Tag Archives: Newport fishermen’s wives
For 54 years the Newport Fishermen’s Wives have been supporting the coastal fishing community in times of need
“One day I’m going to die at sea,” Josh Porter said as he walked into his living room to greet his wife, Denise. He was fresh off a crabbing boat, the fishy, salty smell permeating his clothes. “You need to be a part of the Fishermen’s Wives,” he said. “They’re the ones that are going to be there for you.” Fishing communities all share one thing in common — their dynamics shift when boats leave for months at a time. In Oregon, nearly 1,000 fishing vessels depart from the state each year. Over 300 of those boats touch base in Newport, where many of those left on shore must endure the unpredictability of the fishing industry. One group supports the unique needs of Newport’s community, their fishermen and their families. The Newport Fishermen’s Wives was established in 1970 and is the only nonprofit of its kind on the West Coast. What was first a social club has become a backbone of the community in the last 54 years. Co-president Taunette Dixon was raised within the fishing community of Newport and inherited the responsibilities of the generations before her. Growing up, Dixon spent her fair share of time on a fishing boat. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:18
Newport Fishermen’s Wives work to show up whenever, or wherever, their community needs them
On a windy wet Saturday in January, the Newport Fishermen’s Wives end their annual meeting at Mo’s Seafood and Chowder on the bayfront and welcome visitors. As servers deliver tureens of clam chowder and platters of thick buttery toast, the group members stand to introduce themselves. Then, from the far end of the table, Denise Porter rises. “I started with the Fishermen’s Wives five years ago when my husband passed away,” Porter begins, noting that the anniversary of the capsizing that took Josh Porter’s life was just three days away. “First, I want to say I wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for you,” Porter says. “You walked me through everything … This is my passion. This organization is amazing.” Founded in the 1970s, the Newport Fishermen’s Wives today is the public face of the fishing community, a band of women known for showing up wherever needed, whether it be serving casseroles at a funeral, providing safety gear for the fleet or helping a family make ends meet. Photos, more, >>click to read<< 20:46
Oregon Coast fishing families lean on Newport nonprofit following tough years
Newport, Oregon, resident Taunette Dixon knows how hard it can be to make ends meet in the fishing industry. “My family is a four generation fishing family,” Dixon said. “I married somebody that came from a four generation fishing family, so we’ve kind of been immersed in it all of our lives.” The last three years have been the worst Dixon’s ever had with the small boat the couple runs out of Newport. While she said her family is able to weather the challenging years, she’s seen need for aid grow through the nonprofit group she volunteers with, Newport Fishermen’s Wives. Fishing is a notoriously challenging and, at times, dangerous industry. But the pandemic hit nearly every industry hard in 2020 when the world economy came to a halt. The fishing industry was no different, and three years later it is still struggling to rebound. more, >>click to read<< 09:58
Caring Community: Newport Fishermen’s Wives seeking donations
Dear Community Partner, The Newport Fishermen’s Wives is a non-profit organization of fishermen’s wives, mothers, daughters, and friends, supporting a strong sense of community helping to further the causes of industry, safety, seafood education, and family support. Through the support of our community partners, we are able to provide a number programs to our fishing community such as an Emergency Fund (for local fishing tragedies) and funeral support, Fishermen’s Memorial Sanctuary, Holiday Outreach for fishing families, scholarship funds and the Blessing of the Fleet community lunch and boat parade. more, >>click to read<< 12: 06
Michele Longo Eder of Newport, Oregon has passed away
Michele Longo Eder was born on the Fourth of July, 1954 in Albany, N.Y., to Joseph and Betty Longo. She died at 68 in her oceanfront home at Agate Beach. Michele was taken by lung cancer, with metastasis to the brain. Forty-seven years an Oregonian, she loved this coast and its community. She came west after graduating with honors in political science from Johns Hopkins University. In 1988 she married Bob Eder, a commercial fisherman, Marriage to Bob enriched an already full life for Michele. She was now a mother to two sons, Ben, aged 7, and Dylan, aged 5. Helping them grow into the young men they became made every day challenging and worthwhile. Ben’s tragic death in 2001 in an accident at sea led to the publication of Michele’s book, “Salt In Our Blood: The Memoir of A Fisherman’s Wife.” To say Michele embraced the role of a fisherman’s wife does not begin to cover it. >click to read< 12:52
Newport Fishermen’s Wives Preparing for the annual Blessing of the Fleet
It’s that time of year; Newport Fishermen’s Wives have started our planning for our 2022 Blessing of the Fleet. Everyone is welcome to join us. The recent tragedy of losing two lives on the White Swan III show us the importance of community support for our fleet and the loved ones that have lost someone to the sea or worry about losing a loved one to the sea. The Blessing of the Fleet is a community ceremony honoring local fishermen and their families. The blessing is open to any and all who wish to ask blessings on their fishing vessel, charter vessel, pleasure craft or research vessel. >click to read< 11:31
Sara Skamser remembered as trailblazer, innovator in the commercial fishing industry
As news of Sara Skamser’s death spread across the community last week, people were mourning her passing but also celebrating the life of the woman who made such a huge impact in the fishing industry and on everyone who knew her.,, Commenting on a social media post from the Fishermen’s Wives about Skamser’s death, dozens of people shared their sadness and condolences. She was called “gutsy,” “a great teacher,” “a bright light in everything she did,” and “a tough cookie.” One commenter said Skamser was the “trawl goddess of the West Coast and one of the smartest, funniest, concerned, compassionate and generous people you would have ever met.” >click to read< 08:56
From Oregon to Massachusetts, fishermen’s wives associations are the backbones of their communities
In spring 2020, the fishing community of Newport, Oregon, shuttered along with the rest of the country. A coronavirus outbreak at a local Pacific Seafood processing plant left fishermen sitting on docks with no buyers for their Dungeness crabs, while restaurants closed and families found themselves housebound. That’s when Taunette Dixon and her organization, the Newport Fishermen’s Wives, stepped in.,,, In Massachusetts, the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association was founded in 1969. “We were shore captains,” said Angela Sanfilippo. “We would make sure when the boats came in, they’d get everything they needed so they could go back out the next morning at 2.30. The wife would be responsible to make sure these things happened. As their wives, we knew more than them.” >click to read< 11:32
In Newport, a coronavirus outbreak spreads to local economy
Pacific Seafood ceased operations at all five of its Newport plants. The Oregon Health Authority said the outbreak is contained to Lincoln County and that risk to the public is low. But Newport Mayor Dean Sawyer said most of those who tested positive are locals. The town’s economy is hurting again without a major fish buyer and supplier. And businesses are shutting back down to try to slow the spread of the virus. “They live here, they work here, they’re community-based people,” Sawyer said. “And, of course, the problem with that is that people live and work with people that work in other industries.” >click to read< 12:16
Blessing of the Fleet is May 5 in Newport
The Newport Fishermen’s Wives will once again be sponsoring an event that has become a strong tradition in Newport’s fishing community called the Blessing of the Fleet.,,, This year’s blessing will be on Sunday, May 5, in conjunction with Newport Loyalty Day & Sea Fair Festival. The Newport Fishermen’s Wives are focusing this year’s events on the importance of safety. Fishing is the most dangerous occupation in the United States. The fisherman safety and survival training is essential to ensure fishermen can respond to emergencies while at sea and save lives. >click to read<12:52
A fishing family tradition
Each year in December, Newport Fishermen’s Wives collect and distribute toys, food and clothing to fishing families that need the extra boost. The outreach program began as an effort to make sure there was food in the pantry and presents under the tree for Christmas, and it started because of a now-annual issue, a delayed crab season. It’s an outgrowth of the cooperation that marks an industry known for its close ties and a spirit of unity. “Many families in this area make the majority of their yearly income from crabbing,” said NFW President Taunette Dixon. “And when it starts late, like it has every year since we began this program, it can be devastating for families.” >click to read<
Second delay idles Newport crab fleet
The commercial Dungeness crab season has been pushed back — again — this time to at least Dec. 31 as fishery managers wait for pockets of light crab to come up to par. While some crab need more time to reach the meat content target of 25 percent, the wait has disappointed Newport fishermen who question extending delay when so much of the product is ready to be brought to the docks. Crab from Coos Bay north appear ready for harvest. Tests conducted Dec. 6-9 showed Newport crab at 26 percent meat content,,, Newport fisherman Corey Rock called the delay another example of a limited number of fishermen dictating the terms of the season to the larger fleet. >click to read<09:17
Judge Dismisses Newport Fishermen’s Wives Helicopter Lawsuit Against Coast Guard
Despite the dismissal, the Fishermen’s Wives say the lawsuit ultimately staved off the Coast Guard’s plan to close the Newport air facility last December. The Fishermen’s Wives filed the lawsuit last fall shortly before the planned closure of the Newport Air Station and resulted in an injunction for several days before President Obama signed legislation prohibiting removal of the rescue helicopter prior to January 1, 2016. Read the rest here 07:22
Federal judge declares ‘moot’ a lawsuit over Newport Coast Guard air base closure
U.S. District court Judge Michael McShane last week declared a lawsuit attempting to block the decommissioning of a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter base in Newport as moot, since the base’s existence has been guaranteed until at least early 2016. In October, a group consisting of the Newport Fishermen’s Wives, the city of Newport, Lincoln County and others, sued the Coast Guard in federal court in Eugene to block the closure, which had been scheduled for mid-December. Read the rest here 20:16
Newport Fishermen’s Wives lawsuit against the Coast Guard – Judge hears arguments
Whether a federal judge agrees to toss the Newport Fishermen’s Wives lawsuit against the Coast Guard seeking to keep the Newport helicopter air station open won’t be known for several days. The Fishermen’s Wives filed the lawsuit last November after the Coast Guard announced on Oct. 2, 2014 that it planned to close its Newport air station and fly central coast helicopter search and rescue missions from bases in North Bend and Astoria. Read the rest here 10:42
NEWPORT FISHERMEN’S WIVES REBUT COAST GUARD MISINFORMATION
In a communication to parties to a lawsuit seeking to keep Newport’s open, the Coast Guard is now saying that the closure announcement was not an order – it was only “a proposal,” and that “the proposal” has since been abandoned. And for that the Coast Guard is now saying the lawsuit filed against them by Fishermen’s Wives should be dropped. Fishermen’s Wives spokeswoman Ginny Goblirsch has written a response to this latest Coast Guard position: Read the rest here 11:08
Fishermen’s Wives attorney responds to Coast Guard claims that the helicopter is not needed in Newport
Fishermen’s Wives attorney Michael Haglund has filed his clients’ rebuttal to the Coast Guard’s allegations that they have done their homework to justify the closure of the Coast Guard Air Facility at Newport. But first a review of the Coast Guard’s basic arguments for closure. The Coast Guard contends the closure will have no effect on the safety of those,,, Read the rest here 15:52
Newport Fishermen’s Wives: Blazer sinking highlights need for Coast Guard rescue helicopter
The helicopter was dispatched before dawn on Saturday to rescue the boat’s five-person crew as the vessel sunk near Siletz Bay. If the helicopter hadn’t been available, members of the Newport Fishermen’s Wives argue, men might not have arrived home safely. Read the rest here 21:19
Newport Fishermen’s Wives seeks injunction to prevent the USCG from eliminating our helicopter
Newport Fishermen’s Wives is filing suit in federal court, seeking an injunction to prevent the USCG in Wash D.C. from eliminating our helicopter. To make a contribution for legal fees, click the link below. OR mail your contribution to NFW P.O. Box 971 Newport, OR 97365 NFW is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Thank you so much. #savethehelo http://www.
Newport fishermen’s wives scramble to save rescue helicopter -Won’t give up without a fight
NEWPORT, Ore. — At 11 a.m. Friday morning, the “Newport Fishermen’s Wives” group held an emergency meeting hours after hearing that the Coast Guard plans to close the town’s search and rescue air operation. The fisherman’s wives first brought the helicopter with it’s four-person crew to Newport after a series of fishing tragedies in the 1980s. Read the rest here Sign the Petition HERE. 12:27
