Why veteran captains don’t race home to their families
After a long stretch offshore, every captain feels the pull of home. The crew wants rest, family is waiting, and the catch is already below deck. From the outside, the trip can look finished. But winter doesn’t care how close the boat is to the dock. In fact, the most dangerous decision often comes when land is already in sight. When freezing spray starts hitting steel, a fast ride home can turn dangerous. Water on the bow, railings, deck, and gear starts to freeze. And the vessel takes on heavy ice in places where a shift in weight changes everything… The decision that cost 12 hours Captain Henrique Franco has fished groundfish out of New Bedford for more than 30 years. He became a captain at 23, after training in Portugal as a teen under his father’s mentorship. Since then, Henrique has spent his life reading weather, water, ice, crew, catch, and how a boat handles under pressure. So, when freezing spray starts building, Henrique knows not to race home. In fact, he slows down. On a recent winter trip, Henrique expected to reach the dock at 5:00 a.m. He arrived at 5:00 p.m. Those missing 12 hours came from one decision. Ice started to form on the bow as the boat steamed toward land. Henrique could have pushed through at eight or nine knots. Instead, he cut back to three. “If you don’t slow down, you’ll get a lot more ice—and fast,” Henrique says. “So I’ll go very slowly. Even if I’ve got to be away from home until the weather changes. I’ll do that.” More weight from ice buildup changes how the boat sits, turns, and handles. A captain who keeps pushing on can lose control of a vessel in those conditions very quickly. Henrique chooses safety over time onshore. He waits for the weather to shift and brings the crew, boat, and catch back in one piece, no matter how badly he wants to get home. MORE: ‘Mother nature controls our lifestyle’: The real fishing authority The mistake inexperienced captains make Henrique doesn’t describe choosing speed over safety as recklessness. He describes it as inexperience. Once the fish is in the hold and the boat points toward home, the crew starts thinking about sleep, dry clothes, and family waiting onshore. In that moment, a speedy journey home can feel tempting. But a captain who hasn’t sailed enough winter trips may not know how fast ice builds, nor how his vessel handles under that weight. Night makes the call harder. Visibility drops, temperatures fall, and ice can gather faster than the crew realizes. “You gotta know the boat,” Henrique insists. RELATED: The value of an experienced fishing crew for seafood buyers When land gets close, the work isn’t over Reducing the speed to three knots reduces the risk, but it doesn’t stop the ice completely. Henrique sends the crew onto the deck. They break ice by hand, clear railings, work surfaces, and anything else the spray reaches. Commercial fishing decisions like this don’t appear on an invoice, landing report, or sales conversation—but they affect everything that follows. The safest supply chains depend on decisions like this. Someone has to read the weather, slow down, and protect the crew before the product reaches the market. RELATED: Why domestic seafood creates a more reliable supply chain Before the catch reaches the dock A 12-hour delay can look like lost time from the shore. For Henrique, it meant the trip worked as it should. He brought the crew home. He brought the boat home. He protected the catch. He made the slower call because the faster call carried more risk. Judgments like this sit behind every reliable landing. Seafood buyers often see product specs, volumes, pricing, and delivery windows. They rarely see the decisions that make those numbers possible. Experienced captains help create dependable supply because they know when to push and when to wait. That patience brings the crew home, protects the families waiting onshore, and keeps the waterfront working for everyone who depends on the next landing. At Canastra Fishing Co., experience sits behind every catch, every trip, and every conversation. Drop us a line to talk through how steady, domestic supply from an experienced crew could transform your seafood sourcing.
How vertically integrated U.S. fisheries benefit seafood buyers
Most U.S. seafood buyers know the feeling of a last-minute scramble. A container stalls, a spec slips, a supplier suddenly cannot provide basic paperwork… The longer and more fragmented the supply chain, the more chances there are for something to go wrong. Every handoff between vessel, processor, exporter, distributor, and broker creates another point where quality, timing, or documentation can break down. Vertically integrated U.S. fisheries offer a different model. When one operator controls the catch, handling, packing, and logistics, buyers get clearer accountability, faster answers, and a steadier flow of product. Why vertically integrated U.S. fisheries benefit wholesale buyers “When we control the boats and the process, we can stand behind every lot we ship,” says Cassie Canastra Larsen, CEO of Canastra Fishing Co. “That control protects specs, schedules, and buyer reputations.” NOAA says the U.S. imported 6.3 billion pounds of edible seafood in 2023, and that about 80% of the seafood Americans eat comes from foreign imports. That scale creates opportunity, but it also creates exposure. Many imported products move through multiple independent companies before they ever reach an American buyer. Vertical integration strips out much of that complexity. When one supplier controls more of the chain, responsibility stays clear and problems can be resolved faster. Canastra Fishing Co.’s Chief Operating Officer, Ben McKinney, explains that vertical integration directly addresses the most common concern among seafood buyers. “Every buyer I talk to wants the same thing: consistency,” says Ben. “Working with vertically integrated fisheries is the only realistic way to deliver the level of reliability our clients expect.” RELATED: Why domestic seafood creates a more reliable supply chain The tangible costs of the ‘handoff tax’ When seafood moves between different companies and facilities, the risk multiplies. Buyers end up paying what feels like a “handoff tax.” They spend more time chasing updates, solving paperwork issues, and managing substitutions. And the cost is not only administrative. Long, complex supply chains can also affect the product itself. More transfers can mean more handling, more temperature variation, more repacking, and more chances for shelf life to shorten before the fish ever reaches the end customer. Any one of those issues might be manageable on its own. Stack several together, and it becomes much harder to deliver consistent quality week after week. RELATED: Whitefish wholesale: Domestic vs imported no longer tells the full story Better sourcing shouldn’t come from cutting corners Vertical integration can reduce costs and save stress for buyers, but the way a company creates those savings matters. Some seafood businesses try to gain control by squeezing labor, lowering standards, or putting pressure on the people doing the work. That may reduce a price on paper, but it creates risk elsewhere in the chain. For Canastra Fishing Co., the goal is different. The company wants to remove unnecessary handoffs, improve communication, and create a more direct route from boat to buyer without weakening the people behind the product. “We need to be vertically integrated to provide a better price for buyers, but we won’t do that at the cost of our team,” says Cassie. A supplier that protects its crews, dock workers, office team, and local partners can build a more stable operation over time. Lower prices mean little if they come from poor retention, rushed handling, or a culture that burns people out. Responsible vertical integration should make the supply chain stronger, not just cheaper. Reliable traceability when auditors call The global seafood trade keeps growing. FAO says fisheries and aquaculture production reached 223.2 million tonnes in 2022. Growth at that scale brings more opportunity, but it also raises the stakes for traceability. Buyers need accurate records, clean chain-of-custody documentation, and fast answers when auditors or procurement teams start asking questions. That’s where vertically integrated U.S. fisheries have a real edge. Fewer handoffs usually mean fewer documentation gaps and a faster path back to the source. “For U.S. buyers sourcing seafood directly from the trusted docks of New Bedford, you have a direct line to the crew that caught it,” Ben says. “That’s a level of transparency you simply won’t find with a shipping container arriving from the other side of the world.” New regulations reshaping seafood supply chains Beyond the day-to-day risk of delays and spec issues, tighter rules are making fragmented import chains harder to manage. For some imports, that now means a higher risk of delays or extra paperwork. Importers also face the Seafood Import Monitoring Program, which requires traceability data showing where certain seafood was caught and how it moved into U.S. commerce. NOAA says this applies to more than 1,100 species across 13 groups and covers about half of U.S. seafood imports. That gives vertically integrated fisheries—particularly domestic fisheries—an advantage. Fewer handoffs often mean fewer paperwork gaps, fewer disconnected systems, and a clearer chain of custody from boat to buyer. How to evaluate a vertically integrated seafood supplier Not every domestic seafood supplier that claims to be “vertically integrated” actually operates with the level of control buyers expect. Savvy buyers need to look past the label and ask practical questions. Checklist for buyers to use in seafood supplier calls Vessel ownership and control Processing ownership and location Documentation and traceability Grading and specification consistency Workforce and community standards Handling deviations End-to-end accountability Suppliers who answer those questions clearly have real control. Suppliers who can’t often rely on a looser network than buyers expect. A clearer chain of custody from boat to buyer For seafood buyers who value consistency and hate surprises, sourcing from a vertically integrated supplier is a simpler path. Canastra Fishing Co. became a fully vertically integrated supplier with the 2023 acquisition of vessels and permits from a local fishery. By bringing fishing, auction, and distribution closer together, the company has built a more controlled supply chain for wholesale buyers. That control also creates a responsibility to do things the right way. Canastra Fishing Co.’s vertical integration model depends on the same people who have always powered the New Bedford waterfront:
New Bedford scallop prices: What moves the market?
New Bedford scallop prices can be as volatile as the ocean itself. One week, strong supply can soften pricing. The next, limited volume, larger sizes, better quality, or more active bidding can push prices higher. In most cases, larger scallops command higher prices. But size alone doesn’t carry the market. Buyers still look closely at quality, yield and consistency before paying a premium. Cassie Canastra Larsen, CEO of Canastra Fishing Co. and the Buyers and Sellers Exchange (BASE), sees those forces play out every day. They shape what buyers pay, what fishermen earn, and how far seafood companies can plan ahead. Understanding those shifts starts with the market forces behind every bid. How New Bedford scallop prices are set Scallops are a significant driver behind New Bedford’s title as the nation’s highest-value fishing port. BASE sits at the center of New Bedford’s daily scallop pricing, where buyers weigh up size, quality, volume and demand in real time. The Canastra family’s digital system helped turn New Bedford’s traditional seafood auction into a more transparent marketplace. Today, BASE is widely recognized as the largest public fish auction on the Eastern Seaboard, giving buyers and sellers insight into what moves New Bedford scallop prices. “Everyone’s always asking what’s going to happen with pricing, but you never really know,” Cassie says. “It depends on the sizes coming in, the areas, and how much volume you’re getting at a given time. Right now, it feels like the market is figuring itself out.” Auction activity The Northern Gulf of Maine scallop season opens in April, and the first landings can move the market quickly. “When the season starts, you get a lot of volume, and the price kind of takes a little bit of a drop,” Cassie says. “Then it just, sort of, finds its plateau.” The auction creates pricing through real-time buyer activity. When several buyers compete for the same product, prices rise. When fewer buyers bid, prices can hold steady or soften. “When the auction runs, someone doesn’t just step in and say, ‘I’m paying $18.’ It’s activity-based,” Cassie explains. “If you have three or four buyers competing, the price goes up. If you only have one, that’s the number. The price creates itself. It’s literally the bidding process.” MORE: The domestic wild-caught whitefish species buyers need to watch in 2026 Scallop size and quality Size plays a major role in New Bedford scallop prices, but not in isolation. The market groups scallops by count per pound. The lower the count, the larger the scallop, and the higher the price usually climbs. But quality decides whether that larger size earns its full premium. Buyers also look at meat condition, yield, appearance and consistency across the lot. A larger scallop with strong yield and clean presentation can attract more competition. A larger scallop with poorer quality may not pull the same price. Recent auction data showed a clear premium for U10 scallops over smaller count sizes, underscoring how strongly size can shape the market. Cassie looks for a healthy spread between those size categories. Larger scallops should command a clear premium over smaller sizes when quality supports that difference. When that spread holds, the market has a clearer sense of value. When it narrows, buyers and sellers may read that as a sign that the market still needs to settle. “I like seeing that natural spread. It means you’re getting paid for the better product,” Cassie adds. MORE: Why domestic seafood creates a more reliable supply chain Scallop volume When fewer scallops come in, buyers have less product to compare across size categories and quality. That can make pricing feel tighter, especially when auction activity stays limited. With larger volumes, the market has more to sort through. Prices can move more sharply when buyers disagree on the value of a specific size or lot. Fleet behavior matters, too. If too many vessels fish the same area at the same time, a sudden wave of landings can put pressure on pricing. When boats spread out across different areas and openings, supply reaches the market more steadily. MORE: The value of an experienced fishing crew for seafood buyers How fishing conditions affect scallop prices Climate, fishing patterns, and opening schedules can all influence scallop pricing before product reaches the auction. Colder winters can improve yield because scallops tend to have better meat density. Stronger yield can make the product more attractive to buyers, especially when quality stands out across the market. This season, much of the product has come from the Mid-Atlantic, from waters off New York and Long Island down toward Virginia. “The product looks really good this year. We had a cold winter, and that helps a lot with yield,” Cassie says. But in the longer term, warming waters and changing habitat conditions could create uncertainty for the scallop fishery. And dwindling domestic supply can lead to a greater reliance on imports, again affecting price. MORE: What is redfish? A practical guide for buyers and marketers Why market visibility matters for scallop buyers Scallop buyers can’t control what lands, when boats fish, or how active bidding becomes on any given day. But they can make better decisions when they have a clear view of the market. Visibility helps buyers understand whether a price reflects short supply, strong demand, premium sizing, better quality or temporary auction pressure. It also helps them decide when to move quickly, when to wait, and when to adjust size preferences based on availability. Giving that transparency through the auction matters because seafood pricing should reflect real market activity. For a species as valuable and unpredictable as scallops, buyers need more than a price. To stay afloat, they need the context behind it. MORE: Saving the stories behind America’s most valuable fishing port Canastra Fishing Co. brings auction knowledge, domestic supply experience, and honest pricing to every scallop conversation. Drop us a line to see what’s landing now.
How MSC certification strengthens confidence in seafood sourcing
Today’s seafood buyers simply can’t afford to accept vague sustainability claims—they need proof they can stand behind. As scrutiny of seafood sustainability grows, buyers demand real credentials that hold up to questions from customers, procurement teams and regulators. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification gives seafood businesses a recognized way to separate environmentally sustainable sourcing from empty green claims. For buyers, the MSC blue fish label represents a framework for helping support a healthier ocean, supply chain accountability and long-term supply confidence. In a market where promises have come too easily, MSC carries genuine weight with its rigorous certification process built around stock, environmental impact and fishery management. What is MSC certification? Launched in 1997, the MSC is an independent non-profit organization established by the World Wildlife Fund and Unilever. It was created to address the collapse of the Grand Banks cod fishery after years of intense fishing pressure. The collapse devastated coastal communities, disrupted supply and showed how quickly overfishing can affect the environment, livelihoods and seafood supplies. Decades later, MSC certification is widely recognized as one of the most rigorous environmental standards for fishing in the seafood industry. The fishery certification process is neither quick nor superficial. It can take up to 18 months, followed by annual audits and full reassessment every five years. “It’s a rigorous process, and not all fisheries pass,” explains MSC’s Anthony Mastitski. To earn the MSC label, fisheries are independently assessed by third-party auditors against a science-based framework built on three core principles: MSC certification is more than a marketing claim; it gives buyers and consumers independent evidence that a product comes from a fishery assessed against recognized standards. “Sustainability and traceability are core to what we do, and MSC certification helps validate that with buyers,” explains Cassie Canastra Larsen, CEO of Canastra Fishing Co. MORE: Why domestic seafood creates a more reliable supply chain Why MSC certification matters for seafood businesses Sustainability now directly influences buying decisions, not just brand perception. The global sustainable seafood market is projected to reach $33.34 billion by 2032, up from $13.12 billion in 2018. This growth marks a significant shift in consumer values when it comes to making responsible food choices. Over 1,850 MSC-certified products are available in the U.S. and Canada. The blue fish label is now a staple in most major supermarket chains, including Whole Foods Market, Kroger, Aldi, ShopRite, Walmart, and Target. The momentum is equally strong across the pond. In the U.K., 63% of wild-caught seafood sold in supermarkets now carries the MSC label. Spending on MSC-labeled products reached £1.7 billion ($2.3 billion) in 2025, a 14% jump from the previous period. Foodservice has followed suit. McDonald’s and IKEA have both committed to sourcing only MSC-certified seafood for their menus. “A lot of major retailers and international buyers will not buy certain seafood products unless they are MSC certified,” says Ben McKinney, Canastra Fishing Co. Chief Operating Officer. “If you walk into a restaurant, retailer or wholesaler anywhere in the world and you see that something is MSC certified, you know it’s caught sustainably, processed the right way and can be traced right back to that fishery.” RELATED: The domestic wild-caught whitefish species buyers need to watch in 2026 The blue fish label advantages for seafood buyers MSC certification speaks directly to buyer anxiety around seafood sourcing today. Retailers, restaurants and institutional buyers don’t just want to know whether a product tastes good or arrives on time. They also need to know whether the sourcing story holds up and that they’re actually supporting environmentally sustainable fishing standards. Market access and compliance Certification opens doors with organizations that build sustainability standards into procurement as a non-negotiable. As more governments, retailers and foodservice groups tighten expectations around sourcing, MSC-certified seafood gives distributors a stronger position in competitive bids and supplier conversations. It also reduces the chance that a product gets excluded as rules, policies and buyer standards change. Supply stability Seafood supply chains already face pressure from weather, quotas, tariffs and shifting demand. MSC certification doesn’t remove that volatility, but it does show that a fishery operates within environmentally sustainable limits and follows a management framework designed to protect the stock over time. That matters to buyers planning menus, retail programs and long-term supply agreements. Commercial value MSC certification gives distributors a stronger way to sell on value, not just price. Buyers can always find cheaper seafood. But the blue fish label gives consumers a clear reason to choose a certified product over lower-cost alternatives with weaker credentials. MSC certification serves as a sales and marketing asset; it supports shelf differentiation, menu storytelling, ESG reporting and consumer-facing campaigns. Supply chain transparency Transparency has become one of the strongest trust signals in seafood. The MSC Chain of Custody supports that trust by tracking certified seafood through the supply chain. It gives buyers stronger accountability and better confidence in product origin. “And if a customer asks us six months later where a product came from, we can trace it back through bills of lading, invoices and records right to the source,” McKinney says of Canastra Fishing Co.’s operations. Credibility in an era of greenwashing Vague claims like “natural,” “responsibly sourced,” or “ocean-friendly” no longer carry the same weight. What buyers need these days is proof they can show to customers. “As buyers and consumers become more alert to greenwashing, third-party certification helps businesses show that their sustainability claims are backed by science and rigor,” says Camila Flanagan of MSC. That credibility becomes even stronger when certification connects to a supply chain that buyers can see, understand and trust. Turning sustainability into a strategic advantage MSC certification has moved beyond mere compliance. The blue fish label now supports stronger commercial conversations around trust, accountability, supply and reputation. It gives buyers something they increasingly need: a claim they can explain, document and defend. That matters in a market where vague environmental language no longer carries the same authority. MSC certification doesn’t replace a strong relationship with a supplier that has real
‘Mother nature controls our lifestyle’: The real fishing authority
Raymond Canastra has kept a close eye on New Bedford Harbor, Buzzards Bay and beyond for as long as he can remember. Some mornings, the horizon stays friendly, and the fleet heads out with quiet confidence for their trip ahead. Other days, the clouds drop low, the wind turns sharp, and the swells roll in with a hard, uneven rhythm. On those days, the seasoned captain and auctioneer makes the same call he has made across decades on this water. He tells the boats to come back in. “Mother nature controls our lifestyle,” he says, and he has said it time and time again. Weather always gets the final vote. Quotas can wait, markets can shout, and schedules can slip, but nobody negotiates with a turbulent sea. Coming out of a tragic winter That truth feels even more bitter coming out of a rough winter for the Massachusetts fishing community. On January 30, 2026, the F/V Lily Jean sank off Cape Ann, and seven lives were lost. Just over a month later, on March 5, the F/V Yankee Rose capsized and sank near Race Point, leaving one dead and one missing, before the search was suspended. The Lily Jean and the Yankee Rose sit heavily on the minds of fishing families because they remind everyone on the waterfront of the same hard reality: familiar waters can surprise the most experienced crews. Sometimes the danger arrives with rough, freezing conditions. Sometimes it arrives on a day that looks almost calm. Heartbreaking losses like these are the reason captains like Raymond watch every shift in weather so obsessively. When the weather growls, boats listen On a working waterfront, captains track wind speed, sea state, icing risk, and visibility before they talk quotas. A forecast may look manageable a few hours prior, then a squall line flips the plan before the fleet can set sail. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) links severe weather to the majority of vessel disasters in U.S. fisheries. That sobering reality pushes experienced captains to treat storm warnings as a stop sign, not a suggestion. Modern tools help decision-making. Captains check National Weather Service (NWS) Marine Weather Services Program, buoy readings, and models before committing to trips. Still, judgment carries the weight; local knowledge tells you how a northeast wind shapes seas outside Buzzards Bay. When Raymond calls boats home, it’s a decision that protects people, that protects gear, and protects local families so that they can fish again the following week. MORE: Why fair commercial fishing wages matter for U.S. seafood supply The very real dangers of bad weather on the water Bad weather doesn’t just slow a trip down, it changes how a boat behaves under your feet. Captains know these patterns, so they treat fishing boats in bad weather like a different machine entirely. When Raymond calls the fleet back, he chooses a quieter dock over a louder ocean that offers no second chances. RELATED: The Canastra Story: A family name that carries new meaning When the sea turns deadly, the docks remember New England crews still talk about the Andrea Gail and the storm that never gave her a second chance. She left Gloucester in October 1991, and the Halloween nor’easter closed in fast and hard. The boat never came home. The Perfect Storm put that loss on both the page and screen, but fishermen were already carrying the story with them as they readied themselves for their next trip. Weather writes the same lesson across coasts, even when the names and latitudes change. In 1959, the Escuminac disaster killed 35 fishermen after a sudden storm overtook small boats in the Northumberland Strait. In 1967, a fast squall on Lake Michigan capsized more than 150 small fishing boats during the coho run. Seven died, 46 were injured. So when Raymond makes the call from New Bedford, he hears history in the wind and puts his people before the day’s catch. But when he turns boats back, he also turns off that day’s earning power for everyone onboard. A lost trip feels like lost ground, because bills still land even when fish don’t. Captains have to reshuffle ice, trucking, delivery slots and crew timing, then hope the next window holds. The decision looks simple from shore, yet it takes nerve when everyone wants a check and a clean trip. However, in 2010, catch sharing turned the tide of balancing fishermen’s lives with their livelihoods. Giving fishing boats in bad weather room to breathe Catch shares work like reserved portions of the yearly catch that managers assign before the season starts. Instead of racing through a short window, each permit holder, sector, or group fishes against its own allocation. That structure matters in New England, where NOAA rolled out major catch share programs in 2010. The groundfish sector program arrived through Amendment 16, and it allowed vessels to join sectors or fish the common pool. The Atlantic sea scallop individual fishing quotas IFQ also started in 2010. Catch shares protect fishermen because they trade urgency for timing, and timing lets captains respect the forecast. When crews control when they fish, they can skip rough days instead of forcing trips into marginal conditions. NOAA has tied that flexibility to real behavior changes, including fewer trips during the stormiest wind days. Research on a West Coast catch share fishery found fishing on the highest wind days dropped by 79 percent. This doesn’t make the ocean safer, but it does make the safest choice feel possible when pay checks sit on the line. And when captains get that room, they can choose the weather window that brings crews home and boats back out tomorrow. Seasonal weather patterns shape the whole year Crews don’t plan trips one at a time; weather teaches patterns across months and years. In winter, cold air and spray can load ice onto a boat and steal stability fast. In shoulder seasons, fog and fast fronts test visibility, and force captains to
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