Our former policy analyst Amanda Cousart and Captain Sam Linnell were at the event in 2020. Linnell got a list of names of potential crew.
By Doreen Leggett
A decade ago, the Fishermen’s Alliance was one of the founding members of the Cape’s Blue Economy Foundation because although commercial fishing is the original blue economy, it relies on a constellation of maritime businesses that help sustain our coastal community. The next generation is also essential to the success of our peninsula, which is why we have been part of the Foundation’s WaterWORKS career fair since it began in 2019. We thought it would be fun to take a look back at the commercial fishermen who spent time at the event over the years and talked to close to 1,000 students about opportunities in the industry.
Fisherman Connor Rogan and former Outreach Coordinator – and fisherman – Stephanie Sykes in 2023. Rogan, who fishes out of Barnstable, said he wished there was a similar event when he went to Barnstable High. Sykes is now the Natural Resources Director in Harwich.
In 2020, Captain Rob Martin of Sandwich talks to students about his 40-year lobster career, which he balances with work with scientists.
There are often opportunities to win prizes at the event. In 2019 Chanel Franklin, of Dennis–Yarmouth High School, tries to guess what is in a vial brought by the Fishermen’s Alliance. Austin Anderson looks on. The answer: halibut eggs.
Students returned to WaterWORKS in 2023, after a two-year hiatus due to COVID. Organizer Katy Acheson, with the Blue Economy Foundation, said she “hoped the students at WaterWORKS left inspired by all the fulfilling career opportunities that exist for them here on Cape Cod.”
More than 300 students attend WaterWORKS and ask commercial fishermen about their typical day and why they got into the industry.
A.R.C Shellfish Hatchery and Barnstable County Cooperative Extension, represented by Chloe Starr and Abigail Archer join close to 50 blue businesses and non-profits.
Last year, fisherman Will Nicolai, standing on left, joined Captain Jake Angelo, seated, to talk about their careers on the water. Cape Cod Academy’s Nick Kowalski, standing back right, has experience fishing and worked at the Chatham Fish Pier.
WaterWORKS has held panel discussions in recent years. In 2024 Captain Bradley Louw talked about falling overboard while lobstering.
Permit Bank Director Ray Rowell, far left, joined by lobstermen Glenn Svenningsen and John Soposki, who also fishes for black sea bass, speak at the most recent WaterWORKS. Svenningsen, a senior at Cape Cod Tech, attended the event as a junior.