Anonymous, #22

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
03-06-2007
Transcript
Biographical Sketch

The interviewee, a 58-year-old man born in Cape May in 1947, has spent his entire life in the fishing industry. Coming from a family of fishermen with roots in Norway and Finland, he is a third-generation fisherman. After graduating from high school in 1965, he began fishing full-time and gained experience in various fisheries, including porgies, flounder, yellowtail, and cod. In the early 1970s, he started scalloping as a way to avoid traveling to New England during the summer months. Eventually, he became an owner/operator of his own boats.

Scope and Content Note
This interview features a 58-year-old fisherman who has spent his entire life in Cape May, New Jersey, engaged in various fishing activities. Born into a family with a strong fishing background, he followed in the footsteps of his ancestors and started fishing full-time after high school. The interviewee shares insights into his family's fishing heritage, his experiences in different fisheries, and the changes he has witnessed in the industry over the years. From his early days dragging for porgies and flounder to later focusing on scalloping, he reflects on the challenges, regulations, and the impact of state restrictions on his fishing operations. The interviewee also discusses the dynamics of the fishing community, the camaraderie among fishermen, and the evolving role of docks in owning and controlling fishing vessels. He highlights the economic factors that influenced his decision to transition away from flounder fishing and focus on the more lucrative scallop industry. The narrator talks about scallop permits and the number of boats in the industry, estimating around a dozen in the smaller boat category in the past. He discusses the fishing industry's impact on fishing families in the 1950s and 1960s, with an estimate of around 150 people involved. The number of boats has increased significantly in recent years, especially due to the abundance of scallops. The interviewee touches on the issue of overfishing and the negative consequences it has on the fishery and expresses his disappointment in the mismanagement of fisheries and the depletion of certain areas. The narrator discusses the use of technology and electronics in fishing, and mentions that it has made fishing easier and safer. The conversation also covers the interviewee’s personal experiences in the fishing industry, such as starting out as a scalloper and later switching to dragging. He briefly discusses the impact of retirees moving to Cape May and the changes in the community, as well as his perspective on the relationship between commercial fishermen and environmentalists. Finally, the narrator expresses his concerns about the future of the fishing industry and the need for proper management to prevent overfishing.


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