Minding Your Business

by Amy Tagliaferri

The Women of Fishing Families

See the Boot, Know the Cause!

Chatham

www.womenoffishingfamilies.org

Karen@WomenOfFishingFamilies.org

The most courageous things begin with the simplest thoughts. Mothers nurture and fulfill needs with action. Karen Murdoch, the wife of a Chatham fisherman saw that the fishing industry was in transition, and that the changes would soon affect her family’s everyday life.  Other women in this challenging industry agreed. They rallied together and saw that there was strength in numbers.

“The Women Of Fishing Families (or WOFF) began almost two years ago with a small group of us who felt that there was a need for more direct family support in the industry. While other organizations work toward fisheries policy and sustainable fishing- which is essential to the future of fishing- the WOFF is proud to be an independent non-profit which donates all proceeds directly to the fishing families of Cape Cod.”

 The organization is made up of mighty “women who are dedicated to supporting Cape Cod fishing families, each other and the greater fishing community by providing an active support network, community assistance funds and fisheries education.”  Their mission statement segued nicely into the Chatham Maritime Festival.  What better way to educate the community and celebrate the families of the fishing community!

Saturday, May 10^th marks the date of the second Maritime Festival that the WOFF is putting together.  The event itself has struggled with an identity.  There was a delightful Chatham Chamber of Commerce event called Seafest for many years in the fall, and the Chatham Merchants Association held a Spring Fling that was popular for two decades.  An idea was formed to combine the two events a few years ago. May was the month chosen because Spring Fling always did well then and because government regulations called for a limited fishing area in May which made for the availability of fishermen for the fishing contests or games that were to be a centerpiece of the festival.   The WOFF has given new energy to the festival and brought fishing families together to celebrate this age old occupation in all its glory, and to promote their cause. The WOFF is “an association who supports fishing families …while respecting and encouraging all fishing gear types in the community. When you see the pink fishing boot, you can be sure the money donated into the boot will go directly back to the fishing families in the Cape Cod area.” 

Appropriately the day kicks off with a blessing of the fleet “in hopes of protecting them from dangers of the sea and to ensure good catches” at 9:30 a.m. at the Fish Pier. In the town hall parking lot the festival offers a myriad of children’s activities that include a puppet show, storytelling, crafts, and music, the Fishermen’s Olympics with shucking, filleting, harpoon tossing and more, educational groups and vendor’s booths, and of course lots of food-seafood!  It all ends with a block party complete with a silent auction, a band and a fish fry. (The CMA’s Spring Fling continues to be a part of the day as local businesses all plan on celebrating with raffles, refreshments and entertainment up and down the Main Street and beyond! Watch for the Chronicle’s supplement next week with a complete list of events!)

            “All, yes ALL proceeds (See the Boot, Know the Cause!) will go directly to supporting fishing families on Cape Cod, and the WOFF hopes to be able to award a child of a local fishing family a scholarship at this year’s graduation! If anyone would like to contribute either as a volunteer or with a donation please contact us.”  

5/1/08