This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview, Mr. Palhais talks about his life in a small fishing village in Portugal, how he came to the U.S. and his experience living and fishing in New Bedford. Included in his history is a very detailed description of fishing techniques in the mouth of the Mondego River in Figueira da Foz as well as salt-making techniques in the same area and in Angola.

On September 25, 2010, Mark Starr interviewed Antonio Perreira for the Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project.  Antonio Perreira also known as "Tony the Plumber," has worked as a full-time pipe fitter on the waterfront since 1976.  Antonio discusses his childhood in Portugal before he immigrated to New Bedford at the age of 13.  He chronicles how he started learning plumbing, and eventually started working on fishing vessels.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. Maria Santos tells the story of her husband António Santos while he lies nearby, unable to tell his own story due to Alzheimer's disease. At times, their sons Mario and Joe Santos add details. António was born in 1929 in the fishing village of Gala, near the city of Figueira da Foz.

Ms. Baker tells a story about a trip she took as an observer for NOAA.

On September 24, 2005, Millie Rahn interviewed Armando Estudante as part of the Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project. Armando is a fisherman and entrepreneur. Born in Portugal, he immigrated to the United States in 1978 when he was in his 50s. While he was initially visiting his parents in Philadelphia, he took a trip to New Bedford and discovered the city's vibrant fishing community. He decided to settle there permanently. Armando already had experience in the fishing industry as he was in charge of a fleet of boats in Portugal.

On September 25, 2004 Millie Rahn interviewed Woody Bowers, who was joined by his daughter and son-in-law, Sue & Rodney Murray, as part of the Working Waterfront Festival Documentation Project. Woody discusses his life as a commercial fisherman in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and his experiences in the Merchant Marines during World War II. Sue Murray, Woody’s daughter, shares what it was like growing up with a father who was often out at sea. Rodey Murray, Sue’s husband, serves as a captain of a scallop boat.

On September 26, 2009, Lynne Williamson interviewed Barbara McCarthy as part of the Working Waterfront Festival Documentation Project. Retired boat owner, business woman, mother and fisherman's wife, Barbara McCarthy, shares her knowledge and experiences from throughout her lifetime in the commercial fishing industry.

On September 23, 2007, Millie Rahn interviewed Barbara Merry as part of the Working Waterfront Festival Documentation Project. Barbara describes her childhood, noting that she’d been surrounded by boats her whole life. Her father owned a wholesale/retail marine company, and she grew up on a wooden cruising boat. She gravitated toward tying knots and starting selling her macramé to make a little extra money. Once macramé went out of fashion, she tried several other crafts before finding Ahsley’s Book of Knots and began knotting.

On September 25, 2010, Madeleine Hall-Arber interviewed Bernice Calnan as part of the Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project.  Bernice was born into a fishing family, her father immigrating to the US from Newfoundland. She retells stories she grew up hearing about her father’s youth and work as a boat cook, providing a good sense of the New Bedford fishing community of the 1960s.

On September 23, 2007, Julie Olson interviewed Betsy Pye as part of the Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project. Betsy shares personal anecdotes from her childhood in New Bedford and her perceptions of the waterfront as an outsider. She describes meeting her husband when she was 19, and chronicles his family’s history, his work as a boat engineer, and her involvement with the local fishing community after their marriage. Deb Schrader, and her involvement in advocating for the fishing industry, served as a role model for Betsy.