Anonymous, #17

Location of Interview
Collection Name

Cumulative Effects in New Jersey Fisheries

Description

The "Cumulative Effects and New Jersey Fisheries" Project was funded by the New Jersey Sea Grant College Program, New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium. Dr. Bonnie McCay and Dr. Kevin St. Martin of Rutgers University were the principal investigators of this project and interviews were conducted primarily by Dr. Grant Murray (now at Vancouver Island University) and Mike Danko (New Jersey Sea Grant College Program, New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium). These interviews had 2 principal goals: 1) to document the cumulative effects of regulatory change on the people, businesses and communities most directly dependent on New Jersey's fisheries; and 2) to create a history of New Jersey's commercial and recreational fisheries through the oral histories of people involved in them. Identifying information has been stripped from these interviews in order to preserve anonymity. Thanks to the 44 fish harvesters that participated in oral history interviews.

Date of Interview
02-02-2006
Transcript
Biographical Sketch

The narrator is a semi-retired individual in his mid-60s, residing in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, pursuing fishing as a lifelong endeavor. Over the years, he has immersed himself in a range of fisheries, including surf and hard clams, cod, mixed-species gill nets, scallops, and mixed-species dragger fishing. Having accumulated a wealth of experience, the narrator shares captivating stories about the clam fishery during the vibrant decades of the 1950s and 1960s. During the 1990s, the narrator primarily focused on the relay clam fishery, dedicating his efforts to this specialized aspect of the industry. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, namely, his son's injury sustained while fishing, he took a step back from his fishing endeavors for a period. However, driven by his enduring passion and influenced by his son's road to recovery, the narrator recently rekindled his love for fishing and resumed his activities on the water. Now, as a semi-retired individual, he continues to find solace and fulfillment in fishing, drawing upon his vast knowledge and experiences from a lifetime spent navigating the oceans.

Scope and Content Note
The interviewee discusses the history and development of clamming in the area. He mentions that clamming began in the early 1950s when boats were brought in to catch clams off Cape May. Initially, smaller boats were used, but larger boats were later introduced. The narrator talks about the growth of the industry, with up to 70-80 boats involved in clamming in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He explains that the clams were primarily sold to Snow Canning Co., which shipped the meat to their plant in Pine Point, Maine, for canning. Over time, the canning facility was relocated to Cape May. The interviewee also discusses changes in clamming technology, such as the introduction of stern-ramp boats in the early 1970s, which made the process more efficient. He describes a significant event in 1976 when a red tide or "kill" occurred, resulting in the death of a large portion of the clams. This event led to a decline in the clam industry in the area. The interviewee also talks about the shift from clamming to scalloping and the relay program, where clams were caught in polluted waters, relocated to cleaner areas, and then sold. He mentions how regulations have made it difficult for experienced fishermen who were used to fishing without restrictions. They talk about the impact of regulations on various fishing activities, such as clamming, dragging, and gillnetting. The narrator explains how regulations and limited entry affected the surf clam industry and how it led to his transition into relay clamming. He appreciates the independence and flexibility that relay clamming provides compared to working with a crew and dealing with regulations. He discusses the fluctuations in profitability over the years and how the industry has changed. The conversation also delves into the challenges faced by farmers and their struggles with land taxes and fluctuating crop prices. They discuss the increasing regulations in the fishing industry, the involvement of scientists in determining fish populations, and the disconnect between their findings and the experiences of fishermen. They express frustration with the lack of trust and communication between fishermen and the government agencies responsible for regulations. The interviewee expresses frustration with the issue of by-catch, where unintended species are caught during targeted fishing. They question why fishermen are required to throw the by-catch back into the water when it could be brought in and sold. He argues for gear regulation as a means to address the problem and believe that fishermen would prefer such regulations. The interviewee also discusses hs perspective on the effectiveness of the council and commission responsible for fisheries management. The conversation concludes with the interviewee mentioning his involvement in various organizations related to fishing and expressing appreciation for the more relaxed regulations in their area, while acknowledging the importance of health concerns in seafood consumption.


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