Bob Campbell, the manager of the Yankee Fishermen’s Cooperative in Seabrook, informed that the fishermen are working with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension to develop new markets closer to home for their locally caught products. He told that the fishermen are trying to reach out to new customers. It will start in February when commercial fishermen will sell Gulf of Maine shrimp at Winter Farmers’ Markets sponsored by Seacoast Eat Local that will encourage Seacoast residents to buy locally-caught seafood.
Campbell also told that the first market will be held at the Exeter Congregational Church in Exeter on Feb. 7, followed by a second fish market at Stratham Town Hall on March 7, he said. Both markets will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. he added that people will definitely be able to pay less than the average $2.99 to $3.99 per pound they pay for fresh Gulf of Maine shrimp at area supermarkets and retail stores.
According to Campbell this new marketing strategy may help the state’s remaining ground fishermen and lobstermen stay in business. The regulations approved by the New England Fishery Management Council have destroyed the state fishing industry. The new regulations were designed to protect some species. Framework 42 reduced ground fishermen’s days at sea to just 26 and forced some to quit.
Campbell informed that many people in the region are very interested in buying locally harvested food products and they want to support area fishermen by buying locally caught seafood. He also opined that at present most of the lobster, cod, haddock, Gulf of Maine shrimp and other seafood caught offshore are transported and sold at fish auctions in Portland, Maine, Boston and Gloucester.
Charlie French, a marine and water resources community and economic development specialist at the UNH Cooperative Extension in Durham, is not very optimistic about this new market that could help fishermen. He said that if New Hampshire commercial fishermen and lobstermen are able to brand their products as “Gulf of Maine shrimp” and “Gulf of Maine lobster,” they could receive as much as 25 cents to 50 cents more per pound than if they just continue to sell their catch to the fish auctions in Boston and Gloucester.
