Giao Van Dang was a scalloper who left his homeland of Vietnam as a part of the boat exodus after the Vietnam War. Like the other refugees in the boat, Giao fled the country with the hopes of finding better opportunities. Through hard work and determination, Giao was able to carve out a life for himself in America, returning to the ocean that he loved. Giao is currently happily retired and still stays connected to the ocean.

Captain Samuel Cottle and Gloria Cottle are a married couple with a long history in the fishing industry. Captain Samuel Cottle is a fisherman who has used the ports of Point Judith, Rhode Island for his fishing activities. Gloria Cottle was born and brought up in Wakefield, Rhode Island, which is just several miles from Point Judith, a large fishing port. The couple resides in Albion, Maine. Captain Samuel Cottle's earliest memory of fishing dates back to when he was five years old. His great grandfather, who had fought in the Civil War, was a significant influence in his life.

Guadalupe is an employee at a company that cleans fish. She shares her work experiences and life experiences.

This oral history was produced in 2017 as part of the Workers on the Waterfront Oral History Project conducted by New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center with funding from an Archie Green Fellowship provided by the Library of Congress.

On September 23, 2005, Millie Rahn interviewed Gunnar and John Gundersen as part of the Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project. Gunnar and Johan Gundersen, father and son owners of Scandia Propellers and Supplies, share their experiences and insights regarding their business and the fishing industry.Gunnar describes his early years in Norway, his migration to the United States, and the establishment of Scandia Propellers and Supplies.

On September 30, 2012, Markham Starr interviewed Hans Davidson as part of the Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project. Davidson discusses his early experiences in the industry, his progression from a newcomer to a captain, and the various boats he worked on. He also shares his perspectives on the challenges of the fishing industry, including struggles against regulations, the impact of the job on family life, and the dangers of the work.

Hector Grave came to New Bedford from Guatemala at age 14 and went to work on the waterfront. He worked for several years at gillnet companies until starting his own business, Lionel’s Nets, which makes and repairs gillnets. He discusses the challenges and sacrifice of self-employment as well as the passion for making a quality product.

Henry Allerdt was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1943 and moved to the New Bedford area when he was seven or eight years old. He attended Fairhaven High School and spent his summers fishing with his father, who was a fisherman during the Depression. He fished with his father on a small dragger, a sixty-five-foot boat, and also fished independently for extra money while in school. After high school, he continued working in the fishing industry, learning different methods from various people in the fleet.

Herman Bruce, a retired fisherman hailing from New Bedford, Massachusetts, holds a legacy of 55 years within the fishing industry. With ancestral roots tracing back to Newfoundland, Herman's family immigrated to the United States during the 1930s. Herman's father initially cast his nets in New London, CT, before eventually anchoring in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Herman's earliest memories are of the sea, as he began his journey assisting in the maintenance of his father's fishing vessel.

On September 23, 2005, Millie Rahn interviewed Howard Nickerson as part of the Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project. Howard recounts his early life, his transition from vocational school to working in the fishery industry, and the challenges faced during the Great Depression. He discusses his work as an engineer on fishing vessels, primarily involved in sea scalloping, and his involvement with the fishermen's union and his role as a union representative.

Mr. Najjar grew up in Nantucket and New Bedford. He tells stories of fishing off Sconset Beach in Nantucket and of his Cape Verdean family heritage.