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 Sort descending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Cindy Follett-Guldemond Fishtales

Cindy Follett-Guldemond is the daughter and sister of commercial fishermen. She talks about a trip seining with her family as well as a three day adventure to Block Island.

 

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
Corey Wheeler-Forrest Fishtales

Ms. Wheeler-Forrest tells two stories about her life as a third generation trap fisherman.

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

Dave Blodgett tells his fish story which takes place on Lake Champlain, Vermont.

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

Dave Casoni has been a lobsterman for 40 years. He discusses how the industry has changed and about his life as a lobsterman.

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

Mr. Ficek has been a fisherman for ten years and talks about life at sea.

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

Ellen Schomer has been a commercial fisherman for over 30 years. She began shucking scallops in Provincetown, MA before crewing on scallopers. She discusses her start in the industry as well as how it is to be a woman in a man's world.

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
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