NOAA Preserve America Initiative

Interviewee Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Sarah Garcia Voices from the Working Waterfront Oral History Project

Biographical Note:
Sarah Garcia is Community Development Director and Harbor Planning Director for the City of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

 Kenneth Walker Gloucester, MA National Working Waterfront Network, National Sea Grant Law Center, NOAA Office of Coastal Management, Maine Sea Grant College Program, NOAA Preserve America Initiative
Peter Katich Voices from the Working Waterfront Oral History Project

Biographical Note:
​​​​​​​Peter Katich is the Senior Planner for the City of Gig Harbor, Washington. Peter was born in April 1954. He has worked in the planning field for 37 years.

 Shelly Leavens Gig Harbor, WA National Working Waterfront Network, National Sea Grant Law Center, NOAA Office of Coastal Management, Maine Sea Grant College Program, NOAA Preserve America Initiative
Lewis Lawrence Voices from the Working Waterfront Oral History Project

Biographical Note:
Lewis “Lewie” Lawrence is the Executive Director of the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission in Saluda, Virginia.

 David Caruso Saluda, VA National Working Waterfront Network, National Sea Grant Law Center, NOAA Office of Coastal Management, Maine Sea Grant College Program, NOAA Preserve America Initiative
Sherrie Miller Voices from the Working Waterfront Oral History Project


Biographical Note:
Sherrie Miller is a resident of Panacea, Florida born on December 19, 1961. She works in her family’s restaurant, Posey’s Restaurant, and serves as the Vice- Chairman of the Panacea Waterfronts Florida Partnership.

 Anna Hamilton Panacea, FL National Working Waterfront Network, National Sea Grant Law Center, NOAA Office of Coastal Management, Maine Sea Grant College Program, NOAA Preserve America Initiative
William Needelman Voices from the Working Waterfront Oral History Project

Biographical Note:
William “Bill” Needelman is the Waterfront Coordinator for the City of Portland, Maine. He was born in Portland, Maine on April 3, 1964.

 Kristen Grant Portland, ME National Working Waterfront Network, National Sea Grant Law Center, NOAA Office of Coastal Management, Maine Sea Grant College Program, NOAA Preserve America Initiative
Laurie Sommers Voices from the Working Waterfront Oral History Project


Biographical Note: Laurie Kay Sommers is a freelance folklorist and historic preservation consultant based in Okemos, Michigan. She has been writing about Michigan history and culture since the 1970’s.

 Amanda Holmes Leland, MI National Working Waterfront Network, National Sea Grant Law Center, NOAA Office of Coastal Management, Maine Sea Grant College Program, NOAA Preserve America Initiative
Randy Bushey Maine Sea Grant Alewife and Eel Oral Histories

Randy Bushey, an elver buyer and fisherman, describes his role in the industry and the politics of elver fishing in Downeast Maine. The interview includes opinions on federal regulations, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and eel behavior and biology. Bushey discusses his attempts to import eels from Caribbean island nations.

 Julia Beaty Steuben, ME NOAA Preserve America Initiative, Maine Sea Grant
Julie Keene Maine Sea Grant Alewife and Eel Oral Histories

In this interview, Lubec elver harvester Julie Keene discusses the elver fishery, competition with indigenous people, the demise of the urchin fishery and current regulations.

 Julia Beaty Lubec, ME NOAA Preserve America Initiative, Maine Sea Grant
William Milliken Maine Sea Grant Alewife and Eel Oral Histories

Elver harvester William Milliken of Maine describes in this interview the process of fishing for elvers using dip and fyke nets. Having been active in the fishery since 1992, Milliken offers perspectives on ASMFC management and current threats to the elver population.

 Julia Beaty Jonesport, ME NOAA Preserve America Initiative, Maine Sea Grant
Jake Southerland Maine Sea Grant Alewife and Eel Oral Histories

Jake Southerland is an alewife harvester in Orland, ME. In this interview, he describes the process of catching alewives, the differences between alewives and blueback herring, and the importance of the fishery to the lobster industry.

 Julia Beaty Orland, ME NOAA Preserve America Initiative, Maine Sea Grant
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