Go — now! — to sign up for Cape Ann Fresh Catch. Fresh fish, 12 weeks, $180 half share/$360 full from the northern shores of Boston!
Other spectacular features we can share with you… which came to us this morning from Niaz Dorry, an organizer for the CSF:
Cape Ann Fresh Catch is a collaboration of shore-side residents and the local fishing community. Members give the fishing community financial support in advance of the season, and in turn the fishermen provide a weekly share of seafood during the harvesting season to shareholders — just like a regular ole CSA.
What you will get: a variety of haddock, cod, flounder, hake, dabs, grey sole, monkfish, Pollock, and redfish – and possibly other seafood such as clams, lobsters and scallops. (!!!) The fish will be dressed (cleaned and gutted, NOT filleted), and packed on ice. A 12-week subscription to our summer CSF will start in early June.
In traditional markets fishermen are forced to chase whatever species is fetching the highest price that week. By taking a mix off these species at the same price week-to-week (about $3/lb), fishermen are able to fish areas that are not stressed by the rest of the fleet, and give species and ecosystems time to recover and replenish.
This cooperative system also keeps fishermen safer because they don’t have to fight the weather to go offshore for a certain species; if the weather is dangerous, they can stay close to shore and catch only what the CSF needs that week. At the same time, shareholders are guaranteed the freshest, highest quality fish caught. The fish caught for the CSF will never be old or frozen, and it will always come from fishermen who believe in working with the ocean and the community.
Where you can get your hands on this share: Organizers are trying to get enough people in Cambridge/Boston interested so they can have a drop-off in the city, possibly at a farmers’ market — the CSF is running the same months as your typical veggie CSA.
It’s small and local, because: There is an essential quality to seafood that you only get when it’s harvested locally and delivered to you just hours out of the ocean. The boats they’re using are family-owned — which means they’re paying attention to the way fish is caught and focusing on strengthening our local food community, economy, and the sustainability of the ecosystem. The long-term health and abundance of the Gulf of Maine are important to all of us. (Read Bottomfeeder and you will understand this in a very visceral way.)
Apply?? Here!