Newport Fishermen's Wives, Inc.

2010 Board of Directors

From the left, back row: Connie Kennedy-President, Bekki Wagner (with baby)-Secretary, Kristen Cole-Membership Chairman, Sara Skamser-Vice President, Erica Fruh-Board Member, Ishah Roads-Board Member

Front row: Tia Retherford-Board Member, Maria Rock-Treasurer, Lori Hoefer-Board Member, Lisa Bonacci-Board Member

We have some very exciting things happening this year from the Blessing of the Fleet, March 20th - which will continue to celebrate and ask for Blessings on our industry and families. This year, however, will include some added "highliner games" that Maria and Tia are working on. The Survival Suit Races will continue as always, so start practicing for your vessel or as team NFW.

We will also present the inaugural Newport Wild Seafood Weekend, September 11th and 12th. This is going to be big. It will be a wonderful festival atmosphere on Port of Newport property celebrating the commercial fishing indsutry and all that entails - including the return of The Great Newport Wild Seafood Cookoff and a new Wild Seafood Market. We will need a lot of volunteers to put this event on.

Those of you who have particiated with us, we thank you and we hope you will come and join us again this year and share in suporting our indsutry and families.

(Great Newport Seafood Cook-Off Maître Di vest designed and created using Grunden’s heavy duty apron by Meghan Kennedy. Great Newport Seafood Cook-Off crew aprons designed and created from pieces of Grunden’s knife belts, heavy duty aprons and fun embellishments, by Connie Kennedy. 2009)

Newport Fishermen’s Wives (NFW) is a non-profit association of fishermen’s wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends, supporting a strong sense of community; helping to aid and assist fishing families, relatives and dependants of commercial fishermen in times of tragedy.  NFW does this through donations, and fundraising efforts like sales of their merchandise, seafood promotion and education, and supporting safety efforts.

NFW assists based on the family's immediate .needs.  Most often it's getting a small check into their hands quickly from the NFW Fishing Family Relief Fund.  This fund was set-up in the 1990's to help with basic needs like diapers, formula, gas, groceries, rent, etc.  The fisherman’s death often occurs at the beginning of a season or fishing trip, before any fish has been landed or delivered, consequently, no paycheck is coming. Sometimes, if the family is willing, it means managing a bank account for tax-deductible donations and rallying the community to donate in memory of the lost fisherman.

Families often have to navigate the system to obtain a death certificate which has been known to be difficult if they are lost at sea.  Others, who had the foresight and prudence to obtain life insurance for their family, may have to wait a weeks, or longer for that to become available based on a death certificate. 

In the early 2000s, the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission (ODCC) approached NFW about managing an account to help Oregon Dungeness crab fishing families when a loss at sea occurs.   NFW agreed, and ODCC held a large fundraiser to start the Oregon Crabber's Relief Fund. Regrettably, there has been a need to use the account nearly every year since. The Commission continues to raise funds for future needs.

Lisa, Bekki, Connie, Lori, Maria, Kristen, Sara and Erica (Not present are; Tia and Ishah)

A Brief History of Newport Fishermen's Wives, Inc.

Click here for a PDF presentation of NFW History.

Newport Fishermen's Wives Inc. has a 30 plus year history of supporting commercial fishing families in a variety of ways.

In the 1970’s, NFW organized to support and/or represent fishing families.  NFW worked to represent at-sea husbands/fishing families to congressional representatives in helping to secure the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in US waters.

In the 1980’s, NFW organized to inform and educate congressional representatives of the need for USCG Search and Rescue Helicopter coverage in Newport and the Central Coast.  NFW worked to ensure a permanent facility and 24 hour coverage.

In 1988, NFW formed a support group for fishermen’s wives with husbands fishing in Alaska.  Organized monthly support meetings, family events, and brought in experts to talk about issues of importance to fishing families.

In 1990, the support group merged with the original NFW who passed the gavel and bank accounts and asked if we would continue the present and Annual Blessing of the Fleet.

In the late 80’s to 1990’s, we worked to raise funds, secure a site, and build the Fishermen’s Memorial Sanctuary at Yaquina Bay State Park.  NFW also offers immediate financial support for basic needs to families of fishermen lost at sea by collecting tax deductible donations and/or opening bank accounts for families for donations.  NFW has also offered to pay for counseling to families in need.  It was also during this time that the third addition of the NFW cookbook was created.

2000’s Continue to support fishing families, promote fishermen and vessel safety, and promote seafood through education.  Present the Blessing of the Fleet, Survival Suit Races, Highliner Competition, Fishermen’s Memorial Service, and create the Newport Wild Seafood Weekend a celebration of wild caught seafood and fundraiser for the Fishing Family Relief Fund.