Carl Schwab Port Clyde Maine

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Bio:  Carl Schwab – Lifelong commercial fisherman and founding member of the Port Clyde Fisherman’s Co-op. Read more below.

Carl Schwab Interview Part 1

Carl Schwab Interview Part 2

Carl was born in Manhatten New York in 1934. His father was a prominent civil rights lawyer who died when Carl was eight. Carl and his mother came to Monhegan in the summer of 1944, returning to the city for school in the fall. During summers on the island, Carl spent his time watching and getting to know the fishermen working from the town wharf. In 1947 Carl was invited by Capt. Levi Hupper to come aboard his boat for a fishing trip on the Marie H. a dragger and herring seiner boat based in Port Clyde This invitation became an informal apprenticeship for Carl who soon became a regular member of Capt. Hupper’s crew on the Marie H. and brought Carl to Port Clyde where he bought a house, married, raised a family and lives today.

Commercial fishing around Port Clyde in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s was a year round and often “round the clock” business and involved many types of fisheries that do not exist today. In the winter, Carl worked on Port Clyde boats staying in Portland herring seining off the Isle of Shoals and dragging for shrimp and whiting. In the summer back in Port Clyde, Carl was herring seining and ground fishing as crew on local draggers while hauling lobster traps with his own smaller lobster boat. Carl also made several trips on large draggers based in Rockland to the Grand Banks and other distant fishing grounds.

In 1972, Carl and other leaders of the fishing community worked successfully to form the Port Clyde Fisherman’s Co-op to guarantee working waterfront access for commercial fishing in Port Clyde. Carl continues as an active member of the Co-op and is proud of their accomplishments.

Carl Schwab Photo Gallery