Tag Archives: gloucester
Tight-Knit Fishing Communities Navigate Drugs
Johnnie*, a salt-and-pepper fisherman in his late 50s, is smiling as he tells me what happened one dark night last year. “It was like a movie star, dropping down from the sky off the helicopter to get to my crewmate, pitch of night,” he says. “The Coast Guard—this handsome guy, my wife would’ve loved him, like Rock Hudson—dropped down from the moon. Felt like hours after we had given him all the Narcan we had. The Coast Guard still didn’t carry it back then, did you know that? So they pulled him up into the clouds and we all were left below at sea.”, “It’s not the first time that’s happened on our boat,” Johnnie says. “If we didn’t have that Narcan on board though, kid probably wouldn’t have made it.” >click to read< 19:13
The Voices of Gloucester Fishermen: NOAA offers virtual trip through Gloucester fishing history
The voices speak to the experience of living and fishing in America’s oldest commercial seaport, of the challenges and the joys of working on the waters of Cape Ann and beyond. They are at once a snapshot and endurable timeline collected into recorded interviews and fashioned into an 
integrated story map of the Gloucester fishing and community experience. The stories and the voices which tell them are contained in the newest online chapter of the Voices of Oral History Archives organized and produced by NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Fisheries Science Center. It’s titled “Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport” photos, video, >click to read< 11:55
Now that’s waterproof! Lobsterman fishes dropped iphone, still working, from the depths
Two weeks ago, Gloucester lobsterman Andrew Gossom was working on his boat, the F/V Sandollar, while it was tied up on the far side of the old Intershell building off St. Peter’s Square. The 26-year-old Gloucester native was talking on his iPhone 12. He had called Tony Gross, his former boss on the Sandollar,,, The iPhone 12 can do many things. Flying is not recommended. Gross, at home in Annisquam, heard two sounds. The first, while unusual, was unmistakable: The plop of something entering the water. >click to read< 11:27
A Christmas Eve Tale – Loss of ring nearly cost his life. He found it in the belly of a codfish, arrived in Gloucester to marry his Mollie
With a headline sounding like a poem or song, this memorable Gloucester Christmas eve tale by Tom Herbert was published in the Boston Globe in 1893 – Christmas Eve. Boston Globe 1893, He kept his promise. Loss of ring nearly cost his life. He found it in the belly of a codfish, arrived in Gloucester to marry his Mollie! “Such a dread as I have of your going away so late in the fall,” said pretty Mollie MacDonald to her lover. “And remember we are to be married Christmas eve.” “Why it’s only a three weeks’ trip, Mollie, to the Western banks,” said McAchen, “Then you know, too, I am shipped in the famous Star of the East and we will sail at daybreak.”,, “But what about the engagement ring, Angus? >click to read< 09:20
The nations oldest fishing port’s lobster trap tree survives
The country’s oldest fishing port is celebrating the holidays once again with a community Christmas tree made from a stack of lobster traps, ornamented with lights and, soon enough, buoys painted by local children. “There is something really special about the whole thing,” said David Brooks,,, The lobster trap tree outside the Gloucester police station was put together this year during a nor’easter,,, Brooks and eight elves assembled the tree, The traps used to assemble the tree are supplied by the Brooks Trap Mill in Thomaston, Maine, and coordinated by a local supplier, Three Lantern Marine. “They have been huge supporters,” Brooks said. (Thank You!) photos, >click to read< 17:58
Family of fisherman lost at sea, Michael Porper Jr., thanks public
It’s been more than two weeks since Michael Porper Jr. was lost at sea, and his family continues to struggle with grief. The 38-year-old Gloucester native was among the four crewmen aboard the dragger F/V Emmy Rose when it went down early Nov. 23 off Provincetown. “It’s difficult, sometimes it’s really hard — just too much,” said his father, Michael. Porper said his son, known as Mikey, was born, raised and attended schools in Gloucester, and started working on fishing boats when he 15. “He really never stopped,” he added. “His great-grandfather was a famous fisherman, and he wanted want to be just like him,” he said, referring to Capt. Robert Porper, noted by author Gordon Thomas as a “highliner” in the fishery, his vessels catching more halibut than any other Gloucester schooners. >click to read< 11:24
Spiny dogfish eat small Atlantic codfish! DNA may provide some answers
Conventional observations show that spiny dogfish in the western North Atlantic rarely eat Atlantic cod. However, some believe the rebuilding dogfish populations are limiting depleted cod numbers by competition or predation. To find out what is going on, NOAA Fisheries scientists looked to genetic testing to confirm cod presence in dogfish stomachs. >click to read< 13:10
Michael G. Dearborn, Navy Veteran, Self-employed commercial lobster fisherman
Michael G. Dearborn, 76, of Gloucester, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 9, 2020. He continued to own and operate a lobster fishing business in Massachusetts for over 50 years. At the height of his career during the late 70s and early 80s, Michael was known as an innovator, pioneer, and industry leader. In addition to his experience on the water, Michael was an avid legislator, conservationist, and industry advocate. He served as a member of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, the Atlantic Lobstermen’s Co-Operative, and the MA Lobster Committee Management Team. Above all, Michael’s proudest accomplishment was that of being a father to his three children – Peter, Christopher, and Courtney – whom he loved dearly and spoke of in the highest regard. >click to read< 09:24
Can New England’s cod fishing industry survive? (How can the scientists and regulators ignore the ever increasing seal predation?!)
Gloucester, Massachusetts, grew up around cod. The waterfront teemed with boats and fishermen, heaps of fish thrashing in wire baskets. Boats were inherited from fathers and shipyards boasted of operating since 1684. As late as the 1980s, the cod were so abundant and large (30-50lb each) that the fishermen still brought in big hauls. Cod remains the state fish of Massachusetts., “We’ve been regulated out of existence,” former Gloucester fisherman Sam Sanfilippo said in 2017. “This used to be the biggest fishing community in the world. Ice companies, wharves, fish dealers, truckers, supermarkets … All through high school, I was always a fisherman. And here I am today: recycler, bike seller, furniture-maker. “I’m 50 years old and I don’t know what the hell I am.” >click to read< 07:30
Canada to ban ‘nuisance seals’ killing to keep access to U.S. market – Canada will abolish permits that allow the killing of “nuisance seals” by commercial fishermen and aquaculture in an effort to maintain access to the lucrative U.S. seafood market, Fishery management failure enacted for fish farmers >click to read<
Vessels fly flags at half-mast for Vitale – In loving memory of Gloucester Fisherman Nicolo Vitale
We didn’t know Nicolo Vitale personally, though we suspect that our paths at least crossed a few dozen times and we probably would have recognized him even if we didn’t know him, even if we’d never howdy’d or shook, as they say in Texas. It’s the nature of a small town. Yes, we’re a city, but we’re really a very small town. Especially along the waterfront. For the second time since December 2015, we had to write about a local commercial fisherman dying while fishing. >click to read<
In loving memory of Gloucester Fisherman Nicolo Vitale – Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, visiting services with his family were held privately. A memorial mass and Celebration of Nicky’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Nick’s Fishermen’s Safety Fund through Cape Ann Savings Bank, 109 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 to help provide personal safety devices to fishermen. >click to read< 08:36
BREAKING: Fisherman goes overboard on way home
A local fisherman went overboard as his ship was coming into port this evening. Nicolo Vitale, 49, was on the Miss Sandy as it returned to Gloucester Harbor, and went overboard about one mile from the breakwater. He was pulled from the water by a crew from Coast Guard Station Gloucester. He was brought to shore, where medical personnel treated him before he was taken to Addison Gilbert Hospital. The story will be updated at GDT >click to read< 19:04
Providing seafood to the public in Gloucester: Drive-Thru “Pop-Up” Event-Tuesday 3/31/20
We at Fisherman’s Wharf Gloucester were so overwhelmed with the unexpected turnout from Saturday’s event. We want to continue to provide seafood to the public. We’re stocking up on Fresh Haddock right off F/V Miss Trish II and Scallops from our local day boats. Thank you for your support of our local business, and we look forward to seeing you at Tuesday’s event. Scallop and Haddock Drive-Thru “Pop-Up” Event, Tuesday March 31st Starting at 12:00 pm-5pm 37 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA details, photos, >click to read< 10:01
Family’s fishing vessels vandalized in Gloucester
Police were called to Captain Joe’s Marina at 95 East Main St. for a report of vandalism on multiple lobster boats. Upon inspection, police found that someone had taken the padlock off the cabin of one vessel and drilled several holes through the hull of the boat with the intention of sinking it at the dock. A fellow fisherman had noticed the vessel sitting low in the water and called the owner. Besides the holes, the owner found the bilge pumps had been sabotaged and his emergency pump had been disabled. >click to read< 08:00
Gloucester: Lobstermen push against whale rules – ‘We’ve borne the brunt’
The evening began with a presentation from NOAA Fisheries’ Mike Asaro and Colleen Coogan that offered a historical backdrop on the status of the North Atlantic right whale stock and an explanation of the specific protectionist measures adopted in April by the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team.,, In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, lobstermen are tasked with reducing their vertical lines by 30 percent. In Maine, where there has been significant pushback by state officials and the nation’s most formidable lobster fleet, the target is significantly higher — 50 percent. Then came the comment period and the usual choosing of the sides. Photo’s, >click to read< 22:04
“I woke up to my dad’s screaming, ‘We’re on, we’re on!,” Teen’s first catch a big fish tale
Devin Zelck was fast asleep on the deck of the boat Dogbar at 7 a.m. last Friday when the big fish took the bait. “I woke up to my dad’s screaming, ‘We’re on, we’re on!,” she said. Ten hours later,,, Jim Alvarez, the captain of the boat who, along with Zelck’s father, helped the teen haul in the massive fish, said it was the biggest tuna he has caught in his 10-year career. Devin Zelck said she had gone tuna-fishing with her father, Steve, a commercial fisherman out of Gloucester, several times but had always come up empty. They headed out at 5 a.m. last Friday on the Dogbar for what was supposed to be a short, half-day trip. >click to read< 08:47
April 24th, 25th – Fishermen safety training planned in Newburyport, Gloucester
Fishing Partnership Support Services, which was founded in 1997 and maintains offices in four Massachusetts port communities, announces the following training schedule: April 24: Safety and survival training, U.S. Coast Guard Station, 65 Water St., Newburyport, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 25: Drill conductor training, U.S. Coast Guard Station, Newburyport, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Safety and survival training, U.S. Coast Guard Station, 17 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26: Drill conductor training, U.S. Coast Guard Station Gloucester, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch is provided. Safety and survival training will cover: man-overboard procedures, onboard firefighting, emergency communications, flood and pump operation, survival suits, life raft deployment and boarding, and basic first aid. >click to read<12:30
Behind the Scenes with Wicked Tuna
The men on the dock were the tuna boat captains who head the cast of the upcoming eighth season of the National Geographic channel’s reality show Wicked Tuna, airing this year. They had spent the summer fishing—and filming—and had plans to ply the waters throughout the fall, but for the moment they were fulfilling the responsibilities of their other job: TV star. “We’re just fishermen who got a shot at doing something really cool,” says T.J. Ott, who captains the Hot Tuna on and off the show, which has developed a cult following. >click to read<21:27
Gloucester: NOAA drops port’s rank in latest report, even as local fish landings, values rise
U.S. fish and shellfish landings increased incrementally last year in both volume and value, while Massachusetts ended the year with the second-highest value of commercial landings among the 50 states, according to an annual report on U.S. fisheries released Thursday by NOAA.,,, The report, however, reflected a reigning status quo for the port of Gloucester. America’s oldest seaport produced slight increases in volume and value of its landings, while its ranking among other U.S. commercial ports declined slightly. The volume of Gloucester landings rose 1 million pounds, or 1.5 percent, from the previous year to 64 million pounds. The value of those landings grew by $1 million, or 1.9 percent, to $53 million from $52 million in 2016. >click to read<20:44
Letter: Fishermen need federal help
It is time to wake up. I read in Fishery Nation about protesters and fishermen opposed to a hotel on the waterfront in Portland, Maine. It seems their city fathers are having a difficult time turning those developers down due to less commercial fishing in their town. I can understand it is hard for them to turn down hotels and other businesses. We in Gloucester face the same. Our fisherman can be displaced and new developments can perhaps provide more tax dollars to the city, but at our fisherman’s expense. >click to read<09:23
Columbus Day Trip With Captain Matthew Parisi of Gloucester
Looking back in time and remembering my dad Captain Matthew Parisi of Gloucester, I can never forget what he taught me as to where to fish each trip. But every Columbus Day he had special spots. Sometimes it would be like off Thatcher’s Island, Middle Bank or off the Cape in the shoal water. The herring would be around at that time of year to spawn and the haddock, cod and other ground fish would come to eat the spawn. One trip I remember was off Cape Cod,,, >click to read<09:42
High Liner: Captain Salvatore Parisi and F/V St. Rosalie
My grandparents, Salvatore Parisi, and his wife Grace came to this country in 1922 from Sicily, and settled in Gloucester, Mass. They had four children at the time of arrival. Oldest son Joseph, and daughters Rosalie, Lena, and Grace., and he bought a fishing boat called the St. Rosalie. Along the way, a few more children were added and they had six sons, Joe, Ben, Charles, Tony, Mathew, and Nick, who all went fishing. >click to read<14:37
Gloucester’s annual Overdose Vigil grows and glows on waterfront
Down on Stacy Boulevard, over by the Blynman Bridge flagpole, they gathered again and lit their luminaries as the last of the evening’s light left the sky. There were 520 luminaries by Patti Day’s count, up 40 from last year, and she said the counting wouldn’t end till the vigil itself ended. Patti Day — a sister of Kathy Day, an original organizer of the annual Overdose Vigil, now in its eight year — is herself a recovered heroin addict. She is also a tan, fit living contradiction of two common misconceptions about addicts: That they are low-life denizens of some netherworld, and that they are bound to relapse. >click to read<12:18
Dixon McGlohon, 27- ‘Wicked Tuna’ Fish buyer city’s 11th overdose of year
Lucas Pina, general manager at the Lynn-based North Atlantic Traders, sent a text message to company buyer and driver Dixon McGlohon of Gloucester on Tuesday afternoon, thanking him for putting so much extra effort into the job. “I just told him, ‘Thanks for stepping up,'” Pina said Thursday, “and he responded, ‘Just doing my job.’ Now that’s class, and that’s the kind of guy he was.” Just a few hours later, McGlohon, known for his appearances on the National Geographic reality TV show “Wicked Tuna,” was pronounced dead at the age of 27, thought by police and Fire Department responders to be Gloucester’s latest victim in the ongoing opioid crisis. Police and the Essex District Attorney’s office are still awaiting a confirmed cause of death from the office of the state medical examiner. >click to read<19:06
Dear Congressman Moulton, about that Bill? HR-200?
I have been a supporter of yours from day one. I donated money, made your signs, found sign locations, even had my family and some of my friends support you. And they did! I was surprised and disappointed to find out through our, yours and my local newspaper, that you had voted against Congressman Don Youngs Bill, HR – 200. As you know Seth, I have informed you of the issues our fisherman are facing such as untrusted and sometimes disputed science used by NOAA, the North East Canyon and Seamounts National Marine Monument off Cape Cod that our fishing boats depended on for whiting fishing, as fishermen from other ports are also shut out from their fisheries. Congressman, it seems as though you are not actually listening to your constituents. Sam Parisi >click to read<16:57
American oldest seaport, Gloucester needs new fishermen to keep Gloucester fishing into future !
There is a problem facing most of our fishing communities today in the U.S. Fish stocks are coming back, and most of our fishermen are gone. Our fishing communities need to get young people into the fishing industry. Here’s an example: NOTICE America’s oldest seaport needs new fishermen to keep the City of Gloucester fishing into the future! Whiting fishing begins July 15, 2018, and at age of 75, Sam Novello might have to go back whiting fishing again because lack of fishermen in today’s commercial fishing industry. (He’s looking for a crewman.) >click to read<09:15
Gloucester: Intershell’s new boat a sign fishing still to be done
A week before Gloucester gives itself over completely to the annual St. Peter’s Fiesta, the city’s fishing fleet and shoreside stakeholders had something tangible to celebrate in the effort to return the city to its fishing glory. Undaunted by gray skies and passing showers, nearly 50 people assembled Saturday at the Intershell facility on Harbor Cove to honor the christening and blessing of the newest vessel in the Gloucester fleet — Intershell’s wholly refitted, 55-foot surf clam boat, F/V Bing Bing. The all-metal vessel, though built in Moss Point, Mississippi, in 1977 as a sea clam boat, has evolved into an all-Gloucester boat through the 10-month re-fitting that included the work of dozens of local tradesmen, the facilities at Rose’s Marine and the entire Intershell team. >click to read<15:23
The Life of a Fisherman, On the Small Screen: Gloucester’s Famous TV Stars
America’s oldest seaport, Gloucester, Massachusetts is 31 miles north of Boston. Settled in 1623 as an English colony, its charter predates both those of Salem and Boston (1626 and 1630, respectively).,, The lore of Gloucester’s brine also includes a colony of commercial fishermen. Some of those seafarers are featured on National Geographic’s hit television series Wicked Tuna. New Boston Post caught up with Dave Marciano, captain of the Hard Merchandise, for some behind-the-scenes dish about the show, to discuss why the popular series launches from Gloucester, and most importantly to understand how the endangered bluefin tuna population is protected from over-fishing. >click to read< 15:00
‘Dead in the Water’ screened in Gloucester – ‘We knew it was bad, but we had no idea how bad’
There have been almost a half-dozen screenings now of the “Dead in the Water” documentary on the commercial fishing crisis and one things is clear: Most people who don’t fish for a living have no real grasp of the complexities and challenges that fishermen face every day just to keep fishing. That, of course, was one of the motivating forces in the making of the film, both for director David Wittkower, a Rockport native, and stakeholder producers John Bell and Angela Sanfilippo.,, “It’s accurate and it’s painful,” Sanfilippo said Saturday morning before the first of two sold-out screenings at the Cape Ann Museum. “But it’s the truth.” >click to read< 18:25
“The Bomb Cyclone Storm” (explosive cyclogenesis) – Its a Mess Everywhere!
Gloucester – Water and whiteouts: Homes, businesses flooded; thousands without power – click here00:41
New Bedford – Carlos Rafael continues to give Feds headaches as boat breaks free – click here
Maine – Storm triggers Maine’s worst tidal flooding since historic Blizzard of 1978 – click here
PHOTOS: Massachusetts Flooding During Blizzard 2018 – click here
New Hampshire – Bomb Cyclone Pounds Seacoast – click here
Nova Scotia – Powerful storm surge rips up roads as it slams into Nova Scotia coast – click here
Gloucester: City needs full-time fishing director
The need for a full-time fisheries director is now. Back in 2015, then interim Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and the Gloucester Fisheries commissioners agreed there was need for a full-time director. It has been almost 20 years since we had someone full-time. They also agreed the job was horrendous and time-consuming. In 2016, at a mayoral debate that I attended, I asked both candidates, Paul McGeary and Romeo Theken if they would support a full-time fisheries director. click here to read the story 20:11
