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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Danner Curtis is a lobsterman based in Blue Hill Bay, Maine. Curtis did not come from a fishing family and was able to start fishing after filling out a Maine state license. There are now permit programs in place, including a student program that allows students to fish 150 traps in the summer as long as they attend college.

Jim Stanley is a lobsterman based in Ellsworth, Maine. Born and raised in the area, Jim comes from a family with a strong fishing background. His stepfathers, brothers, and nephews are all involved in the fishing industry, making it a family tradition. Jim started fishing at the age of thirteen, accompanying his uncle and cousin on fishing trips out of Bartlett's Island. Over time, he developed a passion for lobstering and eventually acquired his own boat, a seventeen-foot vessel that he uses to haul traps.

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.

Jennifer Vose is a naturalist and marine researcher working for the Marine Environmental Research Institute. Based in Blue Hill, Maine, she spends her summers as a naturalist on their boat trips, educating the general public about the local ecology and marine habitat. With a focus on teaching people about the intricacies of the ecosystem, Jennifer's work involves hauling up lobster traps, studying the species caught, and explaining their anatomy, life cycles, and ecological significance. Her aim is to raise awareness about the local environment and promote conservation efforts.