Celebrating Black History Through Fishing

Much like contributions to aviation and science, the Black experience on and by the water fishing in America is largely still not discussed, but Black anglers’ contributions to the fishing and boating industry is immense. There have been Black pioneers in outdoor sports and today, urban fishing for Black families is a fantastic way to experience Black History Month family bonding. We’re celebrating Black History through fishing today by taking a closer look at the intersection of Black History Month traditions and Black History Month fishing activities and helping you to make fishing one of your family’s cherished Black History Month traditions by learning about Black pioneers in outdoor sports and participating in Black History Month fishing activities.

1. Honoring Black Fishing Traditions

It’s understood that Black fishing traditions in America date back to the time of slavery, with slave owners prodding their slaves to fish to supplement meager food options. In the years that followed emancipation, Black people in the South continued to fish and helped shape fishing culture in the Southern states. This is because Black people were pushed towards the coastlines after the Civil Ware, and with a limited amount of resources for food, began to depend heavily on fishing to provide food for their families as well as to earn an income. In fact, as seafood became a main source of making a living, Black anglers cultivated a dominance of commercial fishing in the Chesapeake. At one point covered 90 percent of the industry, but today there are only 9 Black commercial angler left working in this part of the country.

2. Reading Stories and Reflecting on Your Own Fishing Heritage

One way of honoring Black fishing traditions is to read stories about some of the Black pioneers in outdoor sports, like Rhonda Harper and Brian Latimer, and discover Jeanine Blair and other Black anglers’ contributions to the sport and industry of fishing. Also, spend time reflecting on your own history and heritage by asking, “what does fishing mean to me and my community?”

3. Visit National Wildlife Refuges with ties to African American History

Several National Wildlife Refuges, from Georgia’s Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge to Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge in Connecticut have a strong connection to African American History. There may be no better way of celebrating Black History through fishing than spending time at these sites during Black History Month. Make a day out of it by grabbing your rods and reels to make fishing together one of your Black History Month traditions.

Participate in Outdoor and Fishing Events During Black History Month Look in your community for any outdoor sports and Black History Month fishing activities scheduled. Then look into Outdoor Afro, a project that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature through national not-for-profit organization reconnecting Black people to our lands, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation.

Discover how you can support Black History Month in your community this year.