Tangier Island, in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, was named more than 400 years ago by Capt. John Smith. Since that time, watermen have survived for generations by working the waters of the Bay for crabs, fish, and oysters. However, with the state of the economy, these watermen and those living on the island are in trouble.

On Oct. 2, Calvert Marine Museum will put on a public performance of Fishing Gone at 6 p.m. in the museum’s auditorium to see the many challenges facing the watermen of the Chesapeake Bay. 

Fishing Gone, by playwright and author, Roger Vaughan brings together an artist, director, actors, and the audience for a dynamic performance about the many challenges facing the watermen of Tangier Island.

Over-fishing is only a small part of the problem. The increased population of people around the Chesapeake Bay, along with the decrease in crabs and oysters, has made it very difficult for the watermen to earn a living.

The not-so-obvious problems have also contributed to their plight; such as the decrease of sharks in the ocean. Sharks prey on rays, but with fewer sharks, there are more rays and rays feed on oyster larvae, which has a negative affect on the oysters.

What can be done to help the watermen? 

Roger Vaughan is a member of the Writers Guild of America and has been producing free lance writing for Life; Look; Sports Illustrated; Esquire; New York Times; Washington Post Magazine; National Geographic, and others.

Philip Steel, project director and artist, is a signature member of the American Society of Marine Artists, The Florida Watercolor Society, The American Artists Professional League, and is listed in Marquis Who’s Who in American Art. His subject matter reflects his love of the sea and the people whose lives are affected by it.

Joel Kolker, director and lead actor, has appeared in several films including Cape Fear and Love Story. His many television credits include roles in The Fantastics, Begger’s Opera, Glenngary and Glenross. He was solo performer in Net Loss. David “Davy” Crockett has worked on the Chesapeake Bay his entire life, observing his surroundings, which become topics for many of his “homemade” songs. He is a gifted self-taught musician with a fine tuned ear and fast fingers on his guitar. Words and music for this performance were written by Davy Crockett.

Fishing Gone is sponsored by the Tangier Historical Museum and the Interpretive Cultural Center. The performance is funded by the Maryland Humanities Council and the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Additional support provided by the Holiday Inn Select Solomons.

The Calvert Marine Museum is proud to host this performance during our First Free Friday event on Oct. 2 beginning at 6 p.m. in the museum auditorium. For more information, visit CMM’s website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call (410) 326-2042.