NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project

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

Billy Haas is a lobster fisherman, commercial urchin diver, and scallop diver. He has been involved in these activities for about fifteen years. His daily schedule varies throughout the year. He works for ten months and takes two months off, usually during May and June. During the slow period, he prepares for lobstering, which begins at the end of June.

Shelby Pollack, Sheri Wilder Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Anonymous Ellsworth High School - Maine

This is an interview with the alewife agent for the city of Ellsworth, Maine. Each year lobstermen come to buy alewives for bait for the lobster. He discusses the mechanics of the fish trap and moving the fish to their spawning grounds. He discusses the life cycle of the alewife and the importance to the lobster harvest. He discusses the sea birds that follow the fish and the competition that develops among them.

Brandon Lane, Anna Briggs 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
Fred Hersom Ellsworth High School - Maine

Fred Hersom is a lobster fisherman who first went out fishing with his father when he was six years old. He discusses the weather, bait, number of traps, sale of lobsters, rules, and regulations, and a typical day in the life of a fisherman. He fishes out of Stonington, Maine, and usually sets out four to five hundred traps.

Kim Tupper, Kim Crane, Ben Rudolph Ellsworth Falls, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Bob Hessler Ellsworth High School - Maine

Bob Hessler is the manager at Maine Shellfish Company, a shellfish wholesale company. His responsibilities are accounting, data processing, and purchaser of lobsters.

Cassie Cloak, Alisa Gibeault, Sarah Gauvin Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Herbert Hodgkins Ellsworth High School - Maine

Herb Hodgkins is a renowned figure in the lobster industry, known for his expertise as a lobster fisherman, entrepreneur, and researcher. Born and raised in Hancock, Maine, Herb was exposed to the world of lobster fishing at a young age, accompanying his father on fishing trips. From being a curious helper to occasionally being a little nuisance, Herb developed a deep-rooted connection to the lobster industry. Although Herb didn't pursue lobster fishing as a full-time occupation, he remained closely involved in various other aspects of the industry.

Devin Pickard, Jonathan DeGiosafatto, Khem Millay, Senait Millay , Yohannes Millay Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Heath and Lee Hudson Ellsworth High School - Maine

Heath and Lee Hudson are mussel fishermen and entrepreneurs based in Maine. Heath Hudson owns a thirty-three-foot dragger named the Ms. Daisy, which was originally a lobster boat converted into a dragging vessel for mussel harvesting. The Hudsons operate the Frenchmen Bay Mussel Company, which was initially started by Heath's father. After his father retired, Heath purchased his boat and continued the family business.

Amanda Close, Kellie Gonyea Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project