NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project

Interviewee Sort ascending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
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
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
Theodora Beal Ellsworth High School - Maine

Theodora Beal, affectionately called "Gram," grew up in West Tremont, Maine, in a large family of six brothers and six sisters. Her father was a fisherman, and they lived by the water, surrounded by boats and the fishing industry.

Evan Beal, Cassandra Engstrom, Deanne Daigle, Zach Cravens Ellsworth Falls, 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
Scott Fuller Ellsworth High School - Maine

Scott Fuller, a former lobstering and scallop fisherman, was born in Maine. He embarked on his fishing career in 1983 and continued until 1987. Growing up in a coastal community, Scott developed an affinity for the sea and its unpredictable nature. His choice to become a fisherman was fueled by a desire to embrace the challenges and rewards that came with the occupation. Although not from a family with a fishing background, Scott was introduced to the trade through an in-law who was already involved in the industry.

Morgan Fuller, Carolyn Frank, Jessica Putnam, Isabel Hopkins, Janeka Haass Bar Harbor, 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
Peter Harvey Ellsworth High School - Maine

Peter Harvey is an aquaculture research worker employed by the University of Maine at the Franklin facility, where he holds the position of systems manager. With a background in both engineering and marine aquaculture, Peter plays a crucial role in the facility, overseeing the maintenance, design, and expansion of various systems. He takes pride in his work, describing it as a combination of problem-solving and experimentation, where he gets paid to explore and test new ideas.

Jay Daigle Franklin, 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
Kip Young Ellsworth High School - Maine

Kip Young is a seasoned lobster fisherman and tuna fisherman hailing from Corea by the Sea, Maine. Born and raised in a coastal town, Kip was drawn to the sea and the fishing industry from a young age. At the age of fourteen, he made the decision to become a lobsterman, primarily because it was the main industry in his town and he found it to be a fun and exciting endeavor.

Edward Bedard, Nicole Austin, Tiffany Corbett, Jessica Albee Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project