Armando Estudante is a male fisherman and entrepreneur of Portuguese descent. Born in Portugal, he immigrated to the United States in 1978 at the age of 50s, initially visiting his parents in Philadelphia. However, during a trip to New Bedford to explore the whaling museum, he discovered the city's vibrant fishing community and decided to settle there permanently. Armando had prior experience in the fishing industry in Portugal, having worked on merchant vessels and factory trawlers. In Portugal, he was in charge of a fleet of boats for a fishing company. Armando and his wife recognized the greater opportunities for capital and entrepreneurship in the United States, leading them to choose New Bedford as their new home. Armando and his wife established themselves in New Bedford and became legal residents. Armando started working on fishing boats, gradually transitioning from larger ships to fishing vessels. In 1980, they purchased a house in New Bedford, where they still reside. Two years later, they bought their first boat, and over time, they expanded their fleet to a total of four boats. However, they prefer to operate a single boat with a crew, enabling them to maintain a hands-on approach and take care of the boat themselves. Throughout his career, Armando has been involved in both groundfishing and scalloping. To adapt to the changes in the fishing industry, particularly the introduction of days-at-sea regulations, Armando obtained permits for both groundfishing and scalloping. He fishes in areas such as George's Bank and the Gulf of Maine, exploring fishing grounds from Maryland up to the Canadian border. Armando acknowledges the challenging nature of scalloping, which often involves backbreaking work. However, he expresses optimism about the industry's future, as scalloping has become lucrative, allowing his crew to save for retirement.

Scope and Content Note:
The interview with Armando Estudante, conducted on September 24, 2005, provides valuable insights into his personal and professional life as a fisherman and entrepreneur in New Bedford. The interview touches upon various aspects of his journey, including his immigration experience, connection to the fishing industry in Portugal and the United States, the decision to settle in New Bedford, and his involvement in both groundfishing and scalloping. Armando shares his observations and perspectives on the fishing industry's present state and its future prospects. He discusses the challenges faced by fishermen, advancements in boat technology and safety, and the impact of regulations on the industry. Additionally, Armando reflects on the role of management in sustaining the fishing industry and the need to strike a balance between fishing effort and resource conservation. Furthermore, the interview delves into Armando's personal life, such as his family dynamics, his wife's role in managing the household while he is away at sea and the historical significance of women's roles in fishing communities. Armando also shares his experiences with cooking, his exploration of different dishes, and the importance of providing good meals to keep the crew satisfied during fishing trips. Estudante discusses the state of the fishing industry and his optimistic outlook on its future. He reflects on his experience as a fisherman during the period of declining fish stocks and the impact it had on his fish processing plant. He emphasizes the changing nature of the industry and the challenges associated with managing fish populations and making decisions based on scientific assessments. Armando shares his belief that fish stocks are not as depleted as they may seem and highlights the use of large mesh nets in the United States, which catch only large fish. He questions whether this approach is the right one and expresses his confidence that the fishing industry will find the right balance over time through trial and error. The conversation shifts to the topic of immigration and its role in the fishing industry. Armando explains how the lack of new blood and exchange of populations has affected the industry, attributing it to the homogenization of world economies and reduced incentives for people to immigrate. He highlights the historical significance of immigration in fishing communities and expresses hope that immigration will play a greater role in the future. The discussion concludes with a focus on Armando's newfound interest in cooking. He shares how he started cooking out of necessity to provide decent meals for the crew and the importance of good food in maintaining a happy and productive crew. Armando admits that he is not a professional cook but has learned basic and more complex dishes with the help of his wife and daughter. He describes the role of cooking as a topic of conversation and relaxation on the boat and expresses his enjoyment in experimenting with different ingredients and flavors. Armando mentions his upcoming cooking demonstration, where he plans to prepare a fish stew similar to the ones served on the boats. However, he notes that for safety reasons, he will not include fish with bones in the demonstration, as he wants to avoid any choking hazards for the audience.