This narrator is a 45 year old male (at the time of the interview), first-generation fisherman fishing out of Cape May, New Jersey. He was born in Philadelphia, PA, in 1960. He grew up in Wildwood, New Jersey, and moved there with his family in 1970. He comes from a family of four boys and did not have any sisters. Despite not coming from a fishing family, he developed an interest in fishing while living in Wildwood. At the age of 19, the interviewee started working on a Virginia boat as a deckhand, breaking into the fishing industry. It was initially challenging to find a job in the tight-knit fishing community of Cape May, but he persisted and eventually secured a position. Over the years, he gained experience in various fisheries, including scalloping, shrimping in Colombia, clamming, and working on different boats in the industry. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the interviewee settled in Cape May and began working on the current boat. He has been operating the boat since approximately 1991. Throughout his fishing career, he witnessed changes in the fishing industry, including the emergence of government regulations and the shift towards quota systems. He expressed concerns about the increasing consolidation of fishing permits and the impact on independent fishermen. He has been in a number of different fisheries including mixed trawl, squid dragging and, more recently and most intensely, scallops.

Scope and Content Note
This oral history interview, conducted on February 20, 2006, in Cape May, NJ, provides a detailed account of the life and experiences of a fisherman with extensive knowledge and experience in the industry. The interviewee, originally from Philadelphia, shares their journey into fishing, starting from their move to Wildwood, NJ, in 1970. Despite not coming from a fishing family, they developed a passion for fishing and pursued a career in the field. The interview covers a wide range of topics, including the challenges faced by fishermen, the close-knit fishing community in Cape May, and the growing influence of government regulations. The interviewee reflects on the changes they witnessed in the fishing industry over the years, discussing the impact of consolidation of fishing permits on independent fishermen and the economic factors driving the industry. Furthermore, the interviewee delves into the dynamics of the fishing industry in Cape May, such as the decline of certain fisheries and the relocation of clam boats to different areas. They provide insights into the community's reliance on fishing and the evolving employment options available over time. The conversation also explores the impact of changes in the fishing industry on the livelihoods of fishermen. It delves into topics such as transitioning between different fisheries, adapting to new fishing practices, the effects of regulations on fishing activities, and the fluctuating prices of various seafood species. The interviewee highlights their experiences in scalloping and discusses the profitability of the industry, the impact of regulations on fishing practices, and the shift to other fisheries. The interviewee shares their opinions on the fishing industry, including their concerns about regulations, the changing composition of the fishing community, and the fluctuations in seafood prices. They also touch on their involvement in fisheries management meetings, expressing their worries about the future of commercial fishing in Cape May and the increasing business-driven nature of the industry. Overall, this interview provides a comprehensive and firsthand account of the challenges, changes, and concerns within the fishing industry in Cape May, shedding light on its impact on the local community and the lives of fishermen.