A new podcast, "Catching the Codfather," will examine the rise and fall of Carlos Rafael, a New Bedford fishing magnate known as the “Codfather,” along with the federal investigation that led to his downfall a decade ago.
Set to premiere on Feb. 11, the six-part limited series traces Rafael’s ascent from the 1970s onward, beginning with disputes over international fishing waters that reshaped the New England fishing industry. The series explores how increased regulation, environmental pressures, and economic forces set the stage for what prosecutors later described as one of the most extensive fishing fraud schemes in U.S. history.
“The Codfather story presents a complicated case where food, culture, the environment, and the lives of working people all collide,” said lead producer and host Ian Coss. “At a time when the very idea of ‘government regulation’ is highly polarized, my hope is that this series will make listeners question their own assumptions. Was Carlos Rafael justified in breaking the law? Has government regulation of fishing caused more harm than good? And who is ultimately responsible for the collapse of this legendary industry?”
"Catching the Codfather" is the latest season of GBH News’ "The Big Dig" podcast. It is produced by non-profit public media newsroom GBH News in partnership with PRX, a nonprofit web-based platform for digital distribution, review, and licensing of radio programs.
“The story of Carlos Rafael is deeply rooted in the history and politics of New England’s vital fishing industry, and it showcases the profound impact that one man’s actions can have on an entire ecosystem,” said Devin Maverick Robins, managing director of podcasts at GBH. “Thanks to the skillful work of Ian and the GBH podcast team, Catching The Codfather offers a substantial look at a one-of-a-kind personality whose reach extended far beyond his community.”
New episodes will be released weekly starting Feb. 11. The podcast will be available for free across major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and NPR One, as well as on the GBH News website. Full video versions of the episodes will also be available on the GBH News YouTube channel. A public radio broadcast version will be distributed to stations nationwide.
