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Fishermen look to give back with warm chowder for Christmas

Members of the New England Fishermen Stewardship Association met in Portland on Saturday to host a charity event for folks living underneath the Casco Bay Bridge.

PORTLAND, Maine — To give back to those without the luxury of a warm holiday season, a handful of fishermen headed to Portland to serve up some fresh-caught haddock chowder for the holiday weekend. 

Hosted by the New England Fishermen Stewardship Association, teamwork from about a dozen volunteers made it possible to create a mini-food drive for people living underneath the Casco Bay Bridge. 

"The association was created to bring all fishermen together all across New England and all different fisheries, and so we just kinda came up with the idea," COO Dustin Delano said. 

Caught off of the Dee-Dee-Mae out of the Gulf of Maine, NEFSA Founder Jerry Leeman helped to make the chowder using the same recipe folks often use when out for a long day on the water. 

"For all of the generosity we've had across New England... we thought what better way to ask for some local support and get some wild fish," Leeman said. 

Dozens of bags of warm blankets, pants, gloves, hats and other necessities were also put together and handed out help folks stay warm. 

With the association's mission being to protect access to marine resources, Leeman says at the end of the day, being able to share that gift with all Mainers is a big benefit of that. 

"What do we bring to the table for all U.S. citizens? Wild, heart-healthy product; environmentally and we're sustainable, you know. And it's our goal to keep it this way for all times," Leeman said. 

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