Working Waterfront Festival Archives - Page 2 of 2

MASSACHUSETTS: Top fisheries regulator blends into the crowd at Working Waterfront Festival

September 27, 2015 — NEW BEDFORD — In the closing hours of a picture-perfect day for the New Bedford Waterfront Festival, about 15 pretty important people were meeting in a stuffy, windowless third-floor conference room up three flights of stairs at the State Pier building.

This was an invitation-only chance for some locals involved in the fishing industry to meet the woman who is in charge of fisheries regulation for the entire nation, NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Eileen Sobeck.

She was here at the invitation of Mayor Mitchell, and the arrangements were done pretty quietly. There was no announcement by the mayor’s office because, as he explained, this was an opportunity to open up some lines of communication between our fishing community and the persons in charge of regulating it.”

“It was civil and informative … a lot of progress was made that way,” Mitchell said after the meeting.

Former Mayor John Bullard was there because, as he is now regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries in the Northeast, Sobek is his boss. He deferred all questions to her.

Read the full story at New Bedford Standard- Times

DON CUDDY: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help you’

September 24, 2105 — The Working Waterfront Festival takes place this weekend and features the traditional Blessing of the Fleet, to be held Sunday afternoon on the State Pier. This year, New Bedford welcomes NOAA’s Eileen Sobeck to the ceremony. Ms. Sobeck holds the title of Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, and in that capacity oversees the management and conservation of marine fisheries. According to the NOAA web site: “Her focus is on rebuilding the nation’s fisheries and the jobs and livelihoods that depend on them by promoting management approaches that will achieve both sustainable fisheries and vibrant coastal communities.”

It is difficult to reconcile such lofty goals with the harsh reality facing New England groundfishermen today. The National Marine Fisheries Service and its regional administrator John Bullard, in the face of widespread opposition, is intent on forcing fishing vessel owners to pick up the tab for the at-sea monitors that accompany them on fishing trips to estimate the catch and observe bycatch.

Last April, at the request of the New England Fishery Management Council, NOAA’s own social sciences branch conducted an evaluation of the impact the promotion of this particular management approach would have if industry funded. Here is a quote taken from the study’s findings: “Predictions for FY 2015 are that nearly 60% of the fleet could see negative returns to owner when full 2015 ASM costs are factored in.” The study also predicted that “industry funded ASM could result in restructuring of the fleet.”

Read the full story at New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Working Waterfront festival gives visitors a free, fun behind-the-scenes look

September 24, 2015 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Do you know how to properly cook and eat a lobster, or how to fillet a fish?

Perhaps you’d like to watch some of New Bedford’s most handsome fishermen model the latest in fishing gear, listen to some sea chanteys, cheer for your favorite in a nautical tattoo contest, or tour a scallop boat.

These are just a few of the many fun-filled and fascinating activities the 12th annual Working Waterfront Festival will offer guests of all ages as they explore the rich cultural history and get an inside look at the city’s dynamic fishing industry and bustling waterfront.

According to Laura Orleans, festival director, this year’s theme, “Every Object Tells a Story,” will be interpreted in various ways, including several skills demonstrations and a new area at the entrance to Steamship Pier where large industry objects, including a full-sized groundfishing net, will be displayed.

“The Working Waterfront Festival provides a rare opportunity for the public to get an inside look at the commercial fishing industry which not only generates over a billion dollars for our local economy each year, but is also a huge part of our culture and history,” Orleans continues.

Orleans says that this year’s festival is “a great mix of old favorites” such as the scallop shucking contest and seafood cooking throwdown, as well as new activities such as the fishing gear fashion show and nautical tattoo contest.

Read the full story at New Bedford Standard-Times

Seafood Takes Center Stage at the 2015 Working Waterfront Festival: Program Includes Cooking Demonstrations, Book Signings, and a Seafood Throwdown

September 17, 2015 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The following was released by the New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival:

Come hungry to the 2015 Working Waterfront Festival, an educational celebration of the commercial fishing industry. The free event takes place on the working piers of New Bedford’s historic waterfront on September 26 & 27. The Foodways Area features hourly cooking demonstrations followed by tastings. Visitors are invited to learn the basics of preparing fresh seafood at home as well as ethnic approaches to seafood cooking and galley fare. Some highlights this year include North African Style Monkfish Stew, Bacalhau A Bras, and Begali Fish Chowder. Ann Pieroway, author of Tastes and Tales of Cape Cod and the Islands and A Lobster Tale and Some Tastes Too, will demonstrate her recipe for Haddock Chowder on Saturday at 12:30 followed by a book signing at 1:30. Heather Atwood, author of In Cod We Trust, will demonstrate Nantucket Scallop Pie, also known as “Boyfriend Pie,” on Sunday at 1:00 followed by a book signing at 2:00. Carlos Rafael, owner of Carlos Seafoods, will demonstrate his expert fish filleting at 4:30 on Saturday.

The Festival culminates on Sunday afternoon with a Seafood Throwdown, in which two chefs compete to create a winning seafood dish using a surprise seafood ingredient which is revealed to them at the event. Chefs can bring three of their favorite ingredients and, once the secret seafood is revealed, they are given $25 and 15 minutes to shop the Festival Farmers’ Market for their remaining ingredients. After their shopping spree, they have one hour to cook and plate their entry for the judge’s consideration. This year’s contest will pit Chef Chris Cronin of Padanaram’s Little Moss Restaurant against Rob Pirnie, Executive Chef of Warren, Rhode Island’s Trafford. Judges include food writer Heather Atwood (author of In Cod We Trust), Chef and Culinary Arts Instructor Henry Bousquet, and Margaret Curole Executive Chef for Commercial Fishermen of America. The Seafood Throwdown is a collaboration between the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance and the Working Waterfront Festival.

All of this activity is sure to whet the appetite. Festival attendees will be able to enjoy a wide variety of fresh, local seafood. The Seafood Hut will serve a full menu of the finest local seafood including fish and chips, fried scallops, and clam cakes. Newburyport Crab Company will offer crab cakes, lobster quesadillas, salmon tacos, and more. Littlenecks and oysters on the half shell will be available from R. Shucks Raw Bar and Oxford Creamery’s Ox-Cart will serve up lobster rolls, quahog chowder and more. Looking for fresh ingredients? The festival farmer’s market features produce and specialty items from a number of local farms as well as fresh local seafood provided by Revolution Lobster which will be sold directly off their boat.

The Working Waterfront Festival is a project of the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern MA, a non-profit organization. The FREE festival, a family friendly, educational celebration of New England’s commercial fishing industry, features live maritime and ethnic music, fishermen’s contests, fresh seafood, vessel tours, author readings, cooking demonstrations, kid’s activities and more. It all takes place on working piers and waterfront parks in New Bedford, MA, America’s #1 fishing port, on the last full weekend in September. Navigate to us at www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org.

STEVE URBON: Working Waterfront Festival hits the big time

September 13, 2015 — It was a proud moment indeed last week when the Working Waterfront Festival, now in its 12th year, was named one of the top 100 festivals in the U.S. and Canada by the American Bus Association.

Don’t tell me you never heard of the American Bus Association. I have it from an authority, Dagny Ashley, the city’s tourism and marketing director, that this is the biggest organization like it in the nation, and serves as a sort of clearinghouse for events and destinations across the land.

How it works is that the group holds what is basically an annual convention called a marketplace, drawing some 3,500 participants like Ashley, who get 7-minute appointments to pitch their event to representatives of huge tour bus companies. The contestants are then judged against each other and those who don’t measure up will get the hook.

Sort of a tourism Gong Show, if you can remember the Gong Show.

Laura Orleans, the organizer of the festival, said it made the Top 100 about a decade ago, but a lot has changed since then. There has been such progress on so many things about tourism that the festival once again was competitive with the best in the country.

Read the full opinion piece at the New Bedford Standard-Times

New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival to debut Fishing Gear Fashion Show

September 10, 2015 — The following was released by the New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival:

On the eve of Boston Fashion Week, fishermen in New Bedford, the nation’s top dollar fishing port, will strut their stuff in the world’s first fishing gear fashion show. Fishermen will model the latest product lines as well as gear from different fisheries and different eras to provide an entertaining look at how workplace clothing has evolved over time. The fashion show will take place on Saturday, September 26^th at 2PM as part of the 2015 Working Waterfront Festival, an annual event celebrating commercial fishing culture.

Local businesses that manufacture and retail clothing for the commercial fishing industry have stepped up to provide the gear to be modeled. Skips Marine, Euro Fishing Gear, and Guy Cotten will present the latest in foul weather gear including outerwear, sea boots, and work gloves. Hercules LLC will model safety gear such as PFDs and survival suits. The Landing will show off its line of gear for women who fish commercially as well as specialized aprons developed for fish cutters. In addition, the event will include examples of gear from earlier times to provide a historical perspective.

According to Festival Director, Laura Orleans, “Like most occupations, the fishing industry has its own particular clothing much of which is designed to keep fishermen dry and warm while at sea. The fashion show concept was inspired by Jon Campbell’s (a Rhode Island singer songwriter) song Fredericks of Galilee which he will perform live at the event. I think this will be a fun way to promote these products and the local businesses that sell them.”

The Working Waterfront Festival is a project of the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern MA, a non-profit organization. The FREE festival, a family friendly, educational celebration of New England’s commercial fishing industry, features live maritime and ethnic music, fishermen’s contests, fresh seafood, vessel tours, maritime authors, cooking demonstrations, kid’s activities and more. It all takes place on working piers and waterfront parks in New Bedford, MA, America’s #1 fishing port, on the last full weekend in September. Navigate to us at www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org.

MASSACHUSETTS: Gloucester’s Schooner Adventure to offer Dockside Tours at 2015 Working Waterfront Festival

September 8, 2015 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The following was released by the Working Waterfront Festival:

Adventure completes first public sailing season in a quarter century NEW BEDFORD, MA— The public will have ample opportunity to tour a variety of work boats at the 2015 Working Waterfront Festival (September 26-27). The SCHOONER ADVENTURE, launched in 1926, measured 122 feet from bow to stern and carried a 120horsepower diesel engine, fourteen dories, and a crew of twenty-seven. She fished the Grand Banks from her home port of Gloucester from 1926 to 1953 under Captain Jeff Thomas and later, Captain Leo Hynes. The Schooner Adventure was considered a highliner, the biggest money-maker of all time, landing nearly $4 million worth of cod and halibut during her fishing career.

After a lengthy and comprehensive restoration, _Adventure_ was issued her Coast Guard Passenger Vessel Certificate on June 8, 2015, her first since 1988, and is completing her first sailing season in a quarter century. Designed by Thomas F. McManus of Boston and built at the John F. James & Son Yard in Essex for Captain Jeff Thomas of Gloucester, _Adventure_ was one of the last wooden sailing vessels of her kind built for the dory-fishing industry. _Adventure_, named for one of the fantasy fleet of ships drawn by Captain Thomas’s young son, is a knockabout schooner, designed without a bowsprit for the safety of the crew. The McManus knockabout design was regarded by maritime historian, Howard I. Chapelle, as “the acme in the long evolution of the New England fishing schooner”.

The tradition of racing fishing schooners for sport can be directly traced back to McManus who sponsored the races to demonstrate the speediness of his designs. When she retired, _Adventure_was the last American dory-fishing schooner in the North Atlantic. She was given a new life as a passenger vessel in 1954, and became known as the “Queen of the Windjammers” sailing Maine’s Penobscot Bay until 1988.

Since her return to her original home port, she has been maintained and restored by The Gloucester Adventure Inc., a 501(c) 3 non-profit educational and cultural foundation. The restoration spanned 27 years, and was completed at a cost of $5 million dollars. Today,_Adventure_ is available for education programs in conjunction with community partners, for charter by groups, member sails, and for unique dockside events. The ship is capable of carrying 65 passengers underway and 80 alongside. “The ship is both a powerful icon of Maritime Heritage for Gloucester and the region, and a unique asset available to the whole community”, said Captain Stefan Edick, “we look forward to this next phase of her life, and to sharing her history with residents and visitors alike”.

A benefit concert for Schooner _Adventure_ will be held on her deck on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 6PM. Performers include John Roberts, Deb Cowan, the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus, the Rum Soaked Crooks, the Providence-based chantey group Sharks Come Cruisin, and Bob Zentz. _Adventure_will be docked on the south side of State Pier, at Schooner _Ernestina-Morrissey_’s berth. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased the evening of the show starting at 5PM. Parking is available at all downtown meters for free on Friday evening as well as throughout the weekend.

In addition to the ADVENTURE, visitors will be able to tour the F/V Little Lady, a Stonington dragger, as well as a modern day dragger, a scalloper, a deep sea clammer, a lobster boat, and a tug boat. For visitors wishing an on-water experience, the Buzzard’s Bay Rowing Club offers free whaleboat rides from 2:00-5:00 on Saturday and 12:00-5:00 on Sunday for attendees aged 18 and older. Whaling City Expeditions offers Harbor Tours both days from 12:00-5:00 at a special festival rate. Tug boat enthusiasts should make a point of attending the annual Tug Boat Muster Saturday beginning at 3:00 pm with mini tugs followed by full sized tugs at 3:30 p.m.

The WORKING WATERFRONT FESTIVAL is a project of the COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF SOUTHEASTERN MA, a non-profit organization. The FREE festival, a family friendly, educational celebration of New England’s commercial fishing industry, features live maritime and ethnic music, fishermen’s contests, fresh seafood, vessel tours, maritime authors, cooking demonstrations, kid’s activities and more. It all takes place on working piers and waterfront parks in New Bedford, MA, America’s #1 fishing port, on the last full weekend in September. Navigate to us www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org