Tag Archives: Stonington
Ocean Shock: Lobster’s great migration sets up boom and bust
A lobster tattoo covers Drew Eaton’s left forearm, its pincers snapping at dock lines connecting it to the American flag on his upper arm. The tattoo is about three-quarters done, but the 27-year-old is too busy with his new boat to finish it.,,, Eaton belongs to a new generation of Maine lobstermen who are riding high, for now, on a sweet spot of climate change. Two generations ago, the entire New England coast had a thriving lobster industry. Today, lobster catches have collapsed in southern New England, and the only state with a significant harvest is north in Maine, where the seafood practically synonymous with the state has exploded. >click to read<11:54
Stonington fishermen to hold open house on Saturday at Gambardella’s Wholesale Seafood at the Town Dock
The town’s commercial fishermen will hold an open house from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, at the Gambardella’s Wholesale Seafood location at the Town Dock. The event is being billed as an opportunity for residents to meet fishermen, local retailers and restaurants and find out what types of seafood are for sale locally this time of year and how the fish are processed and prepared for the local market. There will be an opportunity for people to go aboard a working fishing boat and learn how it operates as well as meet fishermen, ask them questions and learn what issues are concerning to them. >click to read<17:32
64th Blessing of the Fleet ceremonies set for Sunday in Stonington, Connecticut
The 64th annual Blessing of the Fleet in the borough will honor local fishermen who have died at sea with traditional remembrances and prayers and, for the first time, an exhibit of artifacts and photographs from local fishing boats. The Blessing is slated for Sunday, although festivities kick off today with the Blessing of the Fleet 5k road race at 6 p.m. in the borough. Each year, the event focuses on commemorating fishermen who died at sea, with special prayers for the safety and success of current fishermen, said Georgia Crowley, who co-chairs the event with her husband, Mike, and Ellie Dunn, all members of St. Mary Church in the borough. click here to read the story 11:55
In a small marine community in Maine, Lobsters Are Keeping Students in School
Three hours from Portland, Maine, and two hours from the state capital of Augusta, picturesque Deer Isle has two towns on it (Deer Isle and Stonington), a combined year-round population of about 2,500 people, and not a single fast-food chain—or any chain store for that matter. Those who live beyond the narrow, turquoise suspension bridge connecting Deer Isle to the mainland are called PFAs (“people from away”), even if they work or attend school on the island. At the southern end of the predominantly middle-class, overwhelmingly white island lies a small but bustling harbor. In 2015, Stonington port brought in $63.8 million worth of lobster, landing it the title of Maine’s no. 1 commercial fishing port. The influence of maritime culture is evident at every turn: The local convenience store opens at 3:30 a.m. in the summers to accommodate early-to-rise fishermen.,,But getting young people to stay in school is another story. At the island’s only high school, Deer Isle-Stonington High School (DISHS), there has been a sense among some students that school is just standing in the way of going off and making money, and some of their parents see school as basically a lousy babysitter. Read the story here 14:38
At annual Stonington blessing, fishermen add one more to ranks of those who have died at sea
When Peggy Krupinski used to attend the Blessing of the Fleet each year, her husband Walter was always with her. This year, she came alone. Helped on both sides on Sunday by the family members of men who lost their lives on fishing boats, Krupinski held an anchor-shaped wreath of red flowers over Stonington Harbor. Standing behind her on the fishing boat Neptune, The Most Rev. Michael Cote, bishop of Norwich, read a prayer. “O God, who alone know the depth of the oceans and the destiny of souls, we commit to your care those who never returned from the sea.” Krupinski let the wreath drop into the harbor. “Give them pardon and peace with you, and grant that we may see them again.” And with that, Walter Krupinski — known as “Wally” — was added to the list of Stonington fishermen who have died at sea. Read the rest here 11:06
Stonington: Bureaucracy claims another victim – After more than a century, Wilcox Marine closing down
STONINGTON — Jeff Wilcox can remember when there were 50 commercial fishing draggers in Stonington Harbor. Now there are only two, said the owner of Wilcox Marine Supply Inc. As the fishing industry has declined — due to overly stringent federal regulations, fishermen say — Wilcox’s customer base has shriveled. And now, he says he has to close the doors of his longtime family-owned business. more@westerlysun 19:15
