Boston, MA – The Boston Fisheries Foundation, a non-profit celebrating the history of Boston as the cradle of the United States seafood industry, today announced it created the Boston Seafood Hall of Fame to honor pioneers and leaders in the New England seafood community. The first inductee of this annual honor will be the late Gerry Frattollilo, a 50-year employee of the New England Seafood Exchange and its President from 1985 until her retirement in 2010. The induction will include a ceremony at the Third Annual Boston Seafood Festival, the Boston Fisheries Foundation’s celebration of the local seafood community held July 27th from 11am – 6pm on the historic Boston Fish Pier.
“Seafood is vital to Boston,” said Richard Stavis, board member of the Boston Fisheries Foundation. “The creation of the Hall of Fame coincides with the 100 year anniversary of Boston’s Fish Pier and provides a great backdrop to celebrate the importance of the seafood industry in Boston. Gerry strongly believed in the relevance of the industry in the local community, as well as the rights of local fishermen. She is a perfect selection by the Boston Fisheries Foundation as the Hall’s first inductee.”
In an industry dominated by men, Gerry Frattollilo’s talent and frank, tough attitude helped her climb the ranks of the local seafood industry, eventually becoming one of the first female leaders in the New England commercial fishing industry. Gerry started as a switchboard operator for the New England Fish Exchange in the 1960s and eventually rose to serve as its President in 1985. Throughout her tenure, Gerry focused on helping expand the local commercial fishing industry as well as helping local fishermen. She also strongly believed the Boston Fish Pier was a major gateway for the New England seafood industry.
The induction will take place at the Third Annual Boston Seafood Festival, sponsored by the Boston Fisheries Foundation. The Festival will include a variety of restaurants, foods trucks and food vendors, who will serve New England seafood favorites, including chowders, lobster rolls and fried clams. Some of the participants include Captain Marden’s, Yankee Lobster, and No Name Restaurant, among others.
“There is a huge need to bring awareness to one of the oldest continual industries in New England, the fishing industry,” said Chris Basile, Co-founder of the Boston Fisheries Foundation. “With the Boston Seafood Festival, you can bring your friends and family to celebrate the industry as well as the 100th anniversary of the Boston Fish Pier, the oldest working fish pier in the United States. Between the food, history and entertainment, you are guaranteed to have a memorable time.”
The Boston Fisheries Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization which was created to educate the public about responsible harvesting and management, the importance of seafood and fishermen in the local community, as well as the environmental and nutritional benefits of seafood. For more information or inquiries, please visit www.bostonfisheriesfoundation.org.
Source: The Boston Fisheries Foundation
