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WORKING WATERFRONT: A Fish Tale
Working Waterfront is an insiders view of the
world of seafood from deck to dining table.
The New England Waterfront borders the
Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank--one of the
most important, vibrant, and productive of the
world’s shing grounds.
world of seafood from deck to dining table.
The New England Waterfront borders the
Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank--one of the
most important, vibrant, and productive of the
world’s shing grounds.
236 pages, Paperback
Published January 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 26, 2025
This is probably MOSTLy what i expected out of the book when i saw it at the library under new non-fiction. small press kind of local interest thing, with some very salty stories, some very off color stories and some stories i doubt have a ton of truth in them, but were entertaining enough. There were a lot of informative chapters that just straight up explained how specific types of fishing happened or how regulations were made and decided upon. I will admit that the author had me rolling several times with his very explicit criticisms of some very dumb political decisions/politicians. I didn't expect to hear about how money shouldn't equal political speech as that silences those of us citizens who have no money or that trickle down economics is stupid because the rich are the cheapest assholes around and won't even pay their own bills if they can get away with it. Bill seems like quite a card.
Overall i would say, read this if you're interested in the day to day specifics of the fishing industry in new england, especially northern new england, or hearing an insiders view on the growth and changes that have happened in the industry up until today. The book is sparse while being informative, it certainly gives you the impression of the people and places in them; there is a lot of name dropping. This book feels like it could have been written by my grandfather.
I'd probably give this a 3 star, but i think it loses some for the prostitution tangent but earns a bit more for the heart. 3.5.
Overall i would say, read this if you're interested in the day to day specifics of the fishing industry in new england, especially northern new england, or hearing an insiders view on the growth and changes that have happened in the industry up until today. The book is sparse while being informative, it certainly gives you the impression of the people and places in them; there is a lot of name dropping. This book feels like it could have been written by my grandfather.
I'd probably give this a 3 star, but i think it loses some for the prostitution tangent but earns a bit more for the heart. 3.5.
July 31, 2025
The fishing life
This book is a clear concise lesson on the fishing industry. It’s not a novel, it’s educational. It gave me understanding of what my great grandfather and my wife’s family did or does to make ends meet. Bill is easy to understand and adds some insights on how to live as well as some good recipes. If you want to learn, this is a book for you. From Bill R.
This book is a clear concise lesson on the fishing industry. It’s not a novel, it’s educational. It gave me understanding of what my great grandfather and my wife’s family did or does to make ends meet. Bill is easy to understand and adds some insights on how to live as well as some good recipes. If you want to learn, this is a book for you. From Bill R.
March 3, 2026
In short, a memoir style book of a career shaped by fisheries and a passion for sustainable and high-quality seafood. I was pleasantly surprised by the candid nature of the writing.
Before reviewing this, I feel like a little of my own background should be included. I grew up in Maine on the coast. I have been involved in working for a lobster hatchery (research based/public education) and the NPS (public education). Currently my partner has worked for a locally-owned mussel farm for several years. Before picking up this book, I had what I would consider a solid knowledge of Maine fisheries but my hands-on experience is limited to the public outreach and education side of things for fisheries/coastal ecosystems. It's always fun to pick up a local Maine book and find references to places I've been or are familiar with.
This book is written in a way that makes you feel like you sat down and started chatting with the author. If anyone has ever spoken at length with some of the Maine lobsterfolks, you'll understand what I'm getting at. Sometimes the stories drift. Sometimes they go into far more detail than you will ever need. But the passion shines through. Personally, I love the side-exploits and drifting storyline that eventually comes back to the point. It was an interesting view into what has led us to this point in the Maine/New England fisheries status.
There is a lot of description of how various fishing vessels and equipment works. I had a little bit of an edge as I knew of some types of boat setups and was able to ask my partner clarifying questions if needed. The author doesn't make light of the harshness of working on the ocean. Many times I was nodding along with the statements and descriptions as I had heard similar from my own partner and acquaintances. We also in the later portion of the book get a better understanding of the complexities of navigating fishery policies (as anyone whose been around the Maine coast will know, things don't stay at the meeting table).
Overall, I enjoyed this read and would recommend it to anyone who wants a perspective on fisheries from the boat, the plant, and the policy room. It's a unique 3 prong view of how our fisheries have changed and what may be in store for the future. However, some folks may be turned off by the weaving storyline, especially if you've never experienced the storytelling capabilities of a Mainer when you ask them for directions.
Before reviewing this, I feel like a little of my own background should be included. I grew up in Maine on the coast. I have been involved in working for a lobster hatchery (research based/public education) and the NPS (public education). Currently my partner has worked for a locally-owned mussel farm for several years. Before picking up this book, I had what I would consider a solid knowledge of Maine fisheries but my hands-on experience is limited to the public outreach and education side of things for fisheries/coastal ecosystems. It's always fun to pick up a local Maine book and find references to places I've been or are familiar with.
This book is written in a way that makes you feel like you sat down and started chatting with the author. If anyone has ever spoken at length with some of the Maine lobsterfolks, you'll understand what I'm getting at. Sometimes the stories drift. Sometimes they go into far more detail than you will ever need. But the passion shines through. Personally, I love the side-exploits and drifting storyline that eventually comes back to the point. It was an interesting view into what has led us to this point in the Maine/New England fisheries status.
There is a lot of description of how various fishing vessels and equipment works. I had a little bit of an edge as I knew of some types of boat setups and was able to ask my partner clarifying questions if needed. The author doesn't make light of the harshness of working on the ocean. Many times I was nodding along with the statements and descriptions as I had heard similar from my own partner and acquaintances. We also in the later portion of the book get a better understanding of the complexities of navigating fishery policies (as anyone whose been around the Maine coast will know, things don't stay at the meeting table).
Overall, I enjoyed this read and would recommend it to anyone who wants a perspective on fisheries from the boat, the plant, and the policy room. It's a unique 3 prong view of how our fisheries have changed and what may be in store for the future. However, some folks may be turned off by the weaving storyline, especially if you've never experienced the storytelling capabilities of a Mainer when you ask them for directions.
March 1, 2026
Incredible educational and environmental read about the world of seafood, from farming to the table. It's fast-paced and entertaining about fishing, harvesting, processing and feeding America that only Bill can tell. I enjoyed reading this Down East adventure along the New England coast, Portland and Boston. It's vivid in detail sprinkled with some really great recipes along the way.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews