Working Waterfront Festival

The Working Waterfront Festival

Celebrating Commercial Fishing — America's Oldest Industry

Narrative Stage and Film Descriptions

SATURDAY

12:45
Innovations in Fisheries Science
Fisheries scientists share some of their cutting edge research
2:00
Passing it On: Tradition and Change in Fishing Family Businesses
Many boats and shoreside businesses are family owned and operated. With each new generation, traditions are passed on and new ideas are incorporated
2:45
From Ship to Shore to Satellites
Panelists discuss the impact of changes in communications technology
3:30
When Gloria, Carol and Irene Came Calling: Hurricane Stories
Fishermen and others share stories about storms at sea and on shore.
4:00
Fishing in the Old Country
Many New England fishermen fished in the "old country" before coming to the United States. Fishermen who emigrated from Portugal, Norway and other parts recall fishing in the old country

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SUNDAY

Narrative Stage (Fisherman's Wharf)

1:15
Wooden Ships & Iron Men
Retired fishermen reminisce about fishing in the old days
2:00
Honoring the Innovators
Panelists talk about inventions which revolutionized the industry
3:15
Dead Reckoning to GPS: Changes in Navigation Technology
Panelists talk about how navigation has evolved through the decades
4:00
Before and After Catch Shares
Panelists discuss the impact of these regulations which were adopted in May of 2010 and currently govern the groundfishing industry in the northeast

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Dock-u-mentaries Film Tent (Fisherman's Wharf)

Corinthian - Xavier-Millenium Productions
The story of a Gloucester fishing schooner lost at sea off Nova Scotia. Six fishermen, more than half the crew, were lost. The story is told through the log book of one young survivor. Features original music from Souls of the Sea.
Downeast Lobsterman: Revisiting the 1950's When Wood Was the Way
See Maine's lobster fishing through the seasonal day-to-day life and work of one lobsterman, Pat Moore, of Five Islands, during the late 1950s. The video features memories of a friend and lobsterman Billy Plummer, III, of Five Islands, and reflections of a folklorist and musician, Bill Bonyun of Westport.
Festivals and Celebrations Past & Present
Slide show of historic and contemporary photographs of New Bedford fishing community celebrations
Gloucester's Adventure: An American Story
The saga of Gloucester's "Grand Old Lady," the schooner Adventure. Built in 1926, she was one of the last American dory trawlers and is a National Historic Landmark.
It's the Maine Sardines
Young herring are called sardines and in 1949, Maine was the sardine capital of the world. Every part of the process from catching and salting to canning and cooking are profiled.
Lumping and Cutting
Historic and contemporary images of lumping (unloading fish) and cutting (fish processing)
Port of New Bedford Then and Now
A Narrated slide show by Phil Mello, featuring black and white and color slide photographs of the fleet in the past, an in-depth look at the swordfish industry here in New Bedford in the late 70's early 80's and a comparisons of today's modern fleet.
Ruthie B., Ruthie B.
The story of the Bill and Ruthie Blount, the last fishing family on Nantucket: their struggles to stay afloat financially, Bill's determination to pursue a career that gives him satisfaction if not monetary rewards, Ruth's worries over being in debt, and her efforts to contribute to the family's income.
Still Standing: Trap Fishing in America
We follow a father and son through one weir fishing season in Chatham, MA as they contemplate whether they can continue this traditional way of life amid the challenges of a changing world.
Storm Warriors - Third Wave Films
Through interviews, dramatic recreations and historic footage, this film presents the history of the U.S. Life Saving Service: America's First Coast Guard.
Trap Day
A documentary about the annual midwinter ritual of setting lobster traps off Monhegan, Maine.
Tugboat
Documentary about the Clyde B. Holmes, the last commercially-operated steam screw tugboat.

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