John Williams

Location of Interview
Collection Name

Assessing Vulnerability and Resilience in Maine Fishing Communities

Description

This project developed a participatory, place-based approach for assessing the vulnerability and resilience of Maine fishing communities, documenting threats and resources available to respond to those threats. To understand the forces driving vulnerability, Johnson and graduate students Cameron Thompson and Anna Henry worked with community stakeholders to identify opportunities and strategies for improving resilience of fishing communities. They produced a summary report, entitled, “In Their Own Words: Fishermen’s Perspectives of Community Resilience.” 

Once upon a time, Maine fishermen and women harvested a diversity of species, from groundfish and herring to lobsters, clams, shrimp, and scallops, depending on market conditions and resource abundance. Today, Maine’s fishing culture is concentrated in 50 coastal communities and is overwhelmingly dependent on lobster, while regulations have restricted other fisheries. Since 1990, the number of vessels landing groundfish in Maine dropped from 350 to 70. At least 72 groundfish permits have been lost, and dramatic changes in management are imminent, leading Johnson to wonder, “How vulnerable are Maine’s fishing communities? What can be done to improve their resiliency to future change?”

These are the questions that federal fisheries managers must ask when assessing the impact of new rules, yet too often they don’t have the right data to answer the questions. This project developed a participatory, place-based approach for assessing the vulnerability and resilience of Maine fishing communities, documenting threats and resources available to respond to those threats. To understand the forces driving vulnerability, Johnson and graduate students Cameron Thompson and Anna Henry worked with community stakeholders to identify opportunities and strategies for improving resilience of fishing communities.

Interviewer
Date of Interview
06-23-2011
Transcribers

National Capital Contracting 

DOI
doi.org/10.25923/ANZP-AA04
Audio
Biographical Sketch

John Williams is a seasoned commercial fisherman hailing from Stonington with a lineage deeply rooted in the maritime tradition. His initiation into the fishing world began in his formative years, working alongside his father, which laid the foundation for the eventual captaincy of his own vessel. Williams' expertise spans a diverse array of fishing methods, including lobstering, groundfishing, and scalloping, showcasing his adaptability and depth of knowledge within the industry. Despite his sons choosing paths divergent from fishing, Williams' passion for the craft remains undiminished, as he expresses a willingness to mentor the younger generation aspiring to navigate the waters of this profession. His narrative is not just a personal chronicle but also a reflection of a family's generational bond with the sea. Although his family's legacy in fishing is robust, it faces an uncertain future, with the next generation opting for different careers. Nonetheless, Williams stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the fishing community, embodying both its heritage and its evolution over the years.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with John Williams offers a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted challenges and dynamics of the commercial fishing industry. Williams delves into the rigorous demands of the profession, highlighting the extensive hours, the escalating costs associated with land, and the intricate web of regulations governing fishing licenses. He emphasizes the critical role of community support in sustaining the industry and shares insights into the operational aspects of fishing, including crew management, boat speed, and the intricacies of scallop fishing. Williams' narrative is punctuated with personal anecdotes that illustrate the practicalities of fishing trips, crew sizes, and the influence of mesh sizes on catch volumes. He advocates for the integration of fisheries education within high school curricula to better equip the youth facing the industry's hurdles. Furthermore, Williams recounts his progression from groundfishing on another's vessel to securing his own permit and gear, navigating the financial and logistical challenges therein. His account extends to the historical fluctuations in fish and lobster populations, the evolution of fishing techniques from gill netting to longlining, and the economic pressures from market forces and regulatory constraints. Williams' oral history encapsulates the essence of a fisherman's life, marked by constant adaptation to environmental, regulatory, and economic changes, and underscores the resilience required to thrive in this enduring yet volatile industry.


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