Louis and Harry Lasher
The Hudson River Maritime Museum’s Hudson River Commercial Fishermen’s Oral History Collection
The Hudson River Maritime Museum’s Hudson River Commercial Fishermen’s Oral History Collection consists of interviews with commercial fishermen conducted in the early 1980s and early 1990s. Locations discussed range from New York City to Albany and time periods from the 1920s to the 1990s. The focus of these interviews is primarily on the decline of the commercial fishing industry, including changes in fishing techniques and gear, changes in water quality and pollution, economic and market changes, and changes in fishing populations, including government regulation.
Content note: Some of the terminology used in these interviews reflects the time period and personalities of the people being interviewed and not that of the Hudson River Maritime Museum or New York Heritage.
You can explore this collection and others at: https://nyheritage.org/collections/oral-histories-hudson-river-commercial-fishermen
On July 17, 1993, Louis and Harry Lasher were interviewed about their experiences with shad fishing along the Hudson River. The Lashers discuss their lifelong involvement in fishing, covering topics such as traditional techniques for setting poles and nets, the logistics of operating fish camps, and the challenges of working with tides and environmental conditions. They also reflect on the changes in fishing practices and regulations over time, the decline in shad populations, and the impact of industrial development on the Hudson River's ecosystem and community access. The interview delves into the Lashers' memories of fishing during World War II, detailing the interruption of fishing south of the George Washington Bridge due to military convoys and their resumption after the war. The Lashers share vivid accounts of the physical demands of the work, the camaraderie among fishermen, and the cultural traditions surrounding shad fishing. They also address the historical presence of migrant fishermen and the evolution of equipment and vessel construction. Additionally, the Lashers recount the socio-economic dynamics of the riverfront communities, the decline of shad fishing in the 1960s, and the eventual disappearance of traditional fishing practices due to environmental degradation and urban development.
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The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. The Voices Oral History Archives offers public access to a wide range of accounts, including historical materials that are products of their particular times, and may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes.
Voices Oral History Archives does not verify the accuracy of materials submitted to us. The opinions expressed in the interviews are those of the interviewee only. The interviews here have been made available to the public only after the interviewer has confirmed that they have obtained consent.