Narragansett, RI

Interviewee Collection Sort ascending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Fred Mattera Sector Management in New England

Fred Mattera is a recently retired commercial fisherman out of Point Judith, Rhode Island. He belonged to sector 5 before retiring and is currently functioning as a liaison between sector 5 fishermen and the out-of-state sector manager. Most recently, Mr. Mattera predominantly fished both inshore and offshore squid, but has also groundfished in the past which is why he's in sector 5. He is very active in the fisheries community. He has a generally positive outlook on sector management but believes the key to success in sectors is to have more fish available to everyone.

Azure Cygler Narragansett, RI NOAA
Niles Pearsall Sector Management in New England

Niles Pearsall, 44, is a commercial fisherman out of Point Judith, Rhode Island. He began fishing after high school and now fishes for groundfish or squid up to 100 miles south of New England. He is a member of Sector 5. He believes that sectors are a good idea, but that everyone needs more quota. Sector management has led to rifts in the fishing community, largely as a result of the disparity in quota allocation. Mr. Pearsall believes that his quality of life is the same, due in part to his wife's income which has made up for his loss in income.

Azure Cygler Narragansett, RI NOAA
Philip Ruhle Jr. Sector Management in New England

Phil Ruhle, 37, is a commercial fisherman out of Point Judith, Rhode Island. His grandfather began fishing in the 1950s; his father and uncles also fished and his children now fish with him on occasion. He fishes for a broad variety of fish using a dragger, catching predominantly groundfish inshore in recent years. He is a member of the Sustainable Harvest Sector and is on the Board of Directors; his father, along with other fishermen, began developing the Sustainable Harvest Sector even prior to 2010 when sectors were put in place throughout New England. Mr.

Azure Cygler Narragansett, RI NOAA
Rodman Sykes Sector Management in New England

Rodman Sykes, 59, is a commercial fisherman out of Point Judith, Rhode Island. His family was in the fishing industry and he grew up on the docks fishing with his grandfather, father and uncles; he bought his own boat in 1984. He currently fishes predominantly for fluke (summer flounder) and skates. He is a member of Sector 5 and has participated in various cooperative research projects, including underwater cable monitoring off Vero Beach, Florida. Mr. Sykes believes that sectors could have been a great management tool but for the way National Marine Fisheries Services allocated quota.

Azure Cygler Narragansett, RI NOAA
Maryellen Brown Oral Histories from the New England Fisheries

Maryellen Brown, often referred to as Mary, is a resident of West Kingston, Rhode Island, living at 35 Erica Court. She is forty-nine years old and moved to Rhode Island from Connecticut when she was fourteen. Maryellen is married to a fisherman and has been involved in the fishing community since she was fifteen. She has been married for twenty-five years and has lived in her current residence for eleven years. Maryellen is also a mother to three children.

Azure Dee Westwood Narragansett, RI NOAA Fisheries
Junio Filippini Oral Histories from the New England Fisheries

Junio, a former fisherman, is originally from Brazil.  He speaks about what it was like fishing in Brazil compared to when he fished in the United States.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Kate Yentes Narragansett, RI NOAA Fisheries
Elizabeth Kordowski Oral Histories from the New England Fisheries

Elizabeth is currently working at a Port Agent in Point Judith, Rhode Island. She speaks about her involvement in the fishery from working as a sternman to her current position.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Lisa Colburn , Azure Dee Westwood Narragansett, RI NOAA Fisheries
John Moore Oral Histories from the New England Fisheries

John explains what it is like to be part of a fishing family. He discusses his decisions to enter fishing while still obtaining a bachelor's and master's degree.

Lisa Colburn Narragansett, RI NOAA Fisheries
Mary O'Rourke Oral Histories from the New England Fisheries

Mary is a net maker and former fisherman.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Lisa Colburn , Azure Dee Westwood Narragansett, RI NOAA Fisheries
Anonymous Oral Histories from the New England Fisheries

She describes her life as the wife of a fisherman and how regulations have changed their life plan.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Lisa Colburn , Azure Dee Westwood Narragansett, RI NOAA Fisheries