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At
age 13, Jeff Peterson was fishin' with his father off the coast of Vinalhaven.
That was 35 years ago and Jeff's still hauling traps aboard his boat "Hurry
Sundown." The youngest of four children, Jeff and a brother are the
only two siblings to continue the family's lobster legacy.
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As a second-generation lobsterman, Jeff is pleased and surprised the business is still going. Years ago he thought it wouldn't last but "here we are." |
| The Sternman |
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Jeff's sternman, Jessica Poole, also grew-up lobstering on the island. She started going out with her father at the tender age of ten. But nothing is tender about work on a lobster boat. Jessica's been in the business for eighteen years now, eight of which she's been sterning, and doesn't see any need to change.
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I once knew a baker who didn't eat bread. Well meet a sternman who doesn't eat lobster. But she does eat-up a camera. Jessica is Ms. May in the 2002 Maine Lobsterwoman's Calendar.
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By law, Jeff is allowed 800 traps with ten replacement traps. He hauls April through November. Once winter comes, he stops. The good days for hauling are too sporadic and lobster head out to deeper waters once cold weather sets in. So Jeff stays on island preparing his gear and self for the spring. His traps are scattered throughout the Western Penobscot Bay area and move with the lobsters and the seasons.
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| When asked why he stayed in the business, Jeff replied that he was just following his father's footsteps. It's what you do. As for what he'd like for people to understand about lobstering, he offered a word of advice that applies to all. "Don't look at the other guy's catch. Go out to please yourself and be happy with what you get and do. Don't compare yourself, just be yourself." |
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