Loretta Doucette is a resident of Falmouth, Massachusetts, who has a deep connection to the fishing industry in Woods Hole. Her father was a fisherman who fished for Sam Cahoon, whose market was located in Woods Hole. Loretta's father was born in Nova Scotia in the 1880s and ran away from home at a young age and made his way to Yarmouth. In his early 20s, Loretta's father came to Boston and worked in masonry for a brief period. He even worked on a bridge over the Charles River. Eventually, he decided to settle in Cape Cod and chose Edgartown as his fishing base around 1910. He purchased a small boat called the Gypsy Maid, which he renamed the Mary D after Loretta's mother and sister. With a crew of five or six men, they fished on Georges Banks and sold their catch at Fulton Fish Pier in New York. Loretta's father primarily fished for cod using handlines before transitioning to dragging later on. They would sell their fish at various ports, including Edgartown and sometimes directly to Sam Cahoon in Woods Hole.

Scope and Content Note
Loretta Doucette shares insights about her father's life as a fisherman, including his upbringing in Nova Scotia, his decision to run away from home, and his eventual arrival in Cape Cod. She mentions the various boats her father owned and the crew members he worked with, as well as anecdotes about their fishing trips to New York and the challenges they faced. Loretta expressed admiration and love for her father, highlighting his positive qualities and the deep bond within their family. Fishing played a significant role in supporting their family during the Great Depression, and Loretta discussed the impact of fishing regulations on her father's activities. The interview also touched on Sam Cahoon's market in Woods Hole, the quality of fish sold there, and the changes in the fishing industry over the years, such as the introduction of draggers and the decline of certain fish populations. Loretta emphasized the importance of proper management for preserving fish stocks and ensuring industry sustainability. Rising costs, fuel expenses, and the need for good gear and boats were also mentioned as challenges faced by fishermen. In addition, Loretta shares personal childhood memories on the Vineyard, including stories of sneaking lobsters from their father's boat. They discussed Eldridge's fish market in Edgartown, which is now the Yacht Club, and their favorite childhood book, "Captain Courageous," which depicted the type of fishing their father did. Various types of fish caught in the area were mentioned, such as Pollock, cod, haddock, flounders, and founders. Loretta’s brother and brother-in-law were lost at sea in 1955.