I just got back from a meeting of the Newmarket Historical Society. I was interested in hearing the lecture given tonight by Jeff Bolster from UNH. His presentation was about colonial shipping in the Piscataqua region. He also touched on his new book “The Mortal Sea” and I had him sign my copy.
It’s a completely different perspective on the North Atlantic and juxtaposed against the current news concerning the state of the fishery, most informative. Every fisherman should read this book especially those that sported those bumper stickers.
“NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE: DESTROYING FISHERMEN AND THEIR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1976,”
The ancients themselves with their crude methods and small boats were able to decimate fish populations. Clear cutting timber for ship building changed the landscape and the water quality. Timber mills and the mills that followed with their dams had significant and continuing effects on fish populations and water quality. In the 1700’s they saw the fish counts go way down.
There was a reason why it was named the Salmon Falls River, it once had a salmon run.
Jeff Bolster was just awarded the prestigious Bancroft Prize from Columbia University this week for “The Mortal Sea”
Here is a short video of Jeff discussing his latest and prize winning work. You should head over to Water Street Bookstore and buy it.
It’s a whole new way of thinking about and understanding the North Atlantic, spanning centuries.
Mike
The Exeter Town Crier 
Prof. Bolster is one of my favorites. Black Jacks was great, and the early portion of Mortal Sea promises more quality.