The narrator is a semi-retired individual in his mid-60s, residing in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, pursuing fishing as a lifelong endeavor.

The narrator is a seasoned commercial fisherman in his early 60s who actively fishes out of Barnegat Light, New Jersey. He began his fishing career before the age of 10 and already assumed the role of a mate by the time he was 14. Throughout his journey, he transitioned to become an owner/operator in the early 1970s, taking full control of his fishing operations. In pursuit of viable fishing opportunities, the narrator temporarily relocated to Florida for a period of 10 years from 1989 to 1990.

The interviewee is a seasoned participant in the fishing industry with a rich familial background in both fishing and farming. His roots trace back to Sweden, where he garnered initial experience in fishing before immigrating to the United States. Settling in Cape May, New Jersey, he witnessed and adapted to significant transformations within the industry, including the shift from wooden to steel vessels and the evolution of fishing techniques and gear.

The narrator was born in Norway and immigrated to the United States at the age of twelve. They initially settled in New Bedford, where they fished for nearly 20 years. In 1976, the narrator moved to Cape May and started operating an 88-foot 'eastern rig' vessel for scalloping. At that time, there were only 3 or 4 full-time scallopers in Cape May.