New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center Highlights Pivotal Waterfront Moments

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will soon showcase a new exhibit and film highlighting important waterfront history in New Bedford. Those events are the passage of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation Act 50 years ago in 1976, and the New Bedford fishermen's strike in 1985-86.

FHC Programs Director Joe Ritter stopped by Townsquare Sunday to talk about the impact of both issues on fishermen and the fishing industry.

Why the Magnuson-Stevens Act Changed Fishing Forever

"Before the passage of the 200-mile fishing limit, a lot of nations, including the Soviet Union, Japan and Germany, were harvesting huge amounts of fish in large tanker ships, as close as 12 miles off our shore," Ritter said.

The passage of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act pushed the international fishing boundary to 200 miles out, freeing up more fish for harvesting by U.S. fishermen, including those from New Bedford.

From Celebration to Controversy on the Waterfront

At first, fishing families rejoiced about the 200-mile fishing limit, but as years went by, they came to understand that the new law was really all about conservation of the fish stocks. Areas were closed off, regulations limited how much fish you could take, and at some point, more fishermen were cursing the law rather than praising it.

"This exhibit will look at what was going on before the passage of the law, how the bill made its way through Congress, and its implementation and enforcement by the Coast Guard," Ritter said. "New England fishermen took part in a grassroots lobbying effort to help make this bill become law, but as the years went on, many felt the law was too restrictive. Magnuson-Stevens certainly has a mixed legacy."

This exhibit is still in the works, but Ritter said it will likely open in the spring.

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The Legacy of the New Bedford Fishermen’s Strike

The other feature is a film on the bitter New Bedford fishermen's strike, which took place over a three-month period in 1985-86. The New Bedford Fishermen's Strike, 40 Years Later will be shown February 20 at the National Park Visitors Center at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

"This is going to be an hour-long documentary produced by Ian Coss and his team at WGBH," Ritter said. "There will also be an opportunity to hear from members of the industry who were around during the strike, to offer their recollections about that time."

The Fishing Heritage Center is located at 38 Bethel Street in downtown New Bedford. There is free off-street parking adjacent to the building.

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