Ellsworth High School - Maine

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Joyce Whitmore
  • These interviews were conducted as part of Ellsworth High School's participation in the NOAA Fisheries Service  (NMFS) Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project 2003-2005.  All 10th graders participated in this interdisciplinary project that involved English, History, Social Studies, and Biology classes. To read about the LFK Project, go to http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/lfkproject/.

Interviewee Sort ascending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
John Crossman Ellsworth High School - Maine

John Crossman has been a lobster fisherman for 23 years, starting in Frenchboro, an island off the coast. John learned fishing from his father. He currently fishes off Bass Harbor, Mount Desert Island, but keeps his fishing spots secret.

Tom Crossman, Aaron Burton, Donald Awalt Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Jim Stanley Ellsworth High School - Maine

Jim Stanley is a lobsterman based in Ellsworth, Maine. Born and raised in the area, Jim comes from a family with a strong fishing background. His stepfathers, brothers, and nephews are all involved in the fishing industry, making it a family tradition. Jim started fishing at the age of thirteen, accompanying his uncle and cousin on fishing trips out of Bartlett's Island. Over time, he developed a passion for lobstering and eventually acquired his own boat, a seventeen-foot vessel that he uses to haul traps.

Morgan MacKenzie, Hollie Stanley, Sally Stanley Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Jennifer Vose Ellsworth High School - Maine

Jennifer Vose is a naturalist and marine researcher working for the Marine Environmental Research Institute. Based in Blue Hill, Maine, she spends her summers as a naturalist on their boat trips, educating the general public about the local ecology and marine habitat. With a focus on teaching people about the intricacies of the ecosystem, Jennifer's work involves hauling up lobster traps, studying the species caught, and explaining their anatomy, life cycles, and ecological significance. Her aim is to raise awareness about the local environment and promote conservation efforts.

Courtney Ray, Rachael Wing Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Jane Langley Ellsworth High School - Maine

Jane Langley is the co-owner of Union River Lobster Pot, a seafood restaurant located in Ellsworth, Maine. Born in Michigan, Jane moved to Southwest Harbor at a young age and later settled in Ellsworth. With a background in the restaurant industry, Jane and her husband operated the Oak Point Lobster Pound for ten years before deciding to venture into something new. In 2005, they purchased a property on South Street and built the Union River Lobster Pot.

Chris Johnston, Felicia Hill, Jessica Carter, Steve Weisman Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Jamie Perry Ellsworth High School - Maine

Jamie and Annie Perry are a husband and wife who reside in Ellsworth, Maine. Jamie has been a lobsterman for approximately fourteen to fifteen years. His decision to become a lobster fisherman was influenced by his family's long-standing tradition in the fishing industry. The couple has children, and Mrs. Perry has had to adjust to the seasonal nature of Jamie's work, as lobster fishing provides income for only about five to six months of the year.

Chris Archer, Emily Edgecomb, Amy Hodge, Brian Jordan Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Herbert Hodgkins Ellsworth High School - Maine

Herb Hodgkins is a renowned figure in the lobster industry, known for his expertise as a lobster fisherman, entrepreneur, and researcher. Born and raised in Hancock, Maine, Herb was exposed to the world of lobster fishing at a young age, accompanying his father on fishing trips. From being a curious helper to occasionally being a little nuisance, Herb developed a deep-rooted connection to the lobster industry. Although Herb didn't pursue lobster fishing as a full-time occupation, he remained closely involved in various other aspects of the industry.

Devin Pickard, Jonathan DeGiosafatto, Khem Millay, Senait Millay , Yohannes Millay Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Heath and Lee Hudson Ellsworth High School - Maine

Heath and Lee Hudson are mussel fishermen and entrepreneurs based in Maine. Heath Hudson owns a thirty-three-foot dragger named the Ms. Daisy, which was originally a lobster boat converted into a dragging vessel for mussel harvesting. The Hudsons operate the Frenchmen Bay Mussel Company, which was initially started by Heath's father. After his father retired, Heath purchased his boat and continued the family business.

Amanda Close, Kellie Gonyea Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Fred Hersom Ellsworth High School - Maine

Fred Hersom is a lobster fisherman who first went out fishing with his father when he was six years old. He discusses the weather, bait, number of traps, sale of lobsters, rules, and regulations, and a typical day in the life of a fisherman. He fishes out of Stonington, Maine, and usually sets out four to five hundred traps.

Kim Tupper, Kim Crane, Ben Rudolph Ellsworth Falls, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
David Sargent Ellsworth High School - Maine

David Sargent is a lobster fisherman, clam digger, and sea urchin and scallop diver.  Sargent's boat is 22 feet long, and he has 275 traps. He has one additional person who helps with tasks like filling bait bags and cleaning traps. He primarily uses herring and hide as bait, which can be challenging to obtain at certain times of the year.

Kristin Wing, Elizabeth Miller, Danielle Werner Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project
Danner Curtis Ellsworth High School - Maine

Danner Curtis is a lobsterman based in Blue Hill Bay, Maine. Curtis did not come from a fishing family and was able to start fishing after filling out a Maine state license. There are now permit programs in place, including a student program that allows students to fish 150 traps in the summer as long as they attend college.

Anthony Britt, Amy Dalrymple, Matt Burton, Ben Deckers Ellsworth, ME NOAA/NMFS Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project