Edward Barrett
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project is an ongoing oral history project documenting the history and culture of the commercial fishing industry and other port trades. The project was begun in 2004 in conjunction with the Working Waterfront Festival, an annual, education celebration of commercial fishing culture which takes place in New Bedford, MA. Interviewees have included a wide range of individuals connected to the commercial fishing industry and/or other aspects of the port through work or familial ties. While the majority of interviewees are from the port of New Bedford, the project has also documented numerous individuals from other ports around the country. Folklorist and Festival Director Laura Orleans and Community Scholar/Associate Director Kirsten Bendiksen are Project Leaders. The original recordings reside at the National Council for the Traditional Arts in Maryland with listening copies housed at the Festival's New Bedford office.
Sharon Pollard-Waldron
Edward Barrett is a seasoned commercial fisherman with over three decades of experience in the fishing industry. Born in Boston in 1955, Barrett grew up in the coastal town of Marshfield, Massachusetts, where he was exposed to the ocean and fishing from an early age. His first role models in the industry were his older cousin and his friends, who were involved in mossing. Barrett's career in fishing began after he completed college. He initially worked as a sternman and crewman on boats before attending a fishing school at the University of Rhode Island. In 1979, he bought his first boat and began his journey as a commercial fisherman. Throughout his career, Barrett has fished out of various ports including Plymouth, Marshfield, Hyannis, and Nantucket. He currently operates a small day boat dragger and resides in Marshfield. In addition to his fishing activities, Barrett is also the President of the Massachusetts Fisherman’s Partnership, where he is actively involved in the management process of the fishing industry. Barrett has been involved in actions aimed at supporting local fishermen and has expressed concern over the loss of community fishing ports.
Scope and Content Note
Edward Barrett, a commercial fisherman from Marshfield, Massachusetts, covers various topics related to the fishing industry. Barrett discusses issues such as trip limits, species restrictions, rolling closures, and catch allocation programs. He also talks about the changes he has witnessed in the industry over the years and emphasizes the importance of the fishing industry to local communities. Additionally, he addresses the strengths and challenges of the fishing community, including regulations, ocean development, and pollution. Barrett expresses concerns about the future of the industry, particularly with regards to the catcher allocation program and potential consolidation of small ports. He highlights the significance of community support and the role of organizations like the Massachusetts Fisherman's Partnership in addressing common issues faced by fishermen.
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