Ted Williams is a seasoned professional with a rich history in the New Bedford fishing industry. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Williams moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts at the age of eighteen to pursue a career in agriculture. After working in the farming industry, he transitioned to marine construction, carpentry, and various other jobs before finding his calling in the fishing industry. Williams' extensive experience in the fishing industry includes roles as a fisherman, lumper, stevedore, fish cutter, tug boat captain, and merchant mariner.

Tammy Frye is a former fisherman as well as the daughter, wife and mother of fishermen. She tells about the loss of her two grandfathers at sea, her time fishing with her husband, how she found out she was pregnant, and the decisions her sons have made about their careers at sea.

Susan Petersen is an anthropologist who has dedicated a significant portion of her career to studying the fishing industry in Massachusetts. She moved to the state in 1973, shortly after earning her PhD from the University of Hawaii. Petersen began her research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic, where she sought to understand the structure of the fishing industry, including boat ownership, financial structures, and the impact of fish stocks on the industry's health.

Stephen Train is a seasoned commercial fisherman hailing from Long Island, Maine, a tight-knit community deeply rooted in maritime traditions. Born into a family with a rich legacy of fishing, Train has spent the majority of his life navigating the waters of the North Atlantic, harvesting the sea's bounty. His intimate knowledge of the local marine environment, coupled with years of hands-on experience, has made him a respected figure among his peers.

Steve Cassidy is an 85-year-old self-taught diver of white ethnicity. He began his career as a lifeguard at Horseneck Beach in 1955, where he was involved in several rescue operations. Cassidy's interest in diving began around this time, and he soon transitioned from lifeguarding to diving. He is a self-taught diver who learned the ropes of the profession through hands-on experience and by learning from others in the field. Cassidy partnered with Robert Douglas Ripley, a navy diver, and together they started a diving business.

Stephen Lacombe is a male lumper from New Bedford, MA. He was born in Fall River and was introduced to the profession of lumping by his stepfather, who was also a fish lumper. Stephen's brother, Ed, also worked as a lumper before becoming a firefighter in New Bedford. Stephen has been working as a lumper since he was eighteen and is currently the President of the lumpers Union. Despite initially not intending to make a career out of lumping, Stephen has been in the profession for over 25 years.

Shawn Sipple is a former fisherman and past winner of the scallop-shucking contest. He was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and attended New Bedford High School. Shawn got into fishing because his father, an ex-commercial fisherman, was tragically burned in a boat fire and could no longer fish. Despite the dangers of the profession, Shawn started fishing at the age of 17 after completing high school. He learned the tricks of the trade from Peter Kilshaw, the owner of Northern Edge, who mentored him. Shawn's father also owned the National Social Club in New Bedford.

Sharon Cummings has been an integral part of the fishing industry for over three decades. Born in New Bedford and now 62 years old, she has dedicated her life to the settlement house and bookkeeping aspects of the fish industry. At Freonor, she was one of the original female employees. Her career path led her through various positions, from trucking for the fishing industry to working for the poverty program and even a real estate office.

Shareen Davis is a fifty-year-old woman from Chatham, Massachusetts. She is a 13th generation Cape Codder with a rich history in the fishing industry. Davis owns a weir fishing business and provides shore support. She has also been a fisherman in the past and is a community activist. Her home port and hail port are both in Chatham, MA, specifically Stage Harbor. Davis comes from a fishing family, with her grandfather and uncles being fishermen and her mother working in the industry. She met her husband, Ernie, in a coffee shop where a group of fishermen would come in for breakfast.

Sarah Schumann is a commercial shell fisherwoman in Rhode Island. She currently targets underutilized shellfish species such as razor clams and periwinkles. She tells how she began her commercial fishing career.