John Mitchell, Joey Evangelista, Jamie Campbell, and Steven Kenney

John Mitchell, Joey Evangelista, Jamie Campbell, and Steven Kenney Image
Location of Interview
Collection Name

Voices of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum 2019

Description

Voices of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum 2019 is a project of Maine Sea Grant, The First Coast, College of the Atlantic, and the Island Institute, with support from the Maine Fishermen’s Forum Board of Directors.

Date of Interview
03-01-2019
Transcribers

Giulia Cardoso

Audio
Biographical Sketch

John Mitchell, Joey Evangelista, Jamie Campbell, and Steven Kenney are high school students from Mount Desert Island, ME, who were part of the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries’ Eastern Maine Skippers Program as well as commercial fishermen of their own.

Scope and Content Note

In this interview, they share their work done through the Skippers Program, their appreciation of island life, and their experiences in the industry as young fishermen. They talk about their personal fishing histories and how they got involved in the industry. John Mitchell shares his experience as a lobsterman and scalloper, and his father's involvement in offshore scallop fishing. Joey Evangelista discusses his return to MDI and his passion for lobstering. Jamie Campbell talks about starting fishing at a young age and his experiences as a sternman. They mention the challenges and issues faced by the fishing community. John Mitchell talks about the decline of the groundfish industry in the past and the recent increase in fish stocks. They discuss the potential of tapping into the resource and the importance of securing good prices for the fish. The conversation also touches on other fishing activities like halibut fishing and diving for scallops and urchins. They highlight the freedom and sense of community they experience living in Maine and express their hopes to continue fishing in the future.


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