NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project

Interviewee Collection Sort ascending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
John Faulkingham Jonesport-Beals High School Local Fisheries Knowledge Project

John Faulkingham, a 63 year old fisherman and entrepreneur, talks about offshore cod fishing, lobster fishing and clamming. He tells of close calls on the water and the hard life he had in his early years of fishing.

Brittany Sawyer, Martin Alley, Misty Jo Blount Jonesport, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Tuddy Urquhart Jonesport-Beals High School Local Fisheries Knowledge Project

Tuddy Urquhart, a 77 year old fisherman talks about how the fishing industry has changed over his lifetime. He discusses the changes in traps, buoys, warps, and how technology has changed fishing. He also notes the character changes in fishermen over the years.

Brittany Sawyer, Martin Alley, Misty Jo Blount Jonesport, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Russell Boynton Ellsworth High School - Maine

Russell Boynton, born on June 4, 2005, is a resident of Ellsworth, Maine. He has been involved in worming for nearly 50 years, starting during his high school years in 1957. Russell's interest in worming sparked when he observed people carrying buckets of worms and realized its potential for earning money. Initially balancing worming with college and a grocery store job, Russell soon discovered that worming was more lucrative. He gradually transitioned to full-time worming during summers and part-time while teaching and coaching.

Jeremy Grant, Hillary Camber Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Jamie Perry Ellsworth High School - Maine

Jamie and Annie Perry are a husband and wife who reside in Ellsworth, Maine. Jamie has been a lobsterman for approximately fourteen to fifteen years. His decision to become a lobster fisherman was influenced by his family's long-standing tradition in the fishing industry. The couple has children, and Mrs. Perry has had to adjust to the seasonal nature of Jamie's work, as lobster fishing provides income for only about five to six months of the year.

Chris Archer, Emily Edgecomb, Amy Hodge, Brian Jordan Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Paul Brayton Ellsworth High School - Maine

Paul Brayton is a multifaceted individual who has pursued various occupations throughout his life. Born and raised in Ellsworth, Maine, Brayton began his career as a commercial fisherman after serving in the Navy as a pilot. He was drawn to the excitement and freedom of fishing, spending long hours at sea, and enjoying the financial rewards that came with it, especially during the less regulated times of the 1970s. However, as he started a family, Brayton realized that the demanding nature of offshore fishing was not compatible with being present for his loved ones.

Will Buckingham Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Michael Rioux Ellsworth High School - Maine

Michael Rioux is retired scallop and urchin diver and lobsterman.  He lives in Surry, Maine, and worked out of Blue Hill Bay and Stonington, Maine. Rioux started in the fishing industry by driving a dive boat for other divers before getting into scallop and urchin markets, and then lobstering. He fished in various areas, ranging from Milbridge to Vinalhaven, North Haven, Isle Au Haute, and Swan’s Island.

Julie Whitcomb, Tiara Woods, Erik Korver Surry, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Wes Bunker Ellsworth High School - Maine

Wes Bunker is a part-time lobster fisherman and sea urchin diver in Hancock County, Maine.  

Becca Silsby, Mario Pinaro, Hernan Rave, Ashton Romer Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Steve Robbins Ellsworth High School - Maine

Steve Robbins is a seasoned lobsterman hailing from Ellsworth, Maine. Born in May 1945, he has spent most of his life dedicated to the fishing industry, primarily focusing on lobster fishing. At the time of the interview in May 2005, Steve was sixty years old, with over five decades of experience as a lobsterman.

Caitlin Wood, Lucy Weed-Eaton, Louis Williams Stonington, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
John Crossman Ellsworth High School - Maine

John Crossman has been a lobster fisherman for 23 years, starting in Frenchboro, an island off the coast. John learned fishing from his father. He currently fishes off Bass Harbor, Mount Desert Island, but keeps his fishing spots secret.

Tom Crossman, Aaron Burton, Donald Awalt Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
David Sargent Ellsworth High School - Maine

David Sargent is a lobster fisherman, clam digger, and sea urchin and scallop diver.  Sargent's boat is 22 feet long, and he has 275 traps. He has one additional person who helps with tasks like filling bait bags and cleaning traps. He primarily uses herring and hide as bait, which can be challenging to obtain at certain times of the year.

Kristin Wing, Elizabeth Miller, Danielle Werner Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project