NOAA Preserve America Initiative

Interviewee Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
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
Lindsay Layland Women in Alaska Fisheries

Lindsay Layland is a commercial fisher based in Dillingham, Alaska, and also works as the Deputy Director at United Tribes of Bristol Bay (UTBB).

 Anna Lavoie, Jean Lee Dillingham, AK Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center , Bristol Bay Native Association , 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
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
Rhonda Wayner Women in Alaska Fisheries

Rhonda discusses her history in the fishery, environmental changes she's witnessed, as well as family bonds that are created through fishing. 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.

 Kim Sparks Naknek, AK Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center , Bristol Bay Native Association , NOAA Preserve America Initiative
Rhonda Wayner, Harmony Wayner and Betty Bonin Women in Alaska Fisheries

Betty Bonin (grandmother), Rhonda Wayner (mother) and Harmony Wayner (daughter) represent three generations of Alaska Native fisherwomen in Naknek, Alaska. In this interview, these ladies discuss their family heritage of having strong, female fishers in the family, the physical nature of fishing, and family roles in the fishery. Rhonda participated in a follow-up phone interview where she further discusses her history in the fishery, environmental changes she's witnessed, as well as family bonds that are created through fishing.

 Kim Sparks , Kitty Sopow Naknek, AK Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center , Bristol Bay Native Association , NOAA Preserve America Initiative
Rick Welch Maine Sea Grant Alewife and Eel Oral Histories

In this interview, alewife harvester Rick Welch reflects on the Downeast Maine alewife fishery. The interview contains his thoughts on the effects of dams, the desirability of alewives as lobster bait and the difference between alewives and blueback herring.

 Julia Beaty Ellsworth, ME NOAA Preserve America Initiative, Maine Sea Grant
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
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
Shey Conover Voices from the Working Waterfront Oral History Project

Biographical Note:
Shey Conover is the Chief Operating Officer at the Island Institute in Rockland, Maine. She was born on March 5, 1980.

 Julia Beaty Rockland, ME National Working Waterfront Network, National Sea Grant Law Center, NOAA Office of Coastal Management, Maine Sea Grant College Program, NOAA Preserve America Initiative
Subscribe to NOAA Preserve America Initiative