New names, new faces, new ideas.

At the end of week one, I have met many new people in this industry and they are all wise and eager to help promote fresh and local seafood in their own way.

Starting at Seaport Fish market in Rye, Richie Pettigrew (below) was very welcoming and eager to help promote the selling of locally caught fish.  In the displays of fish for sale in the market you can see red discs with the NH Fresh & Local logo proudly shown.  This allows buyers to clearly see what they can buy that supports to local industry.  Richie's employees were also seen wearing NH Fresh & Local T-shirts advertising the brand, which they were eager to talk about and promote. I am learning very quickly how the fishing industry is in need of help. With 98% of the daily catch being exported before it even reaches local markets, the fishermen are not earning as much as they could be if the catch were kept local.  Therefore, the industry depends on the community to buy the local fish. Meaning the public must be aware of where and how to buy local, and open to try new species of fish.  Learning this and seeing Pettigrew's eager-ness to help made me anxious to get on board with this N.H. Fresh & Local Seafood campaign to provide the community with the necessary tools and information to buy local seafood to support our fishermen.

Rich Pettigrew, owner of Seaport Fish in Rye, NH. image source: http://www.seacoastonline.com/

I was also able to make a trip down to Seabrook, NH with Fisheries Extension Specialist, Erik Chapman, to meet the men of the Yankee Fisherman's Cooperative.  The coop is also making efforts to promote buying local, and is doing what they can to try and keep their fish in local markets.  Seeing the men at work and being able to meet them definitely makes one want to buy the local fish to support them.  I am definitely eager to be involved in this campaign and see how I can help the people I am meeting.