The Andrea Gail / Perfect Storm page from UFiSH

UFiSH "Andrea Gail" Page

On November 4, 1991 a major storm, referred to as the "Perfect Storm" (as chronicled in the book of the same name by Sebastian Junger), or, the "Halloween Nor'Easter" harrassed boats from Nova Scotia down to the New Jersey coast. The 70' longliner Andrea Gail went down in that storm and with her went the crew of swordfishermen David Sullivan and Robert "Bobby" Shatford of Gloucester, William "Billy" Tyne, Dale Murphy and Michael Moran of Bradenton Beach, Fla.and Alfred Pierre of New York City. While UFish is mostly against the practice of longlining due to it's indescriminent method which kills many juvenile fish, sharks and other overfished species, we still recognize the hard life of work & risk these men endure to bring swordfish steaks to the voracious consumer seafood market.

... In these pages are links & pictures related to the Andrea Gail, Swordfishing, Longlining, Glouchester MA & Nova Scotia ...

Down to the Sea in Ships ... Gloucester Mass	The Andrea Gail sailed from this historic seaport... Visit this site to learn more about the city, it's rich fishing past, a glossary on Seaman's terms, and lots about all the ships which have been lost at sea since the early 1800's to modern times. Lots of interesting pages, stories, pictures & links... A must see site...
Nova Scotia Fishermen and Mariners Site	Nova Scotia is closest to the Grand Banks where a wealth of sowrdfishing and other ground-stock fishing occurs. This site is chock full of fishing information for both commercial and private interests...
Virtual Cape Ann	Cape Ann is comprised of the communities of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea. You will find lots of local flavor and information on these Massechusset's fishing towns...
The Glouchester Guide	Fom the book oif the same name from Joseph E. Garland... "...as we observe the passage of 375 years since Gloucester's settlement in 1623 by a ragtag crew of fishermen from Dorchester, England, we face the onrushing pace of the millenial urgency that grips the globe. But I decline to be stampeded. Strolls and rambles are in shorter supply and more demand than ever. —Joe Garland, 1998"
Gorton's	Yup those same people who make fishsticks have a web-site from their homeport of Glouchester. Nice site with Seafaring Tales, the story of the Company's origins, Cookbook & Catch of the day Recipes, Merchandise & a thorough Fish Glossary to list a few of their highlights...
http://www.aquanet.com/showcase/blockis/sword1.htm

UFiSH on the Swordfish Boycott / Longlining Debate

In 1998, the Year of the Ocean, extra attention has been focused on the practice of longline fishing which primarily targets palegic species such as Tuna and, very much so, the Swordfish. The undisputed fact is, the average weight of the swordfish being caught today is under 90 pounds while in the 60's it was over 300 pounds, the concern is real. Strict regulations are in place and perhaps that alone will help the stock recover, but, many believe that it's not enough and we need to severly curb our consumption and harvesting of this species. A boycott was begun which asks consumers to stop eating swordfish; restaurants, chefs & retailers to stop serving it. UFiSH believes that indescriminate fishing is the nature of commercial fishing by both net and longline, but, the death of many juvenile palegic fish, sharks (most on the brink of collapse), through longlining specifically, can be limited further. Due to extended pressure, stricter regulations have been put into place which has decreased the length of the lines and the time they can soak them unattended. Regulation & intervention are necessary, but, like other laws and rules, they too can go too far or be based on more emotion than fact. To help better understand the facts and enlighten those who would stand on either side of the fence, UFiSH lists the sites & pages we've researched on this issue for you to form your own, educated, opinion...

PRO / Continue to Longline & Eat Swordfish

CON / Stop Longlining & Eating Swordfish

New Jersey/Fish Net -- "'A consumer campaign that missed by a mile"... Pages noting why the current Swordfish boycott is not productive & only hurts the North Atlantic fishermen & consumers due to 2/3rds of Swordfish coming from well managed Pacific stocks & fisherman...

FishUnlimited -- While we feel the pain commercial long-line fishermen go through, as recreational fisshermen we cannot condone the practice of indescriment fishing with over 20 miles of hooks. One of FishUnlimited's goals is aimed at trying to stop this practice along with multiple ways of improving habitat & the environment...

National Fisheries Institue -- The Fish & Seafood Trade Association's page on why the Swordfish boycott hurts more than it helps. It does recognize the issues of the depleted stock, but, offers more focus on why it's a concern for fish from non-compliant countries and not US & Canadian fisherman who have taken strides at conservation...

Ocean Wildlife Campaign -- The Ocean Wildlife Campaign is a coalition of five conservation groups: The National Audubon Society, National Coalition for Marine Conservation, Natural Resources Defense Council, New England Aquarium, Wildlife Conservation Society, and World Wildlife Fund's Endangered Seas Campaign...

Recreational Fishing Alliance -- ...

A Word from the Chefs

Swordfish Education & Awareness

PETA -- UFiSH personally is against Peta's severe, practically militant, atttude towards fishing as a whole, but, they doi have a voice on this... NOTE: Site Unknown - Only People Eating Tasty Animals located...