A Day on the Water Near Gloucester Yields a Catch—and a Fresh Seafood Dinner

It was a crisp Wednesday on the Atlantic when security technologist and author Bruce Schneier stepped aboard a small fishing boat departing from the historic coastal city of Gloucester, Massachusetts, for a day of recreational angling. The excursion proved fruitful, yielding a diverse mix of marine life typical of the regional waters, punctuated by an unexpected and rewarding catch that made its way directly to the dinner table by evening.

Operating out of Gloucester—one of America’s oldest and most historically significant fishing ports—the day’s catch included a healthy number of cod. However, regulatory catch limits and conservation rules meant that all of the cod pulled from the water had to be safely released back into the sea. Fortunately, the restrictions were more accommodating for other species. The anglers successfully reeled in a plentiful haul of hake and mackerel, all of which were retained for the trip home.

The most memorable moment of the outing, however, came with a less conventional catch: a live squid. Upon closer examination, the cephalopod was identified as a longfin inshore squid, scientifically known as Doryteuthis (Amerigo) pealeii and frequently referred to locally as the Boston squid. While catching finfish is a standard expectation on a New England charter, reeling in a squid on hook-and-line gear adds a unique twist to a day on the water.

Rather than letting the cephalopod go to waste or serving it as bait, the fresh catch was put to immediate culinary use. That very night, the squid was prepared simply and traditionally over a barbecue grill, cooked hot and fast to ensure the tender texture characteristic of fresh squid when it is subjected to high heat for only a brief moment. The result was a successful, farm-to-table—or rather, sea-to-grill—meal that capped off the day’s maritime adventure.

The outing offered a brief respite from the usual digital security analysis and commentary, providing a classic New England fishing experience in the scenic coastal waters of Massachusetts before returning to the routine flow of blogging and commentary.