New Bedford Fishing Industry Pioneer Lars Vinjerud II Passes Away, Leaving Behind a Fleet Empire and Lasting Legacy

Lars Vinjerud II, the founder and CEO of Fleet Fisheries in New Bedford, Massachusetts, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy that stretches far beyond the docks and waterways he called home.

His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends, colleagues, and community organizations who knew him as a visionary businessman, a devoted friend, and a generous contributor to the fabric of the South Coast.

Vinjerud began his journey in the fishing industry in the 1980s with a single boat and a drive to build something meaningful. Over the following decades, he grew Fleet Fisheries into one of the most respected operations in the Northeast, eventually commanding a fleet of more than 25 modern vessels.

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His boats, large steel-hulled ships ranging between 70 and 90 feet in length, became a familiar sight in New Bedford Harbor. The operation expanded well beyond scallop harvesting to include long liners and a fleet of offshore lobster boats working Area 3 waters.

The newest addition to his fleet, the American Eagle, was built in 2024 and stands as a symbol of just how far he pushed his enterprise in his final years.

Beyond the fleet itself, Vinjerud developed a seafood market, a marina, and a restaurant, helping to shape the waterfront and downtown areas of both New Bedford and neighboring Fairhaven. His business footprint was wide, but those who worked alongside him say it was his instinct for innovation that truly set him apart.

He was recognized as a pioneer in developing safer methods for hoisting and dumping large drags full of scallops and returning gear back overboard, an advancement that improved working conditions for crews across the industry.

For those who have eaten scallops anywhere in the United States, the chances are real that those scallops came up from the ocean floor on one of his boats.

A Man of Community and Character

Vinjerud’s influence was never confined to business. The New Bedford Port Society, in a statement released following his passing, noted his generous support of community organizations throughout the region.

His contributions to the restoration and renovation of the historic Seamen’s Bethel, a landmark deeply tied to the city’s maritime soul, helped ensure that the building would survive for generations to come.

Port Society President Phil Oliveira described him as a respected leader whose impact on the industry and on individuals would not be forgotten.

Those who knew him personally remember a man whose warmth and loyalty defined him as much as any business achievement. Phillip Torrey, a close friend, recalled a bond built over a shared love of English Bulldogs.

The two men called each other through the years to offer condolences when the other lost a pet, a simple but telling detail about the kind of person Vinjerud was. He noticed what mattered to the people around him and showed up accordingly.

Lars Vinjerud II was a builder in every sense of the word. He built boats, businesses, and lasting friendships. New Bedford will not soon forget him.