Introducing Pier to Plate

Eat local fish this summer with Pier to Plate!

“If it’s Pier to Plate, you know it’s Cape caught.”

✔ Local ✔ Sustainable ✔ Delicious

Contact: Lisa Cavanaugh, (310) 462-5816; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Chatham, MA…May 12, 2017) On Memorial Day weekend, the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance will launch an exciting new program, Pier to Plate, to create demand for lesser-known seafood. A small group of area restaurants, a fish market and a catering company will serve locally-caught dogfish and skate to their customers. 

Cape Cod small-boat fishermen sustainably catch “under-loved” species like skate and dogfish, also called Cape shark, in abundance right off our shores, but most of this plentiful, white fish is shipped overseas to restaurants in Europe and Asia. Pier to Plate is making a consistent supply of these healthy, delicious fish available locally for the first time. By ordering dogfish and skate, diners will be supporting sustainable fishing on Cape Cod, a healthy marine environment and a new local fish movement.

“Our goal with Pier to Plate is to create consumer demand for these fish on Cape Cod and across the country,” says Nancy Civetta, Communications Director for the Fishermen’s Alliance. “When our summer visitors return to their year-round homes, they will be raving about these fish and asking for them at their favorite restaurants.”

“Skate is plentiful, locally-caught and delicious, and Americans should eat it,” says fisherman Greg Connors, F/V Constance Sea, Chatham, Mass., who is one of the very first fishermen to pursue skates on Cape Cod.

“Once people realize what an abundant resource we have right off our shores and begin to embrace this versatile fish, our day-boat fishery will really thrive,” says Greg Walinski of South Yarmouth, who has been fishing for dogfish off Cape Cod on his vessel, F/V Alicia Ann, for 30 years.

Local chefs have been enthusiastically working to develop delicious menu choices using Cape Cod caught dogfish and skate. “These are sustainable fish that we feel good about introducing to our customers,” says Wes Martin, chef at Far Land Provisions in Provincetown.

Several events will be held in June to kick off the program:

• Saturday, June 3, 12–2 p.m.
Skate tasting at Chatham Fish and Lobster, 1291 Main St., Chatham. A chance to taste local skate, meet a local fisherman and learn more about this abundant fishery.
• Thursday, June 15, 5 p.m.
Bowling with the Dogs at Big Dogs Barbecue at the Orleans Bowling Center, 191 Route 6A Orleans. A night of fun and food! 1/2 price bowling from 5-7 p.m., free samples of dogfish and skate, and delicious dogfish and skate dishes to order.
• Saturday, June 17, 5 p.m.
Far Land on the Beach Summer Kick Off at Herring Cove Beach, Provincetown. Start the summer off right with an evening of live music and dogfish and skate appetizers to sample. Beer and wine and other Far Land on the Beach fare available to purchase. Local officials and representatives from the Cape Cod National Seashore and Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance will speak about healthy local eating and sustainable fishing.
• Wednesday, June 28, 5 p.m.
Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance Meet the Fleet:  Skate and Dogfish. Nauset Marine Marina East, 235 Main Street Orleans. Fishermen John Tuttle and Tim Linnell will talk about dogfish and skates and how important they are to local fishing businesses. Chatham chef Caleb Hessler of What’s Cooking Catering & Events at the Lazy Lobster will offer cooking tips, tastes and recipes.

While donations are encouraged, this event is both free and open to the public. Please note that RSVP is required: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 508-945-2432 x102.

The Fishermen’s Alliance is proud to have several key partners in the program, including Chatham Fish & Lobster, Araho Transfer, Marder Trawling, Red’s Best and Seatrade.

Find participating food establishments at piertoplate.org, use the hashtag #pier2plate, engage with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @fishalliance

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This program is funded by a Saltonstall-Kennedy grant from NOAA Fisheries Service.

If you are a foodservice establishment interested in buying dogfish and skate, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Fishermen’s Alliance works with fishermen to build lasting solutions to protect the ocean ecosystem while ensuring the economic viability of Cape Cod’s small-boat fishing fleets. www.capecodfishermen.org