Markham Starr

Interviewee Sort ascending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Wesley "Geno" and JoAnne Leech The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project

Geno Leech is a seasoned fisherman and poet hailing from Chinook, Washington. Born in Oregon City, Oregon, Geno's early life was far removed from the sea, with his family involved in farming in the Midwest. However, a chance encounter with a merchant seaman during a hitchhiking adventure sparked his interest in seafaring. He obtained his seaman's papers and embarked on his first voyage on a T-2 Tanker in December 1969. Over the years, Geno has served on almost every type of vessel, from merchant steamers to draggers, drawing inspiration from his experiences at sea to fuel his poetry.

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Working Waterfront Festival
Wayne Whalen The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project

Wayne Whalen is a seasoned professional in the fishing industry, with a lifelong involvement that spans various roles including fisherman, lumper, and machinist. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Whalen currently resides in Cape May, NJ, where he operates a metal fabricating business. His connection to the fishing industry was established through his family, particularly his cousins who were commercial fishermen. Whalen's work has often intersected with the fishing industry, as he has frequently contributed his metalwork skills to the maintenance and repair of commercial boats.

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Working Waterfront Festival
Thomas Quintin, Jr. Fishtales

Captain Quintin is a third generation fisherman. He tells of a few stories from his career including a prank he pulled on a crew member, the Perfect Storm, and an deck accident which happened to one of his crew.

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

Thomas O'Shaughnessy recounts the time he drift dived off Molokini in Hawaii.

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

Tammy Frye is a former fisherman as well as the daughter, wife and mother of fishermen. She tells about the loss of her two grandfathers at sea, her time fishing with her husband, how she found out she was pregnant, and the decisions her sons have made about their careers at sea.

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

Sarah Schumann is a commercial shell fisherwoman in Rhode Island. She currently targets underutilized shellfish species such as razor clams and periwinkles. She tells how she began her commercial fishing career.

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

Rodney Avila is a retired commercial fisherman who fished for over 60 years. He is a fourth generation fisherman, his son is the fifth generation. He tells a few stories from his career about storms at sea, pranks and jokes, unusual catches, and his worse trip.

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

Bob Richardson is the son of a fisherman and was a fisherman before becoming a minister. He talks about life on his father's boat, his one fall overboard, and how the sea gets into your blood.

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

Mr. Violino tells the story of a radio transmission he overheard on the Cape Cod Canal.

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Northeast Fisheries Science Center - NOAA, Working Waterfront Festival
Richard McKnight The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project

Richard McKnight is a seasoned fisherman with a twenty-year career in the King Mackerel fishery in South Florida and Louisiana. Born in Lake Worth, Florida, he now resides in Sebastian, Florida. Despite coming from a non-fishing family, McKnight developed a passion for fishing from a young age. He initially worked in construction after high school but always dreamed of a life at sea. He bought his first boat at the age of twenty-one and, despite initial struggles, he eventually found success in the fishing industry.

Markham Starr New Bedford, MA Working Waterfront Festival