Commercial Fishing Library

Commercial Fishing Library Collection

Thanks to the generous donation of Provincetown fisherman, Alex Brown, Fishing Partnership’s Chatham office now features a special library of commercial fishing books, some of which date back to 1880. This fulfills a unique niche by providing a diverse collection of non-fiction and fiction books within the distinctive category of commercial fishing. All are welcome to stop by the Chatham office to explore the library and imagine the emotions and circumstances of commercial fishermen and their families. Fishing Partnership is grateful for the generosity of Brown’s donation. The library will help increase understanding of commercial fishing practices, fishing industry culture and New England fishing communities. Inspired by Brown’s donation, Fishing Partnership will build this library over time. If you have books on the niche of commercial fishing you would like to donate to the library, please contact Navigator Julia Messersmith in Fishing Partnership’s Chatham office.

Browse Sample Titles from the Commercial Fishing Library

About Fisherman Alex Brown

Born and raised on Long Island, NY, Alexander Brown had his first boat at 12 years old and started clamming and lobstering by age 14. Though his father did not want him to go fishing, he eventually relented on the condition that Alex first learn a different trade. He worked in several boatyards on the North Shore in season and bull-raked for clams in the winters. Over the years, he worked as a crew member on various small boats, on a haul seine crew, and moved to the Cape in 1980 to continue to work on the water. In 1989, he began a shellfish grant in Provincetown before being “talked into growing oysters” in 2004. He was the first person to raise, commercially harvest, and sell Provincetown oysters. Alex sold his ground fish permits in the mid-90’s and finally left the lobster business in 2018. He currently shellfishes and does outboard motor repair under his business name, Victory Fisheries, in Provincetown.

Alex Brown

Alex Brown

Commercial Fisherman Alex Brown (Left) at an annual Provincetown Blessing of the Fleet

 

“Fishing Partnership, especially the Chatham office and staff, have always been there when I have had a problem with something or even have just lent a sympathetic ear to listen. My donation to the Chatham office is my way of saying thank you. Hopefully, the library will inspire other people to become involved in our industry. I led a charmed and lucky life on and around the water and have lived to remember it. That’s what the library represents.”

Request Services

Are you or your spouse a fisherman? Do you come from a fishing family? Or, are you a shoreline worker that lives in a coastal community [that's anyone that has a job that supports fishermen getting their product to market and includes boat mechanics, fish cutters and lumpers to name a few]? We're here to help. Complete the Request for Services form and we'll answer your call.

Become a Friend

Show your support for fishermen, their families and coastal shoreline workers. Sign up as a Friend of Fishing Partnership and you'll receive news on local fisheries and learn what it takes to bring fresh seafood, sustainably caught, from the most highly regulated wild fisheries in the world to your dinner table. Learn what you can do to support fishing communities near you.