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 ascending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Nancy C. Quintin Fishtales

Nancy Quintin is the daughter of an Azorean whaleman and the husband of a scallop captain for 30+ years. She tells the story of when she was pregnant and was on the radio with her husband.

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
Bill Adler Fishtales

Bill Adler, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association, began lobstering in 1963 and has remained involved in the industry since. He started by gathering sea moss off the coast of Marshfield and transitioned to lobstering. Adler holds a master's degree in English and taught school while continuing to lobster. He has been involved in the politics of the lobstering industry and holds positions in various commissions and organizations, including the Lobster Institute.

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
Nancy C. Quintin Fishtales

Mrs. Quintin tells of how the flavor of raw scallops differs from different parts of the ocean.

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

Rodney Avila is a retired commercial fisherman who fished for over 60 years. He is a fourth generation fisherman, his son is the fifth generation. He tells a few stories from his career about storms at sea, pranks and jokes, unusual catches, and his worse trip.

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
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
Thomas Quintin, Jr. Fishtales

Captain Quintin is a third generation fisherman. He tells of a few stories from his career including a prank he pulled on a crew member, the Perfect Storm, and an deck accident which happened to one of his crew.

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