CAPE MAY — The crew of the Barbara-Pauline offloaded 17,000 pounds of scallops, stored like jewelry in soft cloth bags. And for the Port of Cape May, they might as well be white gold.
New Jersey’s fisheries were ranked 11th in total value nationwide at $152 million in 2014. The Port of Cape May, with its valuable scallop fishery, is responsible for much of that.
The Barbara Pauline made its quota in eight days at sea, earning each crew member as much as $15,000.
But it’s not easy money. Commercial fishing is one of America’s most dangerous jobs.
Statistically, fishermen are far more likely to die on the job than those in virtually any other profession.
