Local News
Fisherman's Co-op works to keep industry alive
Yankee Co-op hopes to bolster local fishermen's sales
SEABROOK — Yankee Fisherman's Co-op's experimental move to sell fish directly to consumers at farmers markets has been such a success, the organization is taking to cyberspace, launching a Web site allowing residents and businesses on both sides of the border access to fish freshly caught from the Gulf of Maine.
In January, the 61 members of the only commercial fishermen's cooperative left along this stretch of the Atlantic made the bold move of selling to consumers at enclosed New Hampshire farmers markets. The decision was an attempt to help the region's beleaguered 400-year-old commercial fishing industry survive.
"The idea worked," said co-op manager Robert Campbell, laughing. "How about that?"
The co-op's endeavor corresponded with the Granite State's Buy Local campaign, intended to help local farmers, bakers, food processors and dairy producers by encouraging the region's consumers to buy locally grown and made food.
Some farmers markets, once considered only a summer activity, are now enclosed and open year-round, allowing the co-op to continue selling fresh Gulf of Maine shrimp to those who buy into their program.
"Exeter's (indoor) farmers market feels having us there with the seafood draws more people to the market," Campbell said.
Campbell is also working with Newburyport's farmers market in hopes of taking part in that as well. Newburyport's market just closed for the winter.
But for those looking for added convenience, and for those living across the border in Massachusetts, Yankee Fisherman's Co-op has launched its Web site, www.yankeefish.com, through which consumers can buy into an eight-week shrimp share program. Restaurants can also use the site to access freshly caught fish like cod, haddock, flounder and lobsters wholesale directly from the co-op, with no middlemen in between.
The result can lower costs of seafood for those who love it.
"Your shrimp will carry the New Hampshire Fresh and Local brand, which ensures it was landed in New Hampshire and is the freshest available," Campbell said.
Buying seafood in this way not only assures the freshest fish, but it supports the region's commercial fishermen involved in a historic New England industry that has suffered setbacks in recent years, Campbell said.
The Yankee Fisherman's Co-op in an organization of ground-fishermen who catch cod, pollock, haddock, flounder, etc., as well as lobstermen, tuna fishermen and shrimpers. Fishing the waters of the Gulf of Maine, boats leave in the morning to fish and return to port each evening with their catch, assuring the freshest products available, while complying with the current fishing regulations to ensure sustainable supplies of fish in the future, Campbell said.
The Co-op's Route 1A facility is annually inspected by the FDA and has continually met or exceeded all health and safety standards.
How to order
Ordering shrimp through Yankee Fisherman's Co-op:
The co-op is offering shares for the upcoming Northern Shrimp season.
Online: Visit the Web site, www.yankeefish.com, and click on "Shrimp CSF" at the top of the page. An eight-week subscription to the winter (January - February) season offers a full share or 10 pounds of whole shrimp per week for a total of $128, or $1.60 per pound. Half shares are also sold for $72 ($1.80 per pound).
Shareholders can pick up their shrimp at the co-op on Route 1A in Seabrook, or at Exeter's Farmers Market at the scheduled times.
Restaurants or other food service businesses can click on "Wholesale" to purchase popular ground fish and lobsters directly from the men who catch them, with price and availability quoted over the phone. For more information, contact Robert Campbell at the Yankee Fisherman's Co-op at 603-474-9850.
-
-
Waves, rescues surge
SALISBURY BEACH — There has been little downtime for Salisbury Beach lifeguards over the past few days, as massive waves have led to frequent rescues and injuries to beach-goers.
Continued ...
Tuesday set a notable record: Lifeguards conducted at least 18 rescues, about half of all the rescues they have conducted this summer. Lifeguard supervisor George Nigro said a combination of warm water, hot temperatures, high surf and a high volume of swimmers led to the busy day. -
MEMA: Earl's impacts still unclear
NEWBURYPORT — As Hurricane Earl spun toward North Carolina's Outer Banks, local officials were preparing for the worst yesterday, though forecasters continued to expect the storm to veer to the northeast sometime today.
Continued ... -
Chief: Flaggers 'not a good arrangement'
AMESBURY — As the state embarks on a long-awaited widening of Amesbury's Route 110 roadway, local police are expressing some disappointment that the Massachusetts Highway Department is choosing to use flagmen instead of the town's police force to handle increased traffic during construction.
Continued ... -
Councilors balk at $10K for charter consultant
NEWBURYPORT — The City Council hesitated this week when faced with a request from the Charter Commission for $10,000 to hire a consultant to assist in the charter review process, saying they needed more specific information about what the money will go toward.
Continued ... -
City wins $625K to fight youth substance abuse
NEWBURYPORT — The city has received a five-year federal grant totaling $625,000, which will ensure that the Beacon Coalition program will continue to flourish and grow.
Continued ...
The Beacon Coalition was awarded a $125,000 annual Drug Free Communities Support Program grant for five years from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. - Heard Around Town
- Earl will slow beach project a bit
- New school leader promotes team approach
- Boats, residents to light up lake
- Household hazardous waste collection Sept. 11
- Conner steps down from Pentucket School Committee
- police logs
- District Court
- September 1, 2010
- Back to the books
- Black Dog ship ties up in Newburyport
- Newbury to ban access to PI beach
- Council approves water plant rehab
- Officials, boaters keep close eye on hurricane
- Lago snowboard to be raffled by library
- Two indicted on child rape charges
-
Waves, rescues surge
