Renee Ruscoe is originally from Mississippi but now fishes in the Pacific Northwest. In the first interview, she tells how she came to be a fisherman. She explains about life on a salmon purse seiner, how the seine works, and the day to day life on board. In the second interview, she tells the story about being buried in the net on the deck and how the captain left her there while finishing hauling in the fish. He wrote a poem about the experience which she shares in this interview.

The interviewee is a 25-year-old Guatemalan Mayan woman who works in seafood processing in New Bedford. She grew up in a poor but happy family in Las Canales. Her father left for the United States when she was four, and she stayed with her mother and three siblings. Her family was forced to move from their village due to the violence during the war in Guatemala, and her uncles also left for the United States. Her father is now a fisherman in the United States. She communicates with him via telephone and he helps the family financially.

Nancy Harrington has deep roots in the fishing and processing industry. Starting as a young worker in a sardine factory, she became a steadfast figure in the industry, working as a fish packer.  Nancy’s husband is a lobster fisherman and house painter. Nancy worked at the Stinson Cannery in Prospect Harbor, Maine, for forty-four years.  

Arlene Hartford has spent her life in the coastal communities of Maine. Born in Harrington in 1938, Arlene grew up in a close-knit family with one sister and three brothers. She weathered the challenges of her parents' divorce at a young age, and her mother's determination and dedication ensured that Arlene and her siblings were well-provided for, despite limited resources.

Maria Edalena Ribas, also known as Edalena, was born and raised in Vila Praia da Ancora in Northern Portugal. She and her husband, Luiz, grew up as neighbors and eventually fell in love and married.  With Luiz away, working on factory ships in Germany, Edalena is the primary caretaker of their son Bruno who has health problems.  

Lela Anderson is a Maine native who has spent her life in the close-knit community of Corea, located in Gouldsboro. Born in 1931, Lela grew up in a large family of eight siblings and witnessed the changing landscape of her hometown and the fishing industry that defined it. From an early age, she was involved in blueberry raking and assisting her father with pulpwood work. Her family's connection to the fishing industry extended to her mother's employment at a local sardine plant, which later influenced Lela's own career path.

Shareen Davis is deeply connected to the coastal town of Chatham, where she was born and raised. Growing up in a large family during the 50s, 60s, and 70s, Shareen navigated the challenges of a struggling household. Her family's ties to the fishing industry ran deep, with her maternal grandfather being a pivotal figure in her life. Despite societal gender distinctions of the time, Sharleen defied expectations and embraced a strong voice for fairness and equity, advocating for those who needed support.