Eric Hesse

Captain Eric Hesse of Barnstable believes Cape Cod’s fishermen deserve powerful representation in fisheries science and management. He has longlined for cod and haddock and been a bluefin tuna harpoon fisherman throughout his career. Eric currently owns two boats, Tenacious II and Mattanza, and fishes from Chatham in the summer and from wherever is closest to the fish in the winter. In contemplating the Fishermen’s Alliance, Hesse says, “We see things differently in our small boats than the ‘big steel’ fleets. Just as we are physically closer to the water, we also understand intuitively that resources are finite and sustainable fishing practices and accountability are essential for the future of the Cape’s fisheries.” Hesse served on the board of directors of the Hook Association, the forerunner of the Fishermen’s Alliance, for six years and rejoined the Alliance board in 2018. He earned a Bachelors of Science in Physics from Bates College and a Masters of Science in Civil/Environmental Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, but once he started fishing in the 1980s it was something he couldn’t give up.