Lindsay Layland is a commercial fisher based in Dillingham, Alaska, and also works as the Deputy Director at United Tribes of Bristol Bay (UTBB). She began commercial fishing as a child on her dad’s boat in the Bristol Bay salmon set net fishery and currently captains her own boat in the same fishery.  In this interview she talks about the physical labor that goes into fishing, the lesson’s she’s learned captaining a boat, and her concerns about current environmental threats to the fishery.

Mary is a net maker and former 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

Maryellen Brown, often referred to as Mary, is a resident of West Kingston, Rhode Island, living at 35 Erica Court. She is forty-nine years old and moved to Rhode Island from Connecticut when she was fourteen. Maryellen is married to a fisherman and has been involved in the fishing community since she was fifteen. She has been married for twenty-five years and has lived in her current residence for eleven years. Maryellen is also a mother to three children.

Mike Mitchell, a fisherman based in San Francisco, embarked on his maritime career at a young age. With a passion for the sea, he acquired his own vessel to pursue a livelihood in the fishing industry. His catch spanned a diverse array of marine life, including salmon, herring, crabs, and halibut. Mitchell's involvement in the Alternative Gear Program showcased his commitment to sustainable fishing practices by reducing bycatch.

Monique Arsenault is a marine observer with a background in biomedical science. Born in April, she grew up in Pelham, New Hampshire, near the New Hampshire-Massachusetts border. Both sides of her family hail from Canada, with her maternal grandparents working in mills and factories in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and her paternal family originating from Prince Edward Island. Arsenault's interest in marine biology began in college, where she initially majored in the subject before switching to a broader biomedical science degree.

Nancy Harrington has deep roots in the fishing and processing industry. Starting as a young worker in a sardine factory, she became a steadfast figure in the industry, working as a fish packer.  Nancy’s husband is a lobster fisherman and house painter. Nancy worked at the Stinson Cannery in Prospect Harbor, Maine, for forty-four years.  

Nicola Ingargiola, born into a lineage of fishermen, embarked on his maritime journey at the tender age of twelve in Sicily. His pursuit of the fishing vocation led him to relocate to San Francisco in 1972, where he continued to engage in the trade. Over the years, Ingargiola ascended to the role of owner and captain of the fishing vessel Anna Marie, specializing in the capture of California Halibut. His tenure in the industry has allowed him to witness a myriad of transformations, including the escalation of competition and the imposition of stringent regulations.

Pam Smith is a school teacher from Jonesport, Maine, with a rich family history tracing back to Ireland. She is the second of four siblings, with her older brother living on Beal's Island, her younger brother having lived in California and now shipping out, and her sister residing in Florida. Her husband is a fisherman, involved in various fisheries including quahogging, lobstering, scallop diving, and tuna fishing. He originally bought his boat in 1987 for gill netting, but lost his ground fish permit the same year. Despite this setback, he has managed to make a living from fishing.

Dr. Pat Tester, a respected figure in the field of oceanography, has dedicated her career to studying and understanding marine ecosystems. Growing up in Oklahoma, her love for the natural world led her to pursue a Bachelor's Degree at California State University at Sonoma in 1972. Seeking further specialization, she obtained her Master's Degree in Oceanography from Oregon State University in 1976 and went on to complete her Ph.D. in the same field at OSU in 1983. In 1976, Dr.

This is an oral history interview with Captain Paul Nelson, who talks about the history of fishing on the East Coast of Florida.