This narrator was born and raised in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Despite not coming from a fishing family, he developed a passion for fishing at a young age. The narrator started working for a local fisherman when he was around ten years old, helping with tasks like picking nets and baiting. By the age of twelve, he obtained his own fishing license and began his fishing career. Throughout the interviewee’s fishing career, he primarily focused on gillnetting and fished in various locations, including Point Pleasant and Cape May. He also engaged in offshore fishing for shark and tuna using long lines during the summer months.

Scope and Content Note
During the interview, the interviewee expresses concerns about the changing dynamics in the fishing industry and the impact of regulations on their livelihood. He discusses how the process of obtaining fishing licenses had become more restricted, making it difficult for young people to enter the industry. The narrator also voices frustrations about the influence of environmentalists and the perception that fishermen are depleting fish populations. He believes that the restrictions imposed were not necessarily based on scientific evidence but rather influenced by politics and the agendas of certain interest groups. In terms of the community and cultural aspects of fishing, he notes that fishing used to be an integral part of Point Pleasant's identity. However, he feels that over time, the fishing community had been marginalized and faced hostility from recreational boaters who believed that commercial fishermen were depleting the fish stocks. The interviewee also discusses the decline in the fishing fleet, with many fishermen transitioning to other types of fishing or leaving the industry altogether. The narrator believes that some regulations are necessary to prevent overfishing but criticize the way they are applied, calling it discriminatory and influenced by corruption. He feels that regulations should be more balanced and allow fishermen to benefit from the available resources. The interviewee discusses the abundance of striped bass and attributes it to natural factors such as habitat and reproduction patterns, rather than regulations. The interviewee continues to highlight the bureaucratic challenges he faces, including extensive paperwork and reporting requirements. He expresses the need for computerization to simplify the process and reduce the burden on fishermen. The interviewee criticizes the management decisions of the fishery councils and perceives corruption and unfairness in their decision-making. The interviewee mentions the importance of gear diversification and the costs associated with acquiring different types of gear for various fish species. The narrator discusses the marketing of their catch and mentions that he hasalways relied on the cooperative to sell their fish. He says there used to be more docks in the area but some of them, like Swedes and Carlsons, are no longer operational. He also talks about private packing by individual fishermen, which is less common now due to regulations that require selling to licensed dealers. When asked about their future plans, the interviewee expresses a desire for retirement in the next 10 years and hopes to have someone else run the boat eventually. He discusses the uncertainty of the fishing industry, particularly with permits and changing regulations, which affects the value and security of investments.  Finally, the interviewee emphasizes the need for a fisherman's advocate to address the concerns and challenges faced by commercial fishermen.