Kevin Norton, 42, is a commercial fisherman out of Scituate, Massachusetts. He began fishing as a kid, left fishing for a while and has now been fishing full-time for the past 14 years. For the majority of his commercial fishing career, Mr. Norton has gone groundfishing on a dragger in the Gulf of Maine. He is a member of sector 10, but would leave sectors very quickly if it were possible to make a living wage in the common pool. Mr. Norton has a negative view of sectors and feels there is a large amount of uncertainty in fishing as a result of sector and other fishing regulations.

Lenny Russo, 27 years old at the time of his interview, describes working as the relief captain of a fleet boat in Portland, ME, after growing up working on a family fishing boat in Gloucester MA. Lenny is also the owner-operator of a seasonal salmon gillnet vessel in Bristol Bay, AK. 

Scope and Content Note

On July 15, 2010 Monet Murphy interviewed Leroy Beavers as part of the Georgia Black Fishermen oral history project.  Leroy grew up in a fishing family in McIntosh County in Sherman Bluff, Georgia — 30 miles south of Savannah.  His love for fishing, imparted by his grandfather, deepened as he grew older.  He fished often while stationed in various locations during his 20 years of military service.  Fishing taught him patience, which he incorporated into all aspects of his life.  After leaving the military, Leroy began working in his father’s barbersh

Leticia Pearsall, 40, is a registered nurse, married to commercial fisherman Niles Pearsall, who fishes out of Point Judith, Rhode Island. Mrs. Pearsall has no family history of fishing; her husband has owned his boat for about 11 years. He predominantly does dragging offshore. Her husband has been a member of sector 5 since sector management began. Mrs. Pearsall has a negative view sector management regulation; she finds it often overwhelming and confusing. She has seen a decrease in household income since sector regulations were implemented. Their quality of life was worse before Mrs.

Linda McCann, 54, is currently the Sector Manager for Sectors 7 and 8 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Her husband is a commercial fisherman out of New Bedford. He owns two boats, which he captains and fishes with his three sons. Mrs. McCann has a finance background that helped her secure her current position and allows her to manage the family fishing business. She takes pride in working hard for the fishing industry and assisting her sector members in navigating fisheries management and maintaining viable businesses.

Lucas Raymond, 28 years old at the time of the interview, is a deckhand and relief captain on the F/V Witchcraft in Rye, NH.

Scope and Content Note

On July 14, 2010, Dr. Jolvan Morris interviewed Lucy Grant as part of the Georgia Black Fishermen oral history project. Lucy Grant was born in 1930 in the small coastal community of Sherman Bluff, Georgia in McIntosh County—30 miles south of Savannah. Fishing was essential in her family and community and throughout her married life. Her husband was a shrimp boat captain and they had three children. However, the family connection to fishing did not extend to her two sons, who hated fishing and chose to enter the military instead.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview Mr. Bilhano talks about his life prior to coming to the U.S., including fishing, social and religious traditions. He also relates what brought him to the U.S.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview Mr. Moço talks about his life in Portugal, including fishing and cultural traditions. He also describes routines aboard Portuguese fishing boats in the U.S. and the role of the union in the strikes of the 1980's as well as the impact of regulations in the livelihoods of those involved in the fishing industry.

Lyle Peele, 29 years old at the time of the interview, is a fifth generation waterman in Manteo, NC. Lyle and his family have seen the industry change, and his feelings about it are complex. He owns three boats and has diversified his fishing methods to adapt to changing conditions.

Scope and Content Note