James H. Bleakley
The Hudson River Maritime Museum’s Hudson River Commercial Fishermen’s Oral History Collection
The Hudson River Maritime Museum’s Hudson River Commercial Fishermen’s Oral History Collection consists of interviews with commercial fishermen conducted in the early 1980s and early 1990s. Locations discussed range from New York City to Albany and time periods from the 1920s to the 1990s. The focus of these interviews is primarily on the decline of the commercial fishing industry, including changes in fishing techniques and gear, changes in water quality and pollution, economic and market changes, and changes in fishing populations, including government regulation.
Content note: Some of the terminology used in these interviews reflects the time period and personalities of the people being interviewed and not that of the Hudson River Maritime Museum or New York Heritage.
You can explore this collection and others at: https://nyheritage.org/collections/oral-histories-hudson-river-commercial-fishermen
On July 31, 1993, Marguerite Holloway interviewed James H. Bleakley in Buchanan, New York. The interview explores Bleakley’s lifelong connection to the Hudson River and its fishing traditions, particularly his experiences with shad and sturgeon fishing. Bleakley discusses the technical and environmental challenges faced by commercial fishermen, including the impact of tides, fish migration patterns, and market fluctuations. He details the transition from traditional stake nets to anchor nets and the significance of understanding the river's unique dynamics for successful fishing. Bleakley also reflects on the evolution of the Hudson River fishing community, the role of family in maintaining these traditions, and the economic and cultural shifts that have influenced the industry over time. He shares anecdotes about his collaborative efforts with biologists, community resilience during tragedies, and the camaraderie among fishermen. The interview highlights the interplay between tradition, environmental stewardship, and adaptation within the Hudson River fishing practices.
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The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. The Voices Oral History Archives offers public access to a wide range of accounts, including historical materials that are products of their particular times, and may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes.
Voices Oral History Archives does not verify the accuracy of materials submitted to us. 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.