February 5, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:
Join us for After the Storm: Lessons from the Northern Edge as the Dock-U-Mentaries Film Series continues on February 16th at 7:00 p.m. Dock-U-Mentaries is a co-production of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center. Films about the working waterfront are screened on the third Friday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the theater of the Corson Maritime Learning Center, located at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. All programs are open to the public and presented free of charge.
Commercial fishing is one of the world’s most dangerous ways to earn a living. For centuries fishermen have braved the waters of the northeast Atlantic to make their catch, some never to return home. But in 2004, the scallop boat Northern Edge sank, taking with it five of the six men on board. The lucrative fishing port of New Bedford, Massachusetts changed forever. The loss of the Northern Edge spurred a response on every front. Fishermen, politicians, and lawmakers alike took a new look at the safety of those who fish the Atlantic waters for a living. In one of the most regulated industries in the country, however, an imbalance between conservation law and safe practice emerged. This film by J.D. Marlow and Amanda Bergeron explores the question: Can conservation efforts and fishermen’s safety co-exist? Question and answer session with veteran fisherman and safety trainer Captain Rodney Avila to follow the film.
The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the history and culture of New Bedford’s fishing industry through exhibits, programs, and archives. www.fishingheritagecenter.org
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established by Congress in 1996 to help preserve and interpret America’s nineteenth century whaling industry. The park, which encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District, is the only National Park Service area addressing the history of the whaling industry and its influence on the economic, social, and environmental history of the United States. The National Park visitor center is located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. It is open from 9 AM-5 PM, and offers information, exhibits, and a free orientation movie every hour on the hour from 10 AM-4 PM. The visitor center is wheelchair-accessible, and is free of charge. For more information, call the visitor center at 508-996-4095, go to www.nps.gov/nebe or visit the park’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NewBedfordNPS/. Everyone finds their park in a different way. Discover yours at FindYourPark.com