Tag Archives: Martha’s Vineyard Fisherman’s Preservation Trust
‘Paris has the Olympics, Menemsha has scallop-shucking’
Around 20 commercial fishing vessels pulled up to the docks stern in. They were supposed to be in by 2 pm but most of them were in by noon, Edmundson said, alluding to an eagerness amongst participants. They had more boats actually than they’d anticipated, both from the Island and mainland. The docks and surrounding area were crowded from 3 pm to 7 pm Thursday with roughly 200 people in attendance. Some gathered to check out the fishing fleet and others stood in line at the raw bar, manned by Quinn and Grady Keefe of Outkast Oyster Company. The brothers, who grew up shucking at the Homeport Restaurant, served Menemsha Creek Oysters for a suggested $3 donation. 7 photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:37
Saving the Small Fishing Industry, One Permit at a Time
Mr. Hopkins has the Island’s lone sea scalloping permit, a million-dollar commercial fisherman’s license the trust purchased and now leases to Mr. Hopkins. The trust works as a permit bank, buying pricey fishing licenses, lobster tags, and other permits so they can lease them to independent fishermen on the Island at less than market price. In a wide-ranging interview with the Gazette this week, trust president John Keene and executive director Dr. Shelley Edmundson discussed the work of the organization and its efforts to maintain an economically viable, independent fishing community on the Island. >click to read<11:44
