Inside Mystic Seaport - Point Judith Fishing Fleet

Explore the lives and stories of Point Judith's hard-working fishermen in this new addition to Mystic Seaport's signature exhibition, Voyages: Stories of America and the Sea. Fishing communities ar...

Explore the lives and stories of Point Judith's hard-working fishermen in this new addition to Mystic Seaport's signature exhibition, Voyages: Stories of America and the Sea.
Fishing communities around the country face changing times that threaten their livelihood. Like many, the Point Judith fleet in Rhode Island struggles with increased government regulations, unpredictable markets, and the financial burdens of a shifting economy. The fragile balance also suffers from a decline in support facilities and a lack of young people entering the industry.

Yet the Point Judith fishermen, known for their adaptability, survive. Located on the westernmost tip of Narragansett Bay, where the boundaries of cold- and warm-water fish meet, they target multiple species. Many vessels hold a variety of licenses, and depending on catch limits, seasonality, and market prices, they can change gear and equipment as necessary. Almost all methods of fishing are still employed within this single port.

There are many ways to preserve our fisheries heritage. In 2005, Mystic Seaport began restoration of Point Judith's Roann, one of the last wooden commercial fishing vessels of her kind. Markham Starr, a photographer and shipwright who worked on the Roann project, recognized a vanishing legacy and sought to capture the spirit of these men and women for whom fishing is more than a job; it is a way of life.

Learn more about the life of a New England fisherman through the exhibit's photographs and slideshow.