Eugene Connors
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.
Janice Gadaire Fleuriel
Eugene Connors is a former commercial fisherman and fishery researcher who worked in the industry from 1960 to 1981. He was involved in scalloping and dragging in New Bedford, having originally come from a small fishing community in Stonington, CT. After his fishing career, Connors worked for the New England Fishery Development Foundation as the vessel site coordinator for a project called "Quality at Sea," which aimed to improve the quality of seafood being landed in New England ports by applying Scandinavian methods of handling product at sea. He is passionate about the potential for the fishing industry to explore opportunities and ideas rather than focusing on fighting problems.
Stephen Worden is a former chef who transitioned into a role as a chef instructor after twenty-eight years in the restaurant business. He teaches culinary arts, allowing him to continue his passion for cooking while also educating others. Worden is a strong advocate for the quality of frozen fish, arguing that consumers often don't realize that frozen can be of higher quality than fresh.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with Eugene Connors and Stephen Worden, conducted by Millie Rahn on September 26, 2004, provides insight into the lives and careers of two individuals deeply involved in the seafood industry. The interview covers a range of topics, including their personal histories, their work in the fishing and food industries, and their perspectives on issues such as seafood quality, industry standards, and the potential for innovation in the industry. The interview also touches on broader themes such as the changes in the family aspect of New Bedford fishing work, the role of fish auctions, and the challenges and opportunities facing the seafood industry.
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