to let people know about the industry that is essential to the economy and culture of the Cape. Central is educating future fishermen to enter a career they may not have considered a possibility. We held our fifth Fishermen Training earlier this month, led by Fred Mattera of Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island. We also sent Ray Rowell of Fishermen’s Alliance to Florida for a meeting of the National Future Fishermen Coalition, recently established to help coastal communities across the country collaborate, share resources, and create lasting connections.
Fishermen Training often includes a visit to Wychmere Harbor to see Mark and Sean Leach’s boats. Sean stands on his dad’s boat to talk about the lobster industry.
Sean’s boat was packed with traps as the lobster season was set to open.
The training group also visited Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich to speak with scallopers and squid fishermen, as well as visit gillnet vessels.
The windy day was ideal for fishermen, and their dogs, to do gear work.
Along with trips to the docks and safety training, fishermen spent time in the classroom to learn basic skills such as navigation and knot tying from Fred Mattera of Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island, upper right, and Ray Rowell, who helps run the Fishermen Training program for the Fishermen’s Alliance, upper left.
The National Future Fishermen Coalition is made up of advocacy groups, including the Fishermen’s Alliance, across the nation. The mission is to secure the future of commercial fishing in the U.S. by supporting the next generation of fishermen and women.
The steering committee of the National Future Fishermen Coalition met in Florida to discuss next steps for the fledgling group. Members are from the Gulf of America, New England – including our own Ray Rowell, back row, second from left – and Alaska.