‘Wicked Tuna’ stars hit TV’s fast lane
I met Captain Dave Marciano at a listening session in Gloucester a few years ago. The issues were the transformation of the NE ground fishery on two fronts. Catch Shares and hard TAC’s. The future was bleak for many fishermen, and Dave was no exception. He had concluded that the best he could do for the welfare and future of his family, was to sell his permit and get out, instead of investing huge capital to stay in. He had taken his place at the podium and told us he had no choice, and I knew it was one of the toughest days of his life. I was moved by his sad speech, and as he was leaving with his chin dragging across the floor at Gloucester City Hall, built on the ocean commerce that was Gloucester for century’s, I had to say something to him. Hell. I wanted to say something to all those fishermen that day, including Joe Orlando who was quite upset that day. I followed Dave outside and got his attention. I’ll never forget the look on his face. He was hurting. What I said to him that day was, how proud I was of him for putting his family first when he made his decision.
Life is full of surprises.
I read todays article at the Gloucester Times today, and knowing Dave is “real people”, I busted up reading about our new “star” stuffing the butter flower into his mouth!
I talked to him today on the phone and we had a few laughs about things that are unnatural to a guy like Dave, and many of us that would be thrust into the limelite. Things like his driver asking him to let him do his job by allowing him to handle Dave’s luggage, things like that.
Of all the guys I know, Dave deserves this time on NatGeo’s hot TV series. He is the bonified fisherman on the show, and to tell you the truth, I probably would skip it if he was not on the show.
From the article: The second season of “Wicked Tuna” kicked off last night, now an hour earlier at 9 p.m. The series hooked viewers around the globe its first season, going into 440 million homes in 171 countries and 38 languages. The series depicts the lucrative nature of the bluefin tuna business and the fierce rivalry among the fishermen, some whose livelihood depends on their success at sea. Read more
Couldn’t have happened to a better guy. I’m very happy for him.
We had a good talk today and you’re right.
Well deserved and I know he’s grateful.
Super stoked for Dave. Got to be familiar with him from the comments at GDT, and I’m happy for him becoming a tv star. He is my favorite on Wicked Tuna too, even ahead of the guy from my home town (Paul). That says alot. I hope being on the show helps him and his family get ahead financially. It’s so tough getting by these days, just fishing.
dear capt. dave and
if you get to read this, I want to congradulate you on a awesome
end to the season. you guys are by far my favorite fishermen…
‘thank you for another great season of entertainment watching
this professional sport…..
thanks guys
freddy