Shoreside workers provide essential supplies and services. These include: boat owner, gear designer/manufacturer, settlement house worker, fish buyer/auctioneer, fish processor, coast guard and port security, transportation, chandler, lumper, ice house worker, maritime attorney, welder, electrician, diesel engine mechanic, diver and refrigeration specialist.

As many smaller ports in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states have lost infrastructure due to economic challenges, New Bedford has grown as a “hub” port providing all of the services needed by a commercial fishing vessel. Vessels from Maine to Virginia come to New Bedford for maintenance and repair of vessels and gear, to purchase essential equipment and supplies, and to offload their catch at the auction.