The year 1974 was a significant year in America. Actually, every year in the U.S. is significant in multiple ways, but 1974 was especially significant.
Among the things that occurred in 1974 was that Richard Nixon resigned the presidency and was succeeded by Gerald Ford. It was also the year a U.S. District Court judge ruled that Native American tribes in Washington state were entitled to half the legal salmon and steelhead fish catches in state waters, based on treaties signed by the tribes and the federal government.
But there’s another event that took place in 1974 that’s of special importance to the commercial fishing industry in the Pacific Northwest: this is the year that Fred Wahl Marine Construction first opened its doors.
And as the Reedsport, Oregon-based business celebrates its golden anniversary, we look back at the history of the company with the owner and namesake himself, Fred Wahl.
This issue contains a special feature commemorating the 50th anniversary of Fred Wahl Marine and recounts the company’s origins, from what was essentially a tiny operation, to where it stands today as it employees dozens of people and is synonymous with the maritime industry in the Pacific Northwest and has become the go-to vessel build and repair operation for commercial fishermen from Bristol Bay, Alaska to Baja California, Mexico.
Reporter Norris Comer traveled to Reedsport, Oregon to interview Wahl and wrote the story in this issue.
“I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. And I’m not done yet,” Wahl, who was nearing 78 at the time of the interview but still looking spry and robust, told Comer.
Congrats to Fred Wahl and Fred Wahl Marine for 50 years of serving the commercial fishing industry.
The article on the company begins on page 24 of this issue.
And speaking of monumental events, if you know of any West Coast-based, commercial fishing-related business that’ll be celebrating a significant anniversary in the coming months—10th, 20th or 25th for example, feel free to let us know about it by contacting me via the email address at the bottom of this column. We’d be glad to help that business celebrate by featuring it in an upcoming issue of the magazine.
By the way, in addition to the Fred Wahl Marine profile, we have plenty of other great content in this issue, including a very interesting article on National Seafood Month. As you probably know, the consumer-centric event is designed as a way to help boost both seafood products and sustainable fishing practices.
But our article delves deeper into the push by companies and organizations to boost the profile of seafood and the efforts that go into marketing and promoting it as a healthier, more sustainable alternative to other forms of meat.
Such promotion is helpful for the U.S. West Coast seafood industry, which for many months has been impacted by inflation, restaurant closures, foreign competition, climate change and other issues, many of which have been chronicled right here in this magazine.
That article begins on page 28; hopefully you’ll find it both interesting and informative.
Thanks for reading.
Managing Editor Mark Nero can be reached by phone at (619) 313-4351 or via email at mark@maritimepublishing.com.