NOAA Preserve America Initiative

Interviewee Collection Sort ascending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Brian Altvater Maine Sea Grant Alewife and Eel Oral Histories

Brian Altvater, Sr. is the chair of the Schoodic River Keepers. He played a key role in establishing the committee to restore the St. Croix River. Altvater is proud that the committee is grassroots and non-politically motivated despite being involved in political matters due to the involvement of different countries, the Tribe, the state of Maine, and the International Joint Commission. He was particularly upset about the denial of ancestral habitat to alewives above the Grand Falls dam, which prevented them from spawning and breeding for 22 years.

Julia Beaty Pleasant Point, ME NOAA Preserve America Initiative, Maine Sea Grant
Ed Bassett Maine Sea Grant Alewife and Eel Oral Histories

Ed Bassett describes in this interview the importance of alewives to the Passamaquoddy tribe in Downeast Maine. The interview contains his recollections of how the marine ecosystem appeared to prior generations and the challenges facing alewives right now.

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