OUR COMMERICAL
FISHING COMMUNITY
Stonington is proud to be home of the last commercial fishing fleet in the state of Connecticut. For generations, local families have made their living by dedicating their professional life to the sea. Despite significant industry challenges, their brave efforts and dogged determination have resulted in a bounty of incredible fresh lobsters, scallops, fish and more. The seafood makes it way to the menus of our many outstanding restaurants in the region, to local markets and to the dinner tables of families throughout southeastern CT and southern RI.
The buoys shown at the bottom of this page pay homage to the fishing industry and depict some of the boats that operate out of the Stonington Town Docks. We appreciate the fishermen sharing the property with us this winter so that we can present the lobster trap tree for the community. These buoys will be gifted to the fishermen.
To learn more about the fisherman and the businesses that operate out of the Stonington Town Docks, read this insightful article by Joe Wojtas of The Day.
FISHERMEN PROFILES
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Josiah Dodge
F/V Edrie and Logan
Sunset Hill Fisheries
To say I am from a multi generational fishing family is an understatement. In 1661 my ancestor Trustrum Dodge was paid 3.5 acres to come to Block Island from the Massachusetts colony to fish so they could settle the island. We never really got away from that heritage very far. I follow in my families history to feed my Community. Today I focus on local species such as fluke, scup, sea bass, and lobster.
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Empire Fisheries
Empire Fisheries is a commercial fishing business out of the port of Stonington, CT. Our fleet of scallop and squid boats represents the largest fishing fleet in the state. We are committed to using the most sustainable methods available, protecting our fishermen, and protecting the ocean environments we rely on. We are proud to carry on the Stonington tradition of bringing fresh, healthy seafood to communities around the world.
The Empire Fisheries family of companies have a long history in Stonington, CT. Started as Briarpatch Enterprises, Inc. in 1982, we have evolved through many different fisheries. The original Briarpatch company still exists as our aquaculture business, farming clam and oyster beds in Long Island Sound and Fishers Island Sound.
Today, Empire Fisheries operates four burgundy-hulled trawlers out of the port of Stonington. Regulus, Invictus, and Furious specialize in scallops. Starbrite specializes in squid and fish. They are all built to fish year-round in extreme weather.
Learn more at empirefisheries.com
FISHERMEN BUOYS
2022
 Charlie AArtist: Suzanne Starr Fisherman: Robert J. Smith |  Charlie AArtist: Suzanne Starr Fisherman: Robert J. Smith |  StarbriteArtist: Nora Brine Fisherman: Joe Gilbert |
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 StarbriteArtist: Nora Brine Fisherman: Joe Gilbert |  RestlessArtist: Nora Brine Fisherman: Edwin Emery |  RestlessArtist: Nora Brine Fisherman: Edwin Emery |
 Jenna Lynn IIArtist: Nora Brine Fisherman: Robert Guzzo |  Jenna Lynn IIArtist: Nora Brine Fisherman: Robert Guzzo |  Lady LynnArtist: Nora Brine Fisherman: Michael Grimshaw |
 Lady LynnArtist: Nora Brine Fisherman: Michael Grimshaw |  HeritageArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Aaron Williams |  HeritageArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Aaron Williams |
 TraditionArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Thomas Williams |  TraditionArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Thomas Williams |  MacKenzie PaigeArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Gary Stone |
 MacKenzie PaigeArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Gary Stone |  FuriousArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Joe Gilbert |  FuriousArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Joe Gilbert |
 RegulusArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Joe Gilbert |  RegulusArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Joe Gilbert |  Sara ElizabethArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Robert C. Smith |
 Sara ElizabethArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Robert C. Smith |  InvictusArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Joe Gilbert |  InvictusArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Joe Gilbert |
 Ruthy LArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Glenn Beck |  Ruthy LArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Glenn Beck |  Hostile WatersArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Robert Guzzo |
 Hostile WatersArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Robert Guzzo |  Sarah JeanArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Fred Emery |  Sarah JeanArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Fred Emery |
 Lil BitArtist: Suzanne Star Fisherman: Michael Snurkowski |  Lil BitArtist: Suzanne Star Fisherman: Michael Snurkowski |  Stacey GealArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Walter Roderick |
 Stacey GealArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Walter Roderick |  LuannArtist: Susan Scala |  LuannArtist: Susan Scala |
 Susan C.Artist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Dan Malone |  Susan C.Artist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Dan Malone |  QuiambaugerArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Joseph Rendeiro |
 QuiambaugerArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Joseph Rendeiro |  Stephanie KayArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Danial Emery |  Stephanie KayArtist: Susan Scala Fisherman: Danial Emery |
 Lobster KingzLobsterman: Matt Maderia |  Lobster KingzLobsterman: Matt Maderia |  Sunset Hill Fisheries, LLCArtist: Tony "Asian" Nguyen Fisherman: Josiah Dodge |
 Sunset Hill Fisheries, LLCArtist: Tony "Asian" Nguyen Fisherman: Josiah Dodge |