Fishtales | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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 Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation Collection
Alan Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler shares two stories from his life as a fisherman and the son of a fisherman.

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival Fishtales
Albert M. Bruce, III

Mr. Bruce tells the story of when his family was fishing in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, during a family vacation.

 

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

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 Fishtales
Annie Humiston

Annie Humiston tells three stories of her time as a deck hand in the Pacific Northwest.

 

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

Ms. Baker tells a story about a trip she took as an observer for NOAA.

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

Bill Adler discusses his career, how he began his life on the ocean gathering sea moss before becoming a lobsterman. He shares as to why he loves his work and why he continues to do it. He serves as the Executive Director of the Mass Lobstermen's Association as well as sitting on boards and committees associated with the industry.

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

Bill Gell was a pilot who flew a spotter plane for swordfishermen in the 1970's and 1980's. He shares the story of a practical joke he played on Rodney Avila as well as life as a pilot.

 

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

Bradford Hathaway was a reporter for the New Bedford, MA Standard Times. He covered the waterfront for a number years. He recounts a few stories from his career including the loss of two fishing vessels and a visit on a Russian fishing vessel.

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

Brian Lee began his fishing career on a long liner. He tells the story of how he survived a serious injury on deck. He now is a commercial rod and reel fisherman out of Fairhaven, Massachusetts.

 

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

Ms. Enoksen discusses what life is like as a fisherman's wife.

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

By clicking the "I understand" button you acknowledge that the Voices Oral History Archives offers public access to a wide range of accounts, including historical materials, that may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes.

Voices Oral History Archives does not  edit or verify  the accuracy of materials submitted to us. These interviews are presented as part of the historical record.  The opinions expressed in the interviews are those of the interviewee only.

The interviews here have been made available to the public only after the interviewer has confirmed that they have obtained consent from the interviewee.