Fresh Catch

In the last three decades, declining fish stocks, rising fuel prices, and the increased regulation of the fishing industry have made it harder for small fishermen to earn a living from the sea. Along the Eastern seabord, hundreds of ports have shut down, leaving fishing communities in peril.

But with just twelve fishermen, the tiny town of Port Clyde, Maine is now the state’s second largest groundfishing port. The fleet is still shrimping in the winter and catching groundfish during the summer. But in order to survive, they’re changing the way they fish and do business. Producer Willa Kammerer - former Word of Mouth intern - brings us their story.

Willa produced her piece at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies. Tonight, dozens of Salt students will be presenting their work at Salt’s new headquarters in Portland, Maine.

(Photo by Willa Kammerer)