Eva Liput is a fishing vessel captain and a Polish immigrant who moved to the United States in 1986. She grew up in Poland, where her father worked as a fisherman on George's Bank. Eva developed an interest in sailing at a young age, influenced by her older brother who was a sailor. After immigrating to the United States, Eva first settled in Newport, Rhode Island, before eventually moving to New Bedford, Massachusetts. In 1986, she started working as a deckhand on the fishing vessel Michigan, a scalloper.

Donna Goodwin is a seasoned professional in the fishing industry, specifically in the area of splicing. Born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts, she comes from a long line of fishermen, with her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all having been involved in the industry. Donna was taught how to splice three-strand ropes at the age of seven by her father. She later worked for New England Ropes for about 20 years before starting her own splicing business, the Splice Girls, with her daughter.

Donna Cunio is a 51-year-old woman from Norwell, Massachusetts. She is the wife of a retired merchant marine captain who now serves as the manager of the New Bedford State Pier. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Donna has a deep appreciation for the maritime industry, particularly the hard work of longshoremen and fishermen. Despite not being raised near the water, Donna has a strong connection to the sea through her husband's career. She occasionally joined him on his trips, experiencing first-hand the hard work and dedication of the crew.

Diane Flynn is a female inshore shellfisher and clam shack owner from Bourne, Massachusetts. She was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, but grew up in Bourne. Flynn has been involved in the fishing industry for over twenty-seven years, having entered the industry through her partner. She and her partner operate small boats for inshore fishing in Bourne, Massachusetts. Flynn's work involves not only fishing but also culling and packing clams. Over the years, she has seen the industry evolve and has witnessed the challenges faced by young people trying to enter the industry.

Dave Martins is a 35-year-old fisheries technician at SMAST (School for Marine Science and Technology) based in New Bedford. He was born on October 22, 1971, at Saint Annes Hospital in Fall River, Massachusetts, to Azorean/Portuguese parents who immigrated from the island of Saint Michael in the Azores, Portugal. Despite his family not being directly involved in fishing, it was a significant part of their life, both for recreation and home consumption.

Dave Densmore and Pat Densmore are a married couple who have both worked as fishermen. Dave Densmore is a male fisherman who hails from Kodiak, Alaska, and has fished from the same port. Pat Densmore is a female fisherman who has also worked as a farmer. They both have a deep connection to the fishing industry and have firsthand experience in the challenges and rewards of this occupation.

Carol Brown, a 70-year-old Irish woman, is a fisherman's wife from Gloucester. She is the daughter-in-law of Frank Brown Sr., a Portuguese fisherman who immigrated to the United States from Pico Island in the Azores. Carol married into a fishing family, and her husband, also of Portuguese descent, followed in his father's footsteps. She is known for her insights into the fishing industry and her connection to the legacy of Frank Brown Sr.

Ann Jardin-Maynard works in the settlement business within the fishing industry. Born in New Bedford in 1962 to European American parents of Azorean descent, she grew up in a community rich in Portuguese heritage, particularly in the south end of New Bedford. After completing her college education, she became involved in the fishing industry by taking an accounting job at Kevin Dawson's firm in 1985. She eventually became a partner in the business in 1988. Her work involves various aspects of financial management for boat owners and their corporations.

Ms. Sanfilippo, from an Italian fishing family, lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts. She is the Executive Director of the Gloucester Fisherman's Wives Association, an advocacy group for the fishing industry. Born in the fishing village of Porticello in Sicily, Angela acquired substantial knowledge from her grandfather about boat technologies and weather patterns. 

Amy Van Atten, born in 1968 in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a dedicated professional in the field of marine conservation. Growing up as the oldest of five children, Amy aspired to study whaling and marine mammals, particularly focusing on the impacts of whaling and the reasons behind it. Over time, her passion evolved to include fisheries and accidental interactions between marine mammals and fishing activities.