On July 3, 2000, Steve Warrick interviewed Flo Sharkey as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history collection. Flo, a dedicated baywoman from Long Island, comes from a family deeply rooted in the fishing and shellfishing industry. Flo explains the various methods she uses when clamming and discusses the types of clams she gathers. She learned the trade from her brother and father and shares insights about treading and scratch raking. Flo mentions the importance of following the clammers' code of ethics and the territorial nature of clamming, with people becoming upset if someone encroaches on their work area. Due to the competitive nature of clamming, earning fifty percent of your wages from clamming is necessary to obtain a license. Flo reflects on the changing dynamics in the industry, noting that in the past, many clammers were college students earning money to support their education. However, regulations now require clams to be sold within one hour of docking. As she has grown older, she has come to appreciate the significance of preserving family traditions. Flo's father wanted them to be self-sufficient and capable of taking care of themselves while working on the bay. She speaks of her brother teaching her son the art of razor clamming, continuing the family tradition. However, Flo expresses concern about the future of the bay, believing it won't be there for the next generation. She mentions the impact of water quality on clamming, with many clammers exposed to diseases from the water. Flo also laments the destruction of wetlands, which act as natural filters to keep the water clean. Flo reminisces about the bay's past, where thousands of people worked as baymen. Nowadays, seeing two clammers at once is considered a lot. She recalls a time when baymen would help one another, emphasizing the sense of community that has been lost. In winter, Flo engages in oystering on the North Shore, a different way of life compared to clamming. Despite the challenges, Flo describes her life on the bay as hard yet fulfilling. When asked what she would tell others about working on the bay, Flo states, "It's a hard life, it's a fun life, and you have to love it to do it."