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Chatham Fishing Pier: A Photo Essay

Been There Done That· Natural Wonders

17 Jul

Well known for the freshest fish and tastiest lobster rolls in town, Chatham Fishing Pier at the tip of Cape Cod is also an introduction to the frenzy and excitement of a working fishing fleet.

beloved by fisherman and sea captains for centuries, Chatham has preserved its sense of history, despite the decreasing fish stocks and increasing government oversite

With the fleet fishing over 100 miles at sea, there's a relative lull that falls over the pier. Lazy seagulls swoop just above the calm water as a harbinger of the frenzy to come.

The seagulls squawk the arrival of the fleet, and the calm of the early afternoon is replaced by a cacophonous flurry of action and noise. The industrial action mimics a well rehearsed dance routine. Every fisherman and deck hand knows his place.

Returning boats sidle up to the dock with overflowing buckets of fish on ice.  The rusty mechanism tirelessly lifts the buckets, sending the catch of the day cascading down to the waiting workers below. Here they are packed on ice and prepared to be shipped to markets around the world.Once in the boxes, the greedy gulls can no longer filch a free meal.

Although infinitely more polite and patient than the gulls, some 500 harbor seals are waiting at the docks for a handout. While they wait, the put on a show for the visitors gathered above on the observation deck.

The work day is far from over after the catch is offloaded. Gear must be cleaned and readied to repeat the process the following day.

As the sun sets over the pier, the silence returns. Hungry crowds linger to grab a lobster roll or fresh fish from the market, but eventually the parking lot clears and its only the ever present seagulls that remain.

~This post is a part of Budget Travelers Sandbox and Travel Photo Discovery~

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Comments

  1. Mariah @Giggles Galore says

    07/18/2013 at 9:50 am

    Great photos, they truly tell the story of life on the pier.

  2. Shannon Schmid says

    07/18/2013 at 10:06 am

    Wow- I love those pictures too- I agree with Mariah, they really tell a story. WHat a fun place to visit!

  3. Staci says

    07/18/2013 at 10:47 am

    That is awesome! I love the pictures. How fun that must have been for all of you. 

  4. Tamara @ Family Vacation Planning says

    07/18/2013 at 1:13 pm

    I love visiting the fish market/pier at Chatham and watching the seals.  Of course, all those seals are also what attracts the great white sharks to Chatham every year!

  5. Carrie says

    07/18/2013 at 10:33 pm

    Great photos! Seals are such characters…I'm sure they were lots of fun to watch.

  6. Marcia says

    07/20/2013 at 2:23 pm

    Great photo essay. Chatham sounds like the perfect place for seafood lovers.
    Marcia recently posted…Time for Church!My Profile

  7. Jackie Smith says

    07/21/2013 at 10:53 am

    A great photo essay of life on the dock.  Makes me think fish might be on our dinner menu tonight.

  8. Amy | Club Narwhal says

    07/23/2013 at 9:41 am

    Love your photo essay! I would also love to hear about what sort of delicious dinners you make from freshly caught fish 🙂 PS: Found your blog through Travel Photo Thursdays and am excited to explore!
    Amy | Club Narwhal recently posted…MICHIGAN MONDAYS | AN AFTERNOON AT LAKE HURON & LIGHTHOUSE BEACHMy Profile

  9. noel says

    07/23/2013 at 10:15 pm

    I love your photo essays and the nice commentary with it, its very well presented…is that cod that is being caught?
    noel recently posted…Kings Landing Hawaii – Travel Photo Mondays #4My Profile

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