Commercial Marine Expo Attracts Hundreds To State Pier

The largest commercial marine event on the Atlantic Coast is happening at the State Pier in New Bedford.

The Commercial Marine Expo has more than 100 exhibits displaying various machinery and devices used for commercial fishing and other marine related professions.

Show operator Anne Green tells WBSM News, New Bedford is an ideal spot for the two day event. "This is a local show. Its a place for people to come. It's not always easy for everyone to get out to the giant shows in Louisiana or Seattle or anything like that, so we thought let's have the show here."  Green and her family have recently acquired the Marine Expo and hope to return next year.

One of the headliners at this week's Marine Expo is Captain Tyler McLaughlin, star of "Wicked Tuna," the number one rated show on the National Geographic Channel.

McLaughlin now fishes out of Rye, New Hampshire but he spent a lot of time in New Bedford as a youngster. He was impressed with the Port of New Bedford as it is today. "Its a really cool port. I'm amazed by the facilities and how clean and beautiful it is. Its a wonderful place and I wish we had ports like this up where I fish out of.

The skipper of the vessel "Pinwheel" says he loves being on the ocean and catching fish.

The Marine Expo continues Thursday from 10am to 3pm at the State Pier.