Saving the stories behind America’s most valuable fishing port
For Jennifer Tichon, her family’s legacy in New Bedford had existed only in stories passed down through the years. That changed the moment she stepped into the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center (FHC), and her father pointed out a familiar face on the screen in front of them. Suddenly, her great-grandfather came to life in black-and-white footage. “We were all in awe! Everywhere we looked, it was somewhere in New Bedford we knew, someone we knew, something we’d seen, and sounds and voices we recognized,” said Jennifer. It’s moments like this that make preserving New Bedford’s fishing stories so important to FHC executive director Laura Orleans. “It’s been kind of my life’s work to try to make sure that the fishing story is told, and told by the people who live it as much as possible,” she says. New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s mission New Bedford’s bustling docks have launched an untold number of journeys into the Atlantic over centuries, each one carrying not just crews and equipment, but stories of risk, resilience, and community. However, these firsthand memories are at risk of disappearing forever. To preserve them, New Bedford’s Fishing Heritage Center has built an impressive archive of family and community stories through exhibits, programs, and digital collections. Though relatively compact at just 3,000 square feet, the museum’s exhibitions pack an emotional punch for many. For visitors like Jennifer, that impact can be deeply personal. Seeing her great-grandfather in motion transformed her understanding of her family’s history. “It’s common for someone to walk in and see a face they know staring back at them from an exhibit,” Laura says. “But as our community ages, or in those tragic cases where lives are lost at sea, the weight of this work grows.” The people behind the history At the heart of New Bedford’s fishing heritage are the people themselves. Many of the city’s fishermen come from families who have worked these waters for decades. Their knowledge of how to read the sea, mend nets, and endure long, dangerous trips is often passed down orally. The FHC has spent a decade curating this material so visitors can explore and contribute to the story of New Bedford’s fishing industry. By uploading oral histories, family stories, photographs, logbooks, and rare footage, the Center does far more than display artifacts. It preserves the emotional and economic story of New Bedford’s fishing industry. New Bedford’s story runs deep New Bedford’s history is often framed through its whaling past or broad accounts of the local fishing industry’s trials and tribulations that only tell a small part of a fascinating story. What often gets lost are the real community stories that made the port what it is today: multi-generational fishing families; immigrant communities woven into life on U.S. docks; and a rising wave of women reshaping the industry from within. These voices form a living archive that carries the port’s history forward. Preserving them ensures that its identity and future are shaped not only by industry and data, but by the families who continue to sustain it. MORE: The Canastra Story: A family name that carries new meaning Time is running out Preserving New Bedford’s fishing history has become a race against time. If their value isn’t recognized, family photographs, logbooks, and settlement sheets risk being thrown away or forgotten. Yet these everyday items often contain the richest historical detail. Laura says we’ve reached an especially critical time because many of those who lived through New Bedford’s most influential moments are now in their 70s, 80s, or older. When these voices are lost, entire chapters of the community’s history might disappear with them. “We have become the repository for so many stories and photographs that might otherwise vanish,” Laura explains. How the archive keeps stories alive beyond New Bedford For fishing families, the heritage center offers a way to reconnect with their history. But its impact extends beyond the local community. The digital collection is used by students, researchers, authors, local media, and even documentary filmmakers to bring their projects to life. Laura points out that the archive currently receives around 300 searches each month, reflecting what a valuable resource it has become. She says, “Over the last decade, when we’ve lost pillars of this industry, I’ve been able to reach out to their families and say, ‘We have this oral history we did with your father. We want to share it so you can hear his voice again.’ “That’s why this center and the archive really matter.” Reconnecting families with their fishing roots One of the FHC’s more recent exhibits, Hauling Back, takes its name from the process of retrieving fishing gear from the water after it’s deployed (the name also reflects the way fishing families pull knowledge, stories, and skills from the past to share with future generations). Supported with federal funds from the National Maritime Heritage Grant program, the exhibit grew out of a desire to reach those who had not previously been closely involved. “Getting involved with the Fishing Heritage Center has not only helped me feel closer to my father after his death, but it has also helped me feel closer to my heritage,” said Kaylen Quintin, an FHC board member whose father Tommy was lost at sea. Laura hopes these experiences inspire other fishing families to reconnect with their heritage and with the institution preserving it. “For a lot of people who walk in the door, we’re offering a connection to their family’s history,” she says. In many cases, that connection continues to grow. Laura says families featured in exhibits often go on to donate materials, contribute financially, or deepen their involvement in other ways, helping sustain the center’s mission. How to support the Fishing Heritage Center The best way to support the FHC is to visit its digital archive. Whether you’re researching, learning, or simply curious, it offers a meaningful way to connect with the people and history behind the industry. If you would like to support the Center
Why the U.S. fishing industry needs new blood to stay afloat
From the waterfronts of New England to the harbors of Alaska, fishing docks once hummed with anticipation. Young hopefuls would crowd the dock, eager to join a crew and learn the trade from seasoned captains. Today, however, reveals a changing tide. Young faces are steadily disappearing, leaving captains like Henrique Franco, who has fished the North Atlantic for decades, in a difficult position. “There’s a big difference today,” says Henrique. “Before, if a guy missed a trip, you had five or six guys ready to go. Right now, you don’t see that down the docks. They’re empty. “If that doesn’t change very soon, we’ll have no fishermen.” As veteran captains retire with fewer recruits to replace them, the industry faces more than a troubling labor shortage; it’s also losing the generations of valuable knowledge that keeps crews and livelihoods safe. So, where are the aspiring young fishermen that the industry so desperately needs to start taking the wheel? The graying of the fleet Over the years, the demographic landscape of U.S. commercial fishing workers has shifted toward an alarming imbalance. The number of fishers and owners aged 65 and older nearly doubled from 7.6% in 2016 to 13.5% in 2024. Meanwhile, those under the age of 30 account for only 8% of the workforce. The result is a growing shortage of qualified captains nationwide, which is already taking its toll on New England’s working waterfronts. According to a recent NOAA Fisheries report, New England’s commercial fisheries support nearly 290,000 jobs and generate more than $1.4 billion in annual revenue. The region also boasts the nation’s highest-value fishing port, New Bedford, MA (home of Canastra Fishing Co.), where 2023 landings alone were valued at approximately $363 million. But the world-leading value of New England’s commercial fishing sector is only as stable as the hands that handle the nets. And Henrique knows there’s only one way to ensure that knowledge is properly passed down through the crew. “I always have the experienced guys teach the new guys the right way,” he says. “But it takes time.” As those experienced hands disappear from the deck, so does the knowledge that keeps crews one step ahead of challenges—and the catch at the highest quality. RELATED: The value of an experienced fishing crew for seafood buyers What’s keeping the next generation of fishermen away? No single problem explains why fewer young people are pursuing commercial fishing careers, but there are several undeniable contributing factors. Physical demands and safety perceptions Commercial fishing has long been known as one of the most physically demanding jobs in the country. Long hours, rough weather, and the constant risks of working at sea can make the career appear daunting to younger generations. Henrique explains, “It’s not easy. It’s hard enough working in a factory and putting in those hours. But in fishing, the ‘factory’ is moving, and you’re out there in the cold for four to 10 days at a time. Most new fishermen just quit.” Competition from other industries Young people growing up in coastal communities now have more career options than ever, offering stability without the inherent dangers that come with commercial fishing. Industries such as tourism, technology, and healthcare attract people entering the workforce with steady incomes, predictable schedules, and benefits that commercial fishing rarely guarantees. Cultural shifts away from trade careers Over the past few decades, cultural expectations around work have also changed. Many schools emphasize college and professional careers, sometimes at the expense of traditional trades. As a result, fewer young people see fishing as a viable long-term path, even in communities where it’s been a way of life for generations. Regulatory complexity The U.S. fishing industry is governed by more than 40 different laws and policies (e.g., the Magnuson‑Stevens Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, etc.). These federal, state, and regional regulations create the legal framework for everything from catch limits and habitat protection to bycatch and endangered species protections These rules are designed to protect fish stocks and ensure long-term sustainability. But for someone just starting out, the complex regulations can make understanding how many trips they can take and what they can earn confusing. High cost of permits and vessels Commercial fishing permits can cost as much as $300,000, while a vessel can add another $75,000 to well over $1 million. Then you’ve got the cost of fuel, gear, maintenance, crew, insurance… Of course, young fishermen don’t typically enter the industry at this level, but it’s a huge deterrent for those seeking a long-term career in fishing. RELATED: Why fair commercial fishing wages matter for U.S. seafood supply Breaking into the fishing industry For those who aren’t dissuaded from a life on the ocean waves, new pathways are emerging to help the next generation find their footing in the industry. In 2021, Congress passed the Young Fishermen’s Development Act, which provides grants for essential on-ship training and professional mentorship. Organizations across the country offer apprenticeship programs that help bring new workers into the industry, including: Beyond federal assistance, several institutions offer degrees in the fishing sector. Massachusetts Maritime Academy serves as a key training ground for much of the New England fishing fleet. Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) offers a Small Vessel Operations track popular with commercial fishermen, while SUNY Maritime College in New York offers a Marine Operations program for commercial work. While these programs are helping rebuild the talent pipeline, the industry that new fishermen are entering looks very different from the one their predecessors joined decades ago. How commercial fishing has evolved Technology now plays a central role in how modern commercial fishing vessels operate. Fleets like those operated by Canastra Fishing Co. rely on advanced sonar systems, digital catch tracking, and precision navigation tools that help crews locate fish efficiently while reducing unnecessary fuel use. Safety has also improved alongside these technological advances. Today’s vessels carry modern life-saving equipment, conduct regular emergency drills, and place stronger emphasis on crew training and risk awareness. Sustainability has become