Since the nineteenth century, a tradition of sport fishing has existed alongside the centuries-old traditions of harvesting fish for subsistence and commercial purposes. Local commercial harvesters worked as fishing guides, earning extra income by taking paying guests—typically from New York City—to historically productive fishing areas on Long Island and in the Catskills, the Finger Lakes region, and the Adirondacks.
Long Island
From the Waterfront
…Over the following weeks, I received calls
from FEMA and the National Park Service,
who wanted to see the bungalows and the
bay houses that survived. The staff of these
large agencies were as curious as I was as to
why the bungalows showed little damage.
From that point on, they recommended that
residents begin planting beach grass to create
dunes, a scene we saw happening throughout
coastal communities in the following months.
From the Waterfront
Over the years, I have met some amazing photographers and artists who, like myself, are captivated with the South Shore bay houses of Long Island. One of those people was artist Dan Pollera, who passed away in March 2022….Another artist who we admire is Kathy Herzy of West Islip, who has painted numerous scenes of traditional maritime activities, including clamming, birdwatching, waterfowl scenes, and traditional boats and fish houses.
View from the Waterfront
Fishermen and boaters have a long history
of contending with Mother Nature. Alongside
them are boat builders and boatyard owners,
who are entrusted with protecting their customers’
vessels, recreational and commercial
alike. After Superstorm Sandy there may be
some important lessons to be learned from
these tradition bearers.
From the Waterfront
The boatyard has a long and impressive history, as one of the first to cater to recreational fishermen and boaters in this “Five Towns” community on Long Island’s South Shore….The architecture of boatyards is somewhat traditional, but there are unique structures
found in each one.
From the Waterfront
On Long Island, many baymen earned extra money on the side, bringing booze from offshore boats that traveled from the West Indies to the waters offLong Beach. Their small garveys and skiffs were difficult to detect, especially at night, and waiting cars and trucks quickly collected the barrels and boxes of imported liquor.
From the Waterfront
Long Island and its beaches is seen as a haven during the flu epidemic of 1917 and the COVID-19 Pandemic.
From the Waterfront
Beginning in the 1960’s, water taxis were at work, ferrying people to locations within the harbors and ports of Long Island. Captains and crew share their occupational experiences in this column.
From the Waterfront
The columnist, Nancy Solomon, reflects on the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and restaurant closure on Long Island fishermen and baymen.
From the Waterfront
Students in Freeport, New York examine their waterfront community in 2015-16 after Superstorm Sandy had affected local maritime traditions.
From the Waterfront
A portrait if storyteller and fisherman, Tony Sougstad, who passed away in 2019.
From the Waterfront
Fieldwork with Long Island architects and planners provides insight into problems facing waterfront homeowners due to climate change.
From the Waterfront
Portraits of Long Island decoy carvers and hunters.
At Work in the Garden of Eat and Be Eaten
A poem by Fisher Poet, Chuck Tekula
Fishing partners: Remembering Cory Weyant
A remembrance about Cory Weyant, Long Island Bayman/fisherman who was a frequent speaker to school groups. A “View From the Waterfront” column of Nancy Solomon