Some Things Fishy

Hello, and welcome to “Some Things Fishy”, a space where you can learn about local fisheries- what they are, what they do, and whom they impact.

For those who may wonder about their fish & chips or lobster roll…Who catches them and brings them to shore? Are they caught sustainably?  What economic benefits do they bring to the local community? …  Well, Local Catch 143 is here to help provide some answers.

Scituate’s past as a fishing port is deeply ingrained into our culture. Old Dock Street, which now ends behind TK’s, once led to a busy boatyard. Irish moss from Museum Beach and the Lucien Rousseau Landing contributed to our designation as “The Irish Riviera”. The stony barrier across from the Town Pier was once called Stage House Beach in recognition of the practice of sun-drying salted codfish landed in the harbor.

Today most of this exists only in our memory. Yet, amidst the quotidian hum of shopping and dining that characterizes the life of Front Street, fishing remains a part of Scituate’s economy and culture. A report compiled by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries informs us that 92 individual harvesters landed 1.9 million pounds of finfish, crustaceans, and shellfish with an ex-vessel value of $4,528,000 in 2019. (www.mass.gov/port-by-port -profiles)

According to this report, “COVID-19 revealed the vulnerability of commercial fisheries in ways previously unimagined.” It continues, “Champions at the local, state, and federal levels will need to advocate for and implement a range of actions to maintain jobs, working waterfronts, and a way of life that has been part of the fabric of Massachusetts for generations.”

This is what Local Catch 143 is all about. With focus at the local level, we hope to educate and inform you about fisheries- their importance to our economy, culture, and food security. Please return to this site frequently to learn “what’s fishy.”