Andrew Arnett, 26 years old at the time of the interview, is a captain of Jonah crab and scallop boats in New Bedford, MA. He has been fishing since age 16 and running boats since age 22. As one of the youngest captains in the fleet, he sees himself as one of a select few who are keeping fishing heritage alive.

Scope and Content Note

In his interview, Andrew talks about his decision to leave high school to fish full-time, how he transitioned from deckhand to captain, and why he sees a bright future in smaller boats with low overhead. He describes his journey from inshore fishing to going offshore on the Captain Bligh for four years, then working with another captain to have more family time when expecting his first child. Andrew discusses the challenges and rewards of being a captain, including the strong connection he feels to the sea, marine life, and the competitive nature of the industry. He also talks about the changing dynamics of crabbing and the need for better collaboration and responsible fishing practices in the industry. He mentions how illegal activities by some fishermen negatively affect the entire sector and stresses the importance of collective responsibility. He talks about the role of observers and how some fishermen resist them due to the associated costs, while others appreciate their presence for data collection. Andrew emphasizes the need for more community involvement, investment, and sacrifices to ensure a sustainable future for fishing. He also shares insights into the qualities that distinguish successful fishermen, such as having a wild and spunky side, being physically and mentally prepared for the demanding job, and getting along well with their crew. 

“There’s not many young guys up here. I’ve gotten to know all of them… My whole crew is under the age of—I think Tyler’s the oldest, and he’s like thirty-one. Maybe he’s only thirty. Ricky’s twenty-eight. Brandon’s twenty-two. I’m twenty-six. It’s like a second family. You’re only as good as your crew, whether you’re scalloping, you're lobstering, you’re dragging. Your guys are the ones shucking scallops. Your guys are the ones stacking traps. Your guys are the ones culling through the crabs. You can’t do it all by yourself. It’s a huge, huge team effort. We all go have a drink together when we come in. It’s like our religious thing. I try to bring young guys in all the time. If I need a guy for a transit trip, I’ll take a half-share guy just to get his feet wet and get him out there. If they do good, I’ll get him on a boat with one of my friends. But not very many people make it. I’ve seen a lot of young kids fall to pieces, completely to pieces. It’s not for everybody. If anything, a select few.”

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