Ocracoke watermen are clammers, crabbers,
oystermen and both commercial and recreational fishermen. Together they
manage Ocracoke’s only fish house, institute restoration projects,
provide educational outreach, conduct research and is a collective voice
in an industry that is often misrepresented to the public.
 |
|
photo credit B. Garrity-Blake |
Since Ocracoke Island was first settled in the early 1700’s, fishing
put food on the table. That still remains the focus today - fresh, local
seafood caught by hand. Caught Today the Traditional Way.
In February of 2008, NC Sea Grant asked the watermen what words best
described themselves – tradition, by hand (no mechanical
harvest), fresh, local and environmentally conscious.
Sustainability, is defined as: A) a practice that sustains a given
condition, such as economic growth or a human population, without
destroying or depleting natural resources, polluting the environment,
etc. B) governed, maintained by, or produced as a result of sustainable
practices.
Ocracoke Watermen understand the interdependence of a healthy
environment, involvement of community and the local economy.
In 2006, island watermen and a 300 year old maritime heritage faced
an end when the last fish house was closed and put up for sale. Today
the fish house is owned by a community non-profit . Become a supporter
of OWWA and learn more about island fishermen, the effort to save the
fish house, Ocracoke’s maritime heritage, educational outreach, research
and restoration.