Calendar

VIRTUAL PANEL DISCUSSION
Women in Fisheries Science – Then and Now. Five women will share their experiences working in the field of fisheries science. Panelists include pioneering scientists Linda Depres (the first female chief scientist on bottom trawl surveys at NOAA), Pat Gerrior (New Bedford’s first female port director) and three current graduate students from SMAST: Alison Frey, Aubrey Ellertson Church, and Patricia Perez. All of these women are featured in the Center’s Women’s Work exhibit. The program will be presented via ZOOM.  Click the link to join the meeting or visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85349432813.

This program is part of our Women’s Work project, a year-long exploration of the roles of women in the fishing community and is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Women’s Fisheries Network, the Mass Cultural Council, and the Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, and Westport  Cultural Councils.

IN PERSON FILM SCREENING at the Center

A Fish Story is the tale of two women who lead their communities in a battle for control of the ocean. Angela Sanfilippo of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and Shareen Davis of Chatham, Massachusetts (both of whom are featured in the Center’s Women’s Work exhibit) were born into fishing families and married men who continue to make a living from the sea. Fishing defines who they are and has sustained their communities for generations. But their way of life is threatened when a powerful coalition of national environmental groups file a lawsuit that could put hundreds of fishermen out of business. Three hundred years of fishing tradition and the health of the ocean hangs in the balance. The film will be shown at the Center (38 Bethel Street, New Bedford).  Doors open at 6:30.  Screening is free of charge.  Masks required.  Seating limited to 25 people.

In the 1970s, enormous international fishing fleets decimated the waters off New England leaving local fishermen struggling to survive in the wake of this environmental disaster. Decades later, New England fishermen and environmentalist remain locked in an intense battle over the current health and future management of the ocean. And with the success of a broad sweeping lawsuit filed in 2000, environmentalists are demanding radical new conservation measures that could spell disaster for New England fishermen and their communities. Angela and Shareen find themselves at the center of this political storm as they struggle to save both fish and fishermen. Delving into the behind-the-scenes world of politicians, environmentalists, journalists, and fishermen, A Fish Story confronts the hard choices faced when human needs and those of the environment collide.

This program is part of our Women’s Work project, a year-long exploration of the roles of women in the fishing community and is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Women’s Fisheries Network, the Mass Cultural Council, and the Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, and Westport  Cultural Councils.

Tuesday, November 23, 2021 – 12:00 p.m.
VIRTUAL TALK
Fisherwomen: An Illustrated Talk by award winning Scottish photographer Craig Easton, about his project Fisherwomen that chronicles the work of the “herring lassies” of the past and the women who work in Scotland’s fish processing today. Easton’s work was recently featured in New Bedford as part of DATMA’s Harvester’s of the Deep. The program will be presented via ZOOM.  Join the zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88422651769

This program is part of our Women’s Work project, a year-long exploration of the roles of women in the fishing community and is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Women’s Fisheries Network, the Mass Cultural Council, and the Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, and Westport  Cultural Councils.

December 4, 2021 • 12-5 PM

The FHC is a stop on Downtown New Bedford’s Holiday Stroll – come in to enjoy some Swedish Fish and hot cocoa, take pictures with Salty Santa, or make an ocean-themed holiday ornament! You’ll also enjoy 10% off in our Gift Shop – pick up a unique item crafted by a local artisan or fishing family member, or perhaps a book or two… there’s something for everyone!

Check out dNB’s website for additional information about the overall event.

AHA! Night

December 9, 2021 • 5-8 PM

The Center is open free of charge. Take 10% off in our Gift Shop, which offers unique items created by local artisans and fishing family members, as well as cookbooks, kid’s books, books about fishing, CDs, DVDs, and more!

December 17, 2021 • 7 PM • Zoom

Directed by Andres Camacho, Open Line (2019) explores Pebble Mine and the Bristol Bay salmon fishery. It features the story of Melanie Brown, Yupik fisherwoman who has been set net fishing on Bristol Bay for over forty years. Melanie Brown and Andres Camacho will participate in a post-film discussion. The program will be presented via ZOOM. Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89415812320

Can She Bait a Line? An Illustrated Talk

February 10, 2022 • 12:00 Noon • Virtual (Zoom)

The unsung heroes of Northeast England’s fishing communities – an illustrated talk by Katrina Porteous, a historian and poet who has documented the lives of fishermen and women on the Northumberland coast. This program will be presented via ZOOM and is part of a new occasional series called Mid-Day Mug Up. Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86095216612

This presentation will be recorded. The recording will be available on YouTube and streamed on ZOOM at 7 PM on Feb. 10 for AHA! Night. Link for evening stream: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88919757856

Katrina Porteous was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, studied History at Cambridge, and has lived on the Northumberland coast for over 30 years, recording the lives of fishermen and women. Her oral history publications include The Bonny Fisher Lad, and her academic papers include Bednelfysch and Iseland Fish, co-authored with Dr Adrian Osler (Mariner’s Mirror, 96: 1, 2010). Her poetry, published by Bloodaxe Books in collections such as The Lost Music and Two Countries, won a Cholmondeley Award from the Society of Authors in 2021. Katrina is a frequent speaker on BBC national radio. www.katrinaporteous.co.uk

February AHA! Night

February 10, 2022 •  5-8 PM • Hybrid

The Center will be open free of charge. At 7 PM we are screening a recording of Katrina’ Porteous’ lecture “Can She Bait a Line?” You can also tune in from home with this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88919757856 

The Center’s Gift Shop will also be open with 10% off for your Valentine’s shopping. There’s something special for every Valentine: jewelry, dishware, books, and cards – all handmade by local artisans and fishing community members!

February Dock-U-Mentaries: Double Feature

February 18, 2022 • 7:00 PM • In-Person

Towed in a Hole (1932) and Tugboat Annie (1933)

In this special double feature, we will be showing two films from the 1930s: “Towed in a Hole” (1932) starring Laurel and Hardy follows the shenanigans of successful fishmongers Stan and Ollie as they try their hand at becoming fishermen – but they soon learn making a boat seaworthy isn’t as easy a task as they think. (20 min runtime)

“Tugboat Annie” (1933) features Marie Dressler as Annie, a skipper on the tug Narcissus. Annie steers through the Pacific Northwest waters and through troubles with her hard-working, adoring son Alec (Robert Young) and her hapless, boozing husband Terry (Wallace Beery). There are plenty of laughs, but also lots of familial strife, until life-threatening danger at sea brings out the best in Terry… and puts everyone’s priorities in order. (86 min runtime)

Seating will be limited to 25. Masks are required. Doors open at 6:30 PM.

Lobster Days

Thursday Feb 24 & Friday Feb 25, 2022
11-3 • In Person (Timed Entry) • Free