CAPTAIN HARDING HOUSE

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HISTORY OF THE HARDING HOUSE

The history of the Captain Harding House begins in the late 19th century
with Nathan A. Harding, the father of the man who built the house that sits
on the property today. Nathan Sr., a sea captain, had two sons: George and Nathan E. Harding, both of whom followed in their father’s footsteps.
Nathan E. Harding grew up sailing a teamer called the “Henry L. Peckham” out of Kennebunkport. George was also a seafarer. The house remained in the family until purchased from Clifton P. LaRose Jr. by the Oppenheim family in 2008.

HISTORY OF THE LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY

In contrast to their independent image, fishermen today can no longer make
their own rules. They struggle to make a living in the face of restrictive laws and
sharp fish population declines. As far back as 1945, the U.S. has been regulating
ocean activities through congressional legislation. Since 1976, fisheries have been
managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act. Each time the Act is amended, the over-arching goals of fishery management
change. The Act provides each region of the U.S. with a Management Council
that sets specific regulations for each fishery.

Here in New England, each round of regulatory changes tighten the restrictions
on fishermen. As a result, fishermen today are forced to operate in an environment
that would confound their predecessors. Sectors, lease holders, permits, quotas,
days-at-sea, allowable catch and bycatch all combine to regulate the local fisherman’s
livelihood. A single individual has difficulty competing in this regulatory
atmosphere, and scores of fishermen have had to sell out as their fishing businesses
falter. As a result, many fishing communities in New England have been
irrevocably destroyed.

Fisheries managers have tended to focus on the interests of the larger commercial
fishing fleets, such as those in Gloucester and New Bedford, and made little effort
to address the issues facing small day-boat fishing communities, including the
Cape’s hook fishermen.

HOW THE HARDING HOUSE WILL BENEFIT CCCHFA PROGAMS

Our education, research, and policy programs were created to further our
mission of aligning the protection of the oceans with the economic interests of
our historic fishing community. Acquiring the Captain Harding House will
improve operations and provide much needed space for meetings and educational
programs. CCCHFA staff work effectively as a team, sharing office space and
succeeding through the synergy of staff and fishermen collaborations. In the
current tight quarters, deliberations and conversation can be disruptive to other
staff. The Captain Harding House will have dedicated space for collaborative
activities, as well as quiet group office spaces.