Stan, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, developed an interest in the natural world from an early age. This passion led him to pursue higher education, and in 1962, he received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. Stan continued his academic journey and obtained his Master's degree from the University of Delaware in 1964. In 1965, Stan came to work for the Beaufort Laboratory, where he made significant contributions to the field of marine ecology. Initially employed with the Menhaden Program, he played a crucial role in managing fishery-dependent data collection.

Maria Edalena Ribas, also known as Edalena, was born and raised in Vila Praia da Ancora in Northern Portugal. She and her husband, Luiz, grew up as neighbors and eventually fell in love and married.  With Luiz away, working on factory ships in Germany, Edalena is the primary caretaker of their son Bruno who has health problems.  

On May 7, 2011, Joseph Smith interviewed Eldon Levi for the NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories project in Pensacola, Florida. Eldon was born and raised in California. He served in the U.S. Army overseas. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from San Jose State University in the mid-1960s. Eldon was initially employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries at field stations in Alaska and Michigan.

Elizabeth is currently working at a Port Agent in Point Judith, Rhode Island. She speaks about her involvement in the fishery from working as a sternman to her current position.

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

Ellen is a former fisherman. She speaks about what it was like being a woman in the fishing industry.

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

Esther Ilutsik is the Director for Yup’ik Studies for the Southwest Region Schools in Dillingham, Alaska. She learned to set net fish as a child and commercial fished throughout her life at her family’s fish camp in Ekuk. In this interview Esther recounts her experiences of fishing with her mother and the social and environmental changes she has observed in Ekuk. This interview was conducted by NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center in partnership with Bristol Bay Native Association as part of the Women of Alaska Fisheries oral history project.

Gayla Hoseth is Director of the Natural Resources Program at Bristol Bay Native Association and currently serves as the Second Chief to the Curying Tribal Council. She spent summers during her childhood putting up fish with her grandmother in Bristol Bay. In this interview Gayla talks about learning to set net fish for salmon with her grandmother and carrying on these practices with her sisters and younger generations of her family. She also discusses the importance of fighting to protect and maintain the traditional Native way of life.

• Received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 1965
• Did post-doctoral work at the University of Miami 1966-1967
• Employed at the Beaufort Laboratory in 1967, initially with the Menhaden Program
• Established the Reef Fish Program at the Beaufort Laboratory in the early 1970s, studying life histories of the snapper-grouper complex of fishes along the U.S.

George speaks about what it is like being a commercial fisherman and also having a summer tourist business to supplement his income.

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

Giuseppe Pennisi, a resident of San Francisco, is a seasoned fisherman with deep familial ties to the fishing industry. His lineage in the profession can be traced back to his grandfather, who was adept in the use of Paranzella nets for the capture of halibut and flatfish. Pennisi's formative years were spent on fishing boats, where he gained firsthand experience in the trade. Over the years, he has observed a transformation within the fishing sector, marked by a downturn in local fish processing businesses.