Willis Spears Jr. speaks about his 54 years as a commercial fisherman off of Cousins Island, ME, focusing on the history of shrimping, the differences between dragging and trapping shrimp, and the changes in the Portland working waterfront over his lifetime. He describes the interaction between fishermen and Portland authorities in their efforts to advocate for the fishing community’s needs and emphasizes the importance of passing information and knowledge to future generations.

Valerie Peacock is an education consultant and advocate for fishing communities from Bar Harbor, ME who is the head of the Eastern Maine Skippers Program. Valerie has experience in the fishing industry, including scalloping, lobstering, and sea sampling. 

Scope and Content Note

Tyler Childers and Anson Kelley, lobstermen and high school students enrolled in the Eastern Maine Skippers Program in Jonesport, ME, are old friends who speak about their experiences in the Eastern Maine Skippers Program, their current work trying to improve bait quality and pricing, their current fishing locations, and the locations they plan to fish in the future.

Tom Duym, from Lamoine, ME, is a seasoned professional in the fisheries industry with over 45 years of experience. He has dedicated his career to marine education and the development of programs that support young people interested in the fishing industry. Through his work as a coordinator and educator, Duym has been instrumental in fostering community engagement and advocating for sustainable fishing practices in coastal towns.

Toby Stephenson is a marine researcher and captain of the research vessel Osprey at the College of the Atlantic. With a background in whale research and a passion for marine mammal studies, Toby has dedicated his career to understanding the behavior and feeding habits of humpback, finback, and minke whales. Toby lives in Ellsworth, ME.

Tim Sheehan a former teacher from Pembroke, ME, cofounded Gulf of Maine, Inc., a shellfish wholesaler.

Scope and Content Note

Tap Pryor, an aquaculturist through Maine Shellfish Developers from Brunswick, ME, is currently attempting to grow oysters more efficiently and sustainably by growing them onshore. He speaks about his experience being on the original commission that founded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), how NOAA was named, and his work growing oysters on land first in Hawaii and now in Brunswick.

Steven Holler, a lobsterman out of Boston, MA, begins by talking about the flooding that was happening in Boston at the time of the interview and its effects on the fishermen and his family. He speaks about his experiences fishing out of Boston since he was 14 years old and about the different fishing communities in Maine. Holler shares his thoughts about the current whale entanglement issues and explains why he has decided to lobster only in summer and fall.

Steven Burns is an experienced lobster fisherman from Bar Harbor, Maine. With a lifelong dedication to his craft, he has been actively involved in the industry since the age of 12. Steven's passion for the ocean, commitment to sustainable practices, and desire to pass on his knowledge to future generations make him a respected figure in the lobster fishing community.

Scope and Content Note

Stephen Train is a seasoned commercial fisherman hailing from Long Island, Maine, a tight-knit community deeply rooted in maritime traditions. Born into a family with a rich legacy of fishing, Train has spent the majority of his life navigating the waters of the North Atlantic, harvesting the sea's bounty. His intimate knowledge of the local marine environment, coupled with years of hands-on experience, has made him a respected figure among his peers.