We lost everything in a matter of hours.

Bill Marinaccio, born and raised in Freeport, New York, is the son of Captain Carmine Marinaccio, a well-known charter boat captain. Growing up in a maritime environment, Bill was introduced to the fishing industry at a young age. He began helping his father with boat maintenance as a child and progressed to more significant roles, including first mate on his father's charter boat. Bill pursued higher education, attending college in 1962, before enlisting in the Army and serving as a military intelligence special agent during the Vietnam War.

Brad Keene is a seasoned boatman with a deep-rooted connection to his family's maritime legacy. Born on April 5, 1988, Brad's passion for the sea was ignited at the age of twelve when he purchased his first boat, Garvey. Growing up in Freeport, he had the privilege of working alongside his father, who owned a dragger, on Woodcleft Canal. Brad's family history in the boating world can be traced back several generations.

Carmen Marinaccio was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1912. His parents were immigrants from Italy, his mother from Basilica, and his father from Accadia. Carmen's family moved to Long Beach, New York. Growing up near the water, he developed a passion for fishing and boating, which became a central part of his life. During the Great Depression, fishing became his primary occupation. Carmen eventually transitioned from charter boatman to making fishing lures and other equipment.

On May 27, 1987, Nancy Solomon interviewed Cory Weyant as part of the Long Island Traditions Oral History Collection. Cory is a full-time commercial fisher from Freeport, New York, who traps eels, killies, crabs, and other finfish. His family lived in the area for over 60 years, and he remembers family boat trips and time spent sailing with his father. Cory discusses the decreased fish population and ties it to the pollution from speedboats and yachts.

Cory Weyant is a seasoned bayman and dragger fisherman with over forty-five years of experience in the industry. He has witnessed significant changes in his line of work, particularly in the Freeport area where he has lived since he was two years old. Weyant's career has spanned several decades, during which he has seen a decline in the number of small trawlers in his area and a dramatic decrease in the abundance of fish. He attributes these changes to overfishing and the advancement of fishing technology. Despite the challenges, Weyant has managed to adapt to the changing circumstances.

Don Kearsley was born in 1940 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and grew up in the nearby town of Linwood on Skull Bay. Kearsley learned fishing skills from the father of a friend, a professional fisherman who operated a seventy-five-foot boat. Kearsley did not come from a family with a fishing background; his interest in fishing developed due to his proximity to the water. His grandfather was from England, and his grandmother was from Ohio.

Frank Cona, a fifth-generation fisherman from Macata, a small town in southern Sicily, Italy, was born on June 7, 1987.  Cona grew up in a fishing family.  At six, Frank began assisting his father and older brother on their family’s dragger boats, primarily cleaning fish and eventually becoming a captain.  In his hometown of Macata, shellfishing was not practiced; instead, Frank's fishing endeavors revolved around haul seining for sardines and anchovies.

On January 1, 1987, Nancy Solomon interviewed Frank Rizzo as part of the Long Island Traditions Oral History Collection. Frank is an experienced fisherman and captain who has spent many years navigating the waters off Long Island. Frank discusses various topics, including a memorable encounter with an American submarine and fighter ship, the process of becoming a captain, and the dynamics of the fishing community. He shares his views on the qualities that make a good fisherman, emphasizing the importance of a positive attitude and thoughtful approach to the craft.

On May 19, 1987, Nancy Solomon interviewed George Streit as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history collection. George is a lifelong fishing enthusiast, whose love for the sport shaped his life and experiences.  George shares his memories of fishing in childhood and mentions that while he's had land jobs on and off, he always came back to fishing. Over time, he developed a passion for big-game fishing and clamming. He describes the techniques he's learned over the years, as well as his observations about the local fishing industry.