Graying of the Fleet

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Suzanne Russell
  • These oral histories examine the graying phenomenon and implications for the resilience of the commercial fishing industry in two coastal communities in Oregon.

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Gary Anderson Graying of the Fleet

“I did have the opportunity of spending those hours with [my kids] on the boat, which to me is one of the best things that ever came out of it.”

Courtney Leigh Flathers Port Orford, OR Oregon State University Marine Resource Management Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Voices from the West Coast
Steven Hall Graying of the Fleet

Interview with Steven Hall.

Flaxen Conway Newport, OR Oregon State University Marine Resource Management Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Voices from the West Coast
Justin Yager Graying of the Fleet

Interview with Justin Yager.

Deanna Caracciolo Newport, OR Oregon State University Marine Resource Management Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Voices from the West Coast
Jim Auborn Graying of the Fleet

Interview with Jim Auborn.

Courtney Leigh Flathers Port Orford, OR Oregon State University Marine Resource Management Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Voices from the West Coast
John Holt Graying of the Fleet

Interview with John Holt.

Deanna Caracciolo Newport, OR Oregon State University Marine Resource Management Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Voices from the West Coast
Dave Bassett Graying of the Fleet

Dave Bassett is the President of the Rotary Club of Port Orford, and a registered engineer. He was also the State President for the Professional Engineers of Oregon for two years, representing 7,000 registered engineers.

Courtney Leigh Flathers Port Orford, OR Oregon State University Marine Resource Management Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Voices from the West Coast
Phyllis Johns Graying of the Fleet

Interview with Phyllis Johns.

Courtney Leigh Flathers Port Orford, OR Oregon State University Marine Resource Management Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Voices from the West Coast
Kelly Bennette Graying of the Fleet

Interview with Kelly Bennette.

Deanna Caracciolo Newport, OR Oregon State University Marine Resource Management Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Voices from the West Coast
Ray Johnson Graying of the Fleet

Ray Johnson is a member of the Rotary Club of Port Orford, Oregon. He was 91 years old at the time of the interview, in 2016. Ray and his wife, Charlotte Johnson (maiden name Best), moved to Port Orford in 1978 after they retired. They have 3 sons, two that live in Eugene and one that lives in Port Orford. They lived in Los Angeles for many years, Ray working in the aerospace industry and Charlotte working as a nurse. Ray also lived in Australia for 5 to 10 years. They were both very involved in the community, helping start the Sixes Fire District and the Common Good, a local food bank.

Courtney Leigh Flathers Port Orford, OR Oregon State University Marine Resource Management Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Voices from the West Coast
Tom Calvenese Graying of the Fleet

“Now, as older fishermen are getting ready to retire or are retired, what we’re seeing, people are referring to it as the 'graying of the fleet.'”

Courtney Leigh Flathers Port Orford, OR Oregon State University Marine Resource Management Program, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Voices from the West Coast