Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance
One cold, wet, early morning in the middle of March, soon after Governor Charlie Baker closed
restaurants to anything but take-out and delivery, a few fishing boats glided into Saquatucket Harbor in
Harwich.
The boats, the Dawn T. and Constance Sea, were returning with totes full of monkfish, the ugly, but
delicious fish that Julia Child made famous, as well as tasty skates. Waiting dockside to pick up the catch
were buyers from Marder Seafood. More than a thousand pounds were soon trucked to New Bedford
and processed, to be sent to markets local and global.
Although life is markedly different because of COVID-19, fishermen are still taking to the sea to ply their
trade. Local restaurants are still serving the catch – finned and shelled – that is harvested every day,
although they are doing it curbside, or bringing it to the kitchen door.
Because fishermen have long practiced their own version of social distancing, and often prefer a solitary
path, their businesses are better able to weather the difficulties this virus imposes. But without stable
markets to sell to, and the community’s commitment to buy locally, they are vulnerable.
The Cape, rich in resources and community spirit, has always been able to overcome adversity. We fully
expect to weather this viral storm as well.
View a video at https://www.facebook.com/81057181964/posts/10156765903446965/?vh=e&d=n
More at www.capecodfishermen.org
