Kids & Family

Blessing of the Salmon Fishing Fleet

Reviving an old tradition, San Mateo County Harbor District hosts a blessing of the fishing fleet for the start of the salmon fishing season.

Yesterday afternoon a crowd gathered in Pillar Point Harbor as Coastside pastor Lisa Warner-Carey of blessed the fleet, in hope for a safe and successful salmon fishing season.

“We haven’t had a blessing like this since 1996,” said Peter Grenell, general manager at . “Whatever we can do to sustain the fishing industry at Pillar Point Harbor and make it a safe refuge for the fishing fleet, that’s our job.”

At the blessing Congresswoman Jackie Speier joined the San Mateo County Harbor District’s Board of Commissioners, president Charise McHugh, Jim McCarthy, organizer of the Salmon Solutions Campaign at Earthjustice, and the president of the Half Moon Bay Fishermen’s Marketing Association, Duncan MacLean. The blessing performed by Warner-Carey was aboard the Irene, a fully restored Monterey fishing boat.

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Back at the harbor, an informal BBQ and gathering of community members and fishermen followed.

“The salmon are really biting and the season so far looks promising,” said Grenell. “This event is to wish the fishing fleet continued success.”

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