WeFish, a nonprofit that supports the Westport commercial fishing fleet, is holding an open house fundraiser Saturday, March 2, at McCausland Hall, next to the Westport Maritime Museum in Westport from 5-6:30 p.m.
The group holds several events each year designed to promote the efforts of commercial fishermen and their families in the area and to educate the public on what it takes to get seafood from the ocean to the table.
“Every year we try to do some kind of open house or event, do a little meet and greet with our new officers, educate everybody about our organization and invite people to participate if they so choose,” said Holly Rydman, president of WeFish.
There will be door prizes, raffle items, and free light appetizers and beer and wine for purchase at the event, catered by Aloha Alabama Barbecue.
The group invites local businesses as potential sponsors, and welcomes new members to help WeFish put on community events designed to educate the public on the impact of commercial fishing to the economy and identity of Westport, the top seafood landing location in the state and in 2018, the 11th top seafood landing location in the nation.
“We send letters to potential members and businesses who may sponsor us, and work with us to promote and preserve the commercial fishing community,” said Rydman.
Support from sponsors and members allowed WeFish to provide three scholarships for local high school seniors this year, said Rydman. Students should check with their school guidance counselor for application information.
WeFish events include their annual Coast Guard appreciation dinner.
“We host the Coast Guard and bless them, do everything we can to show our appreciation for them, because they are instrumental in what we do,” said Rydman. WeFish also led fundraisers to support local Coast Guard families during the recent government shutdown, when Coast Guard members were not being paid.
Several other events hosted by WeFish include an education display at the annual seafood festival.
“We have a booth at the Westport Seafood Festival to educate people about the different types of fish and shellfish,” said Rydman. Examples of the commercial catch are displayed on ice and people are encouraged to handle and learn about them. “The seafood festival brings people from all over; you’d be surprised how many don’t know what a tuna looks like. We have people taking selfies with the fish, it’s pretty fun.” The 73rd annual seafood festival is scheduled for Aug. 31.
The blessing of the fleet event, where commercial fishermen who have been lost at sea are honored and the current year’s fleet is blessed, is another event WeFish participates in. This year’s blessing is slated for May 26.
“We will occasionally have a festival that educates people about the seafood industry, where people get to participate in different facets of the industry,” said Rydman. These events include line coiling, a grappling hook throw, how fast a person can slip into a survival suit and the like.
WeFish also cosponsors an annual two-day crab fishing derby at the marina with the Washington Dungeness Crab Fisherman’s Association. The marina is stocked with Dungeness crab, a number of which are clearly marked “money crab” worth anywhere from $25 to $500. The derby scheduled this year for April 20-21, the same weekend as the Westport-Grayland Chamber of Commerce World Class Crab Races.
“We do as much as we possibly can to support commercial fishing families; this is a strongly-based fishing community,” said Rydman.
McCausland Hall is located at the Westport Maritime Museum, 2201 Westhaven Drive in Westport.
