Jared Bennett, 29 years old at the time of the interview, is owner-operator of the F/V White Cap, a gillnet vessel, with his younger brother and a friend, going on 36-hour fishing trips targeting monkfish, skates, and dogfish out of Chatham and Harwichport, MA. Jared bought his gillnet license and started fishing without any prior experience as a deckhand. 

Scope and Content Note

In his interview, Jared talks about getting involved in the management of the groundfish sector, combatting the increasing costs of living on Cape Cod, and the difficulty of finding crew. Jared talks about how his interest in fishing was influenced by his background in boat building, but as his responsibilities grew, he began taking fishing more seriously as his primary source of income. Jared says that the expensive nature of the business, demanding lifestyle, high cost of living, housing prices, and limited dock space in Chatham contribute to the lack of young people in the industry. Despite these challenges, Jared says that he remains dedicated to his fishing career, adapting to industry dynamics. He mentions the overall fishing quota and the need to avoid exceeding it, particularly during wintertime when catching skates is limited to 500 pounds per trip. He highlights the sacrifices he has to make, such as missing out on summer activities, but also appreciates the flexibility and quality time he gets to spend with his daughter during the winter season. Jared discusses the financial aspects of his fishing business, including purchasing permits and financing his boat. He acknowledges the support he received from his father and the high costs involved in entering the fishing industry. 

When asked about the future, Jared focuses on shorter-term plans, considering the potential impact of issues like wind farms and potential closures due to right whale protections on his fishing activities. He expresses his desire to continue fishing as long as he remains passionate about it. Jared emphasizes the aspects he loves about his career, such as being on the water, being his own boss, and providing fresh-caught fish to people. He advises young people interested in fishing to pursue it, recommending reputable boats to work on, and encourages aspiring boat owners to do their homework and start on a good boat.