NOAA Fisheries

Interviewee Sort ascending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
William “Bill” Hettler NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories
  • Mr. Bill Hettler was born in Chicago and was raised in San Antonio, Texas.
  • Bill attended the University of Texas and received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1960.
  • After graduation he was commission as an officer in the U.S.
Joseph W. Smith, Ford Cross Morehead City, NC NOAA Fisheries
Wassiliisa "Deedee" Bennis Women in Alaska Fisheries

Wassiliisa (Deedee) lives in Dillingham, Alaska and is the Chief Administrative Officer at Bristol Bay Native Association, where she has worked for over forty years. In this interview Deedee describes how she grew up fishing with her father, who was a commercial fisherman, and how she values family engagement in the fishery.

Kim Sparks , Jean Lee, Christopher Maines Dillingham, AK Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center , Bristol Bay Native Association , NOAA Preserve America Initiative
Tracey Bowen Oral Histories from the New England Fisheries

Tracey Bowen, the wife of a fisherman, describes what it was like when her husband became a fisherman.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Lisa Colburn , Azure Dee Westwood Newport, RI NOAA Fisheries
Tori Pilger Accompanied At Sea: Voices from the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program

Tori Pilger is a marine biologist who worked as an observer for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center fishery monitoring Operations Branch. Pilger graduated from college with a degree in marine biology and moved to Texas before joining the observer program through East West Technical Services. Pilger trained in 2018 and spent three years as an observer, primarily on single-day trips on scalloping day boats due to chronic seasickness.

Sara Weeks Falmouth, MA NOAA Fisheries
Tom Genochio Commercial Fishermen in the California Halibut Trawl Fishery: Who does your local seafood come from?

Tom Genochio is a seasoned fisherman with a career spanning over five decades. Born into a family with a fishing heritage, Genochio followed in his father's footsteps, embarking on a journey through the diverse sectors of the fishing industry. His early years were marked by salmon and albacore fishing, which later transitioned to crab and groundfish. Eventually, he settled into halibut trawling, finding a consistent rhythm in this particular fishery.

Kristine Lesyna, Susan Wang Half Moon Bay, CA NOAA Fisheries, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Simuka Smith Women in Alaska Fisheries

Simuka Smith is a fisherwoman living in Dillingham Alaska who has participated in subsistence and commercial fishing for the past two decades. She is a retired commercial fisherwoman and skilled in many trades. She talks about her experiences and adventures commercial and subsistence fishing, and moose hunting as well as her overall life in Bristol Bay. This interview is part of the Alaska Native Fisherwomen of Bristol Bay oral history project, a partnership between NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center and Bristol Bay Native Association.

Anna Lavoie, Jean Lee, Kim Sparks , Kitty Sopow Dillingham, AK Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center , Bristol Bay Native Association , NOAA Preserve America Initiative
Shareen Davis Women in the New England Fisheries

Shareen Davis is deeply connected to the coastal town of Chatham, where she was born and raised. Growing up in a large family during the 50s, 60s, and 70s, Shareen navigated the challenges of a struggling household. Her family's ties to the fishing industry ran deep, with her maternal grandfather being a pivotal figure in her life. Despite societal gender distinctions of the time, Sharleen defied expectations and embraced a strong voice for fairness and equity, advocating for those who needed support.

Patricia Pinto da Silva Chatham, MA NOAA Fisheries
Scott Drabinowicz Oral Histories from the New England Fisheries

Scott is the captain of a long-lining vessel and he speaks about his involvement in fishing.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Olivia Marcus South Kingstown, RI NOAA Fisheries
Roger Salisbury Commercial Fishermen in the California Halibut Trawl Fishery: Who does your local seafood come from?

Roger Salisbury is a seasoned commercial fisherman with nearly five decades of experience in the waters of Half Moon Bay, California. His journey into the fishing industry began post-graduation with a degree in mechanical engineering when he faced challenges securing employment in his field. This led him to purchase a small skiff and, subsequently, a commercial fishing license in 1971. Over the years, Salisbury has dedicated over 40 years to fishing for California Halibut, evolving his methods from gillnets to trammel nets and trawling.

Kristine Lesyna, Susan Wang Half Moon Bay, CA NOAA Fisheries, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Robert Stone

Oral history interview with Captain Bob Stone on the history of fishing on the East Coast of Florida

Kenneth Brennan Ponce Inlet, FL NOAA Fisheries