Danny Ratfield is a seasoned expert in Florida's coastal areas and fisheries, with nearly 30 years of experience exploring locations like the Florida Keys and the Everglades. He advocates for studying and addressing red tide and water quality issues to restore the natural balance of the ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of sustainable solutions.

Scope and Content Note

Dave Arian was born in 1946 in Los Angeles and grew up in the harbor area near Terminal Island. His father, known as "honest Lou," was a longshoreman and a significant influence on Arian's life. Arian began his career on the waterfront in 1969 and became involved in the labor movement, eventually serving as the international president of the union. He was elected president of Local 13 in 1984, a position he held for a significant period. His commitment to building future leadership marked Arian's involvement in the labor movement.

David Crabbe is a wetfish fisherman, also known as squid fisherman. He explains the complicated practice behind squid fishing starting from the preparation of the boat to the knitting of torn nets; he also shares his fishing experience. He is a first generation fisherman in Monterey Bay, been fishing for more than 25 years, started fishing in high school and worked his way up to earn his first boat. He explains the different type of corks that are used to suspend the net up in surface water.

David Freeman is recognized for his leadership role as the president of the Port Commission in Los Angeles, a position he assumed without prior knowledge of the port's operations. His tenure is marked by a proactive approach to environmental stewardship and community relations. Freeman's initiatives include spearheading a cleanup program aimed at reducing the port's ecological footprint and fostering a more harmonious relationship with the surrounding community.

On August 3, 2007, David Kuhn was interviewed for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish oral history project. David Kuhn, a 63-year-old Black Creek, Wisconsin resident with German and English ancestry, shares his personal history and experiences with sturgeon spearing. Raised in Nichols, Wisconsin, Kuhn recounts how his grandfather's stories about Indigenous sturgeon fishing methods in Royalton sparked his interest in the practice.

On July 10, 1993, Dennis Hardy was interviewed about his life and work as a commercial fisherman in the Hudson River region, focusing on traditional fishing methods, changes in the fishing industry, and the challenges of preserving local fisheries. He discusses his father's influence on his career, the family business, and his experiences with shad and striped bass fishing. Hardy also reflects on environmental changes, including water quality improvements and the impact of regulations on commercial fishing.

Oral history interview with Dennis McCarbery.   

Captain Don Taub was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. Captain Taub, a retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, provides insight into his career, including his role as Captain of the Port of Los Angeles, a position he held from 1976 until his retirement in 1982. Born in Lorain, Ohio, in 1932, Taub grew up in a steel mill and shipbuilding town, experiences that shaped his career in maritime and port operations.

Edward Barrett is a seasoned commercial fisherman with over three decades of experience in the fishing industry. Born in Boston in 1955, Barrett grew up in the coastal town of Marshfield, Massachusetts, where he was exposed to the ocean and fishing from an early age. His first role models in the industry were his older cousin and his friends, who were involved in mossing. Barrett's career in fishing began after he completed college. He initially worked as a sternman and crewman on boats before attending a fishing school at the University of Rhode Island.

Edward "Eddie" Enos Jr. grew up in Falmouth Heights, spending much of his time around the waterfront exploring and fishing. At the age of 12, he had a chance encounter with an experienced fisherman named Joe Joseph, who would become a significant influence in his life. Joe taught Eddie about fishing techniques, shared his knowledge of the local fishing spots, and even gifted him a share of the white perch they caught together. Joe Joseph, an experienced fisherman and entrepreneur, owned the Harvard New Fish Market and had a deep connection to the waterfront community.