Leesa Cobb
Voices from POORT
POORT (Port Orford Ocean Resource Team) supports its mission of long term sustainability of ocean resources and community through various initiatives. These include the Blue Water Task Force which tests water quality monthly as well as the Port Orford Community Stewardship Area that has identified traditional fishing grounds. They also support many scientific efforts such as the Rockfish Tagging Project and the Dive Survey and Seaweed Collection. Members of the POORT provide interviews and discuss information that is important to the unique small community of Port Orford in southern Oregon. Smaller boats and a unique geography contribute to the charm and characteristics of this community. Learn about fishing from Port Orford and other activities surrounding this unique community. For more information on POORT, check out their website at www.oceanresourcetean.org.
Leesa Cobb was interviewed by Sarah Calhoun in Port Orford, Oregon, on June 23, 2014 as part of the Voices from POORT (Port Orford Ocean Resource Team) project. Leesa discusses her involvement in the fishing industry after marrying a second-generation fisherman and becoming politically involved the Pacific Fishery Management Council when the social impacts of catch share management became apparent to her. She reflects on the highs and lows of salmon fishing and the fishing industry, including economic challenges and regulatory changes that have marginalized small-scale fishing communities like Port Orford. She highlights the role that fishermen's wives play in supporting and managing the business, and describes the unique social dynamics of Port Orford's small boat fishing community, contrasting it with other fishing ports. Leesa shares insights on the integration of family into the fishing business, the importance of resilience in coastal economies, and her hopes for the future of fishing. She advises young women considering a life in fishing to approach it as a business, emphasizing the need for financial management and adaptability in a changing industry.
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