June 2, 2014 — Fishing has been called one of the oldest pastimes on the North Shore. In regard to Newburyport, historians say it has had both prosperous periods and times when the fleet almost disappeared.
Editor’s Note: As Newburyport celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, The Daily News is publishing a series of articles that looks back on the city’s history. Today we focus on commercial fishing, an occupation that goes back centuries.
Fishing has been called one of the oldest pastimes on the North Shore. In regard to Newburyport, historians say it has had both prosperous periods and times when the fleet almost disappeared.
Right now the fishing trade is greatly diminished from that of past eras. Perhaps a half-dozen boats are still seasonally working out of Newburyport, while more are active in Gloucester.
But federal officials have restricted commercial fishing in most New England waters, and hundreds of fishing boats have been deactivated because of a dearth of fish, a lack of days on the water — or a combination of both.
The bottom line appears that fishing has been a difficult occupation in past years as well as modern times. Indeed, over the years many young men chose other trades if they could.