A Quaint Fishing Village Where You Can See The Catch Come In

More than 40 commercial fishing vessels call New Jersey's Viking Village home

When I got to Viking Village before sunset most of the boats were in port and fish was being offloaded, processed and packaged. But this boat was just shoving off - starting another day at sea.

What immediately impressed me is how well maintained the fleet is. No rust bucket boats here!

Viking Village is on Long Beach Island at Barnegat Light. The original village was established nearby, by Scandinavian immigrants in the 1920s. Remember the film “The Perfect Storm”? The boat featured in that film calls Viking Village home.

It’s not just about making money from the daily catch at Viking Village. The Village makes it its mission to fish and scallop responsibly, pledging minimal impact on the environment and fish habitat.

Each year some five million pounds of seafood is packed at Viking Village and shipped both locally and around the world to distributors, supermarket chains, fish markets and restaurants.

The Shops at Viking Village. Clothing and fishing gear can be bought here. There’s also an antique shop and a seafood take out restaurant and more.

After the catch is brought in and prepared it’s boxed and loaded on semis for shipment.

All photos copyright Gary Baumgarten.

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