Jeff Oden talks about the pressures on commercial fishermen on ‘To the Point’

Jeff Oden of Hatteras village, who has been a commercial fisherman for 37 years, was the guest on Sunday, Oct. 19, on the new Radio Hatteras interview show, “To the Point.”

On the show, Oden talked about his life as a waterman the increasing pressures on his industry from federal and state regulators, the recreational fishing lobby, and environmental groups, just to name a few.

“To the Point,” which is hosted by Island Free Press editor Irene Nolan, airs on the island’s community radio station, FM 101.5 and FM 99.9, at 5 p.m. on the first and third Sunday of each month. It is repeated on the second and fourth Sunday.

On the Oct. 19 show, Nolan asked Oden if he still feels the same about commercial fishing as he did when he talked with her in 1992 for a newspaper article.

“To hear people tell it, we’re all that’s wrong with the ocean,” he said then. “We need a public awareness campaign. Otherwise, our days are numbered. I’m afraid they are anyway.”

He’s continued to fish for a living for another 22, and he said the same issues are still there. He said that, if anything, they are more complicated and more worrisome.

Oden added that fewer young people are deciding to make a living in commercial fishing and he worries for the future for those men and women who do.

Go to the bottom of this article to listen to the show.

MORE ABOUT ‘TO THE POINT’

On the show, IFP editor Irene Nolan will be interviewing newsmakers about the events and issues that affect all of us who live on Hatteras Island and those of us who love to visit here.

“You can expect to hear from folks who are making the news, those who are decision-makers, and some who are just plain interesting to talk to about the island and its past, present, and future,” she says.

Because the station’s all-volunteer staff and small budget are stretched tight, the show is pre-recorded. At this point, listeners cannot call in questions.

Also, the station can be received only on Hatteras Island, though the board of directors of the community, non-profit hopes that funds can be raised soon for online streaming of the programming.

For now, the audio will be posted the week after the interview so Island Free Press readers who missed the show or who do not live on Hatteras can listen in.

You can let Nolan know about folks you would like her to interview and suggest questions to ask. Send your ideas to editor@islandfreepress.org.

MORE ABOUT RADIO HATTERAS

Radio Hatteras is our community, non-profit radio station and depends on grants, memberships, and underwriting.

It broadcasts around the clock with news — including such things as surfing and fishing reports — community announcements, music, and special programs.

Our community radio station also needs your support, and you can give that by purchasing a membership or by underwriting the station if you are a business or another community non-profit.

Radio Hatteras memberships are $50 for a family, $25 for an individual and $10 for a student. Mail memberships and other contributions to Radio Hatteras, P.O. Box 339, Frisco, NC 27936.

E-mail info@radiohatteras.org or call (252) 995-6000 for information about underwriting opportunities.

You can read more about Radio Hatteras and its music and programs on its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/radiohatteras.

The new Radio Hatteras website is http://www.radiohatteras.org. There’s information on memberships, underwriting, and programming, among other things.

Radio Hatteras wants to publicize community events. You can send them at least two weeks in advance to psa@radiohatteras.org.

If you have a special request for a song, you can e-mail it to studio@radiohatteras.org.

If you have news, you can send it to news@radiohatteras.org.