In 2017 the Fishermen's Alliance launched Pier to Plate, a program that aimed to create consumer demand for skate and dogfish on Cape Cod. Local small-boat fishermen sustainably catch “under-loved” dogfish and skate in abundance right off our shores, but 99 percent of this plentiful, white fish is shipped overseas to restaurants in Europe and Asia. Pier to Plate helped to stimulate enough consumer demand that local restaurants are serving skate and dogfish, among other local species. 

The Fish for Families program distributes locally-caught seafood to families in need across Cape Cod. Seafood is a healthier source of protein that is often cost prohibitive for families on a tight budget.

Every day of the fishing season, the fish pier at Chatham Harbor is bustling with visitors and residents alike, eager to observe the excitement of a fishing boat returning to port loaded with its catch. You can learn more about which fish they are bringing in as well as the history and future of Cape Cod's small-boat fishing industry when you take part in the Pier Host Program.