The working waterfronts across the Cape serve as huge economic drivers, but many of us only think of them as picturesque harbors. With a number of challenges on the horizon – including escalating climate change, supply chain issues and gentrification – the ports across the Cape will be essential in protecting the character of the peninsula. As decisions get made about the future, we teamed up with state Division of Marine Fisheries and Urban Harbors Institute at UMASS Boston to showcase the value of our ports and the challenges they face. As part of that we compiled some highlights, which we are sharing with you in this photo gallery of seven ports. Stay tuned next month for the remaining eight.
Fun Fish Fact: Barnstable is the only town on the Cape that offers commercial fishermen all 13 infrastructure services, from hoists to gear storage.
Fun Fish Fact – Bourne has a lot of harbors! Barlows Landing, Buttermilk Bay, Cape Cod Canal, Eel Pond, Gray Gables, Hen Cove, Hospital Cove, Little Bay, Phinneys Harbor, Pocasset Harbor, Pocasset River, Red Brook Harbor, Squeteague Harbor, and Taylor Point Marina.
Fun Fish Fact: Although there are no vessels with a Brewster homeport (the town has no harbor), it has more permitted harvesters than several of its neighbors, including Dennis and Harwich, even Provincetown.
Fun Fish Fact: Dennis’ commercial fishing fleet has seen a decline in the number of bluefish in Cape Cod Bay, and growth in the blue mussel dragging industry. Dragging for bay scallops has been dynamic, with good years occurring every 4 to 5 years.
Fun Fish Fact: The number of non-trailered commercial fishing vessels has increased due to new lobster permit holders, more grant holders that use skiffs, and harvesters downsizing to town water fisheries.
Fun Fish Fact: Harvesters, particularly of shellfish, in Falmouth are bucking the trend as they have increased in the past few years.
