Willis Blount, a distinguished fisherman and shipbuilder, was born in Putnam, Connecticut, in 1945. He inherited his maritime passion from a family deeply entrenched in shipbuilding and fishing traditions. Blount's early exposure to the maritime world led him to develop a connection to both shipbuilding and fishing. His journey encompassed innovative contributions to the industry and a lifelong dedication to the sea.

Geno Leech is a seasoned fisherman and poet hailing from Chinook, Washington. Born in Oregon City, Oregon, Geno's early life was far removed from the sea, with his family involved in farming in the Midwest. However, a chance encounter with a merchant seaman during a hitchhiking adventure sparked his interest in seafaring. He obtained his seaman's papers and embarked on his first voyage on a T-2 Tanker in December 1969. Over the years, Geno has served on almost every type of vessel, from merchant steamers to draggers, drawing inspiration from his experiences at sea to fuel his poetry.

Wayne Whalen is a seasoned professional in the fishing industry, with a lifelong involvement that spans various roles including fisherman, lumper, and machinist. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Whalen currently resides in Cape May, NJ, where he operates a metal fabricating business. His connection to the fishing industry was established through his family, particularly his cousins who were commercial fishermen. Whalen's work has often intersected with the fishing industry, as he has frequently contributed his metalwork skills to the maintenance and repair of commercial boats.

Vicky Campbell is a former fish cutter and Union representative from New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Spruce Head Island, Maine. She has an extensive history in the fishery industry. Vicky grew up in Rockland, Maine, where fishing was a way of life. Her grandfather was a lobsterman, and fishing had a significant influence on her upbringing. Vicky later moved to New Bedford, following a friend's invitation, and found work in the fish houses. She had various roles in the industry, including packer, processor, skinner, fish cake maker, flash freezer operator, and brine tank operator.

Tom King is a seasoned fisherman who dedicated his career to the commercial fishing industry. Born into a family with a deep connection to Newfoundland and a long history in fishing, Tom's love for the sea and the fishing trade runs in his blood. In 1968, after working as a fish lumper on the waterfront for eight years, Tom decided to venture into fishing himself. His first fishing experience in February 1969, aboard the fishing vessel Angela W, left a lasting impression on him.

Toby Lees is a fisherman from New Bedford, Massachusetts.  He was born in 1951 in Worcester, Massachusetts, but his family has ancestry in New Bedford dating back to the whaling days. He started fishing in 1970 after being placed on a boat as part of his Commercial Fisheries and Marine Technology course at the University of Rhode Island. Lees has been a full-time fisherman since graduating in 1971. He has a young family with two daughters and a wife.

Captain Quintin is a third generation fisherman. He tells of a few stories from his career including a prank he pulled on a crew member, the Perfect Storm, and an deck accident which happened to one of his crew.

Thomas Quintin Jr. is a native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, born in 1961 at St. Luke’s Hospital. He has spent his life in the fishing industry, working his way up from deckhand to captain. Quintin is a self-proclaimed “dinosaur” in the industry, struggling to remain viable against the growing corporate fishing industry. He has been a captain for 21 years, but has also worked as a deckhand and a mate on various boats. Quintin is currently employed by Quinn Fisheries, which owns five boats.

Thomas O'Shaughnessy recounts the time he drift dived off Molokini in Hawaii.

Theodore (Ted) Pedersen is a retired fisherman of Norwegian descent, born in Norway and later immigrated to the United States. He spent his career as a scalloper, working out of home ports in Brooklyn, New York, and New Bedford, Massachusetts. Despite his father and grandfather both losing their lives at sea, Pedersen pursued a career in fishing, starting in scalloping with his father. He worked in various roles throughout his career, including deckhand, mate, and skipper. Pedersen retired in 1980 after 41 years in the industry.