The more things change
By Jessica Hathaway
I used to be in charge of reviewing the old bound volumes of the magazine to put together the Fishing Back When section. I remember setting out to find some parallels in stories from 10, 30 and 50 years ago with whatever was happening in fishing’s current events. I soon learned it wasn’t that hard. Many of the battles the industry fights are perennial. Moreover, fleets in different parts of the country are often fighting similar battles, whether they are aware of it or not.
Of course, it’s considerably easier to be aware these days, if you choose to be. Social media platforms offer to keep us in touch with those of common interests from around the globe at the click of a key. There are also many national organizations that aim to connect disparate segments of the U.S. commercial fishing industry.
At press time, most of those groups (and those of us who cover them) were abuzz about the Magnuson-Stevens Act reauthorization. Alaska Rep. Don Young’s bill has plenty of traction in the House, but its fate in the Senate is less certain. It seems we are destined to discuss this 10-year renewal on an annual basis.
I’m coming up on my own 10-year renewal with NF, and I’m still one of the most junior people on staff. That says a lot about the magazine, yes. But I believe it says even more about this industry. As many of our online readers know, our Senior Editor Linc Bedrosian bid us adieu this month. I worked with Linc for almost 10 years. It’s humbling to consider that in tenure, I am where he was when I started. It seems like I just got here. Linc sometimes couldn’t believe he had been here long enough to leave a 20-year legacy. Not many people stick to anything for 20 years these days. Linc was committed to his work because he loves the industry. He said this is the best job he’s ever had. I know that was in no small part because there is an allure to this work we do as journalists that thrives on your passion for what you do. (Read Linc’s farewell on the Mixed Catch blog on our website.)
One of NF’s main missions is to keep our readers informed and connected to each other by sharing your stories and your passion. This was one of Linc’s many talents. (He’s also an accomplished musician, the proof of which can be found in a video or two on our YouTube channel.) It’s a legacy I hope to continue. My goal is to keep finding new ways to share your stories — in these pages, online, and through our Fish eNews email newsletter, reaching broader audiences to show more Americans where their food comes from and inspire more of you to speak up for your fellow fishermen. If we can educate even a fraction of the fish-buying public about who you are and what makes this industry unique, strong and worth preserving, we will be fortified for the next fight, wherever it is.
