Woody Bowers is a former fisherman and captain who fished for 17 years and then went on occasional fishing trips. Woody Bowers used to fish for codfish, haddock, flounders, and yellow tails, among other species, and the boat he worked on could carry up to two hundred thousand pounds of fish. The boat mostly fished on Georges Bank, where Bowers looked for the species of fish he wanted based on his past experience.

Scope and Content Note
Mr. Bowers, joined by his daughter Sue Murray and son-in-law Rodey Murray, discusses his life as a commercial fisherman in New Bedford, Massachusetts.  Bowers talks about his experiences in the Merchant Marines during World War II, fishing for different types of fish, and the regulations that allotted certain amounts of each type of fish. Sue Murray is the daughter of Woody Bowers and shared what it was like growing up as the child of a fisherman. Rodey Murray is a current fisherman and captain, who talked about the changes in the fishing industry and the future of the fishery. New Bedford used to be the number one port in the world for fish landings, both in terms of poundage and value. Bowers retired from fishing over ten years ago, but he still thinks that the regulations on fishing today are a good idea and have saved the fishing industry. He has no children in the industry, but he believes that there are plenty of young people from different nationalities, such as Portuguese and Newfoundlanders, who are interested in becoming fishermen. When Bowers was fishing, crews were usually composed of six to seven men, and crew members came from various backgrounds. Woody Bowers and his nephew Rodey Murray discuss their family's history of fishing and their experiences as fishermen. Woody recounts his journey from Nova Scotia to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he found work on a fishing boat. He describes the challenges faced by immigrants, including the language barrier and lack of money. Woody also talks about the boats he worked on, including one that sank after thieves stole all the alcohol and dismantled the vessel. The three narrators discuss migration patterns of fishermen from Newfoundland and Cape Breton, who would come to the United States to work during the winter months. However, tighter border controls put an end to this practice. Rodey discusses his experiences as a captain of a scallop boat, noting the changes he has seen in the fishing industry. While there have been positive changes, such as better pay, there are also more regulations that make it harder for boat owners to make a living. Rodey stresses the importance of conservation, but also highlights the need to strike a balance between conservation and the economic interests of fishermen. The conversation ends with a discussion of the importance of preserving fishing traditions and the memories of those who have worked in the industry for generations.