Fishtales

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Laura Orleans, Patricia Pinto da Silva
  • Fishtales was a collaborative effort between the Working Waterfront Festival and the Social Services Branch of the Northeast Fisheries Science of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Fishermen and others connected to the working waterfront who attended the 2012 and 2013 Working Waterfront Festival in New Bedford were invited to share short stories on a variety of topics such as storms, close calls, unusual catches, workplace pranks, tales from the home front, and more. Project leaders were Laura Orleans and Patricia Pinto da Silva.

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Amelia Bailey Fishtales

Ms. Bailey tells about the various fish she has caught while recreational fishing.

 

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
Tammy Frye Fishtales

Tammy Frye is a former fisherman as well as the daughter, wife and mother of fishermen. She tells about the loss of her two grandfathers at sea, her time fishing with her husband, how she found out she was pregnant, and the decisions her sons have made about their careers at sea.

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
Kathleen Reed Fishtales

Ms. Reed operated a bed and breakfast in Fairhaven, MA for many years. She tells the story about visiting the New Bedford fish auction which used to take place in the Wharfinger Building on Pier 3.

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
Ethan Bailey Fishtales

Mr. Bailey tells about his experience recreational fishing.

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
Bill Gell Fishtales

Bill Gell was a pilot who flew a spotter plane for swordfishermen in the 1970's and 1980's. He shares the story of a practical joke he played on Rodney Avila as well as life as a pilot.

 

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
Robert Richardson Fishtales

Bob Richardson is the son of a fisherman and was a fisherman before becoming a minister. He talks about life on his father's boat, his one fall overboard, and how the sea gets into your blood.

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
Ariele Baker Fishtales

Ms. Baker tells a story about a trip she took as an observer for NOAA.

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
Fernando Gonzalez Fishtales

Fernando Gonzalez was born in Guatemala City. After coming to the United States, he began shrimping out of Bayou La Batre, AL. He has been a commercial fisherman for over 30 years, fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, San Pedro, CA and New England. He discusses his own close calls and the loss of several of the New Bedford fleet.

Ace Elijah-Burgess, Dave Martins New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
Frances Rodrigues Fishtales

Frances Rodrigues has been the wife of a scalloper for over 30 years. She talks about pranks, close calls, life at home and other aspects of a fishing families life.

 

Ace Elijah-Burgess, Dave Martins New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
Galon "Skip" Barlow Fishtales

Galon "Skip" Barlow is a long time fishermen from Cape Cod. He tells about a trip he took into Buzzards Bay forty years ago. 

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival