Matthew Matich was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. Matthew Matich was born in 1932 in San Pedro, California. His father, who emigrated from Croatia and eventually settled in San Pedro in 1920, played a significant role in the area's early development of the fishing industry. The interview highlights Matich's recollections of his father's work as a fisherman and his involvement with the local canneries, particularly the French Sardine Company, which later became StarKist. Matich discusses his own career trajectory, beginning with his first job at the French Sardine Company at the age of thirteen. He details his work experiences during and after World War II, including the laborious tasks he undertook in the cannery, his involvement with the company during its transition to StarKist, and his observations on the changing fishing industry. Matich also reflects on the community dynamics in San Pedro, including the influence of various ethnic groups, the impact of the fishing industry on the local economy, and the eventual decline of the canning business as production shifted to international locations. Throughout the interview, Matich provides insight into the personalities of key figures in the fishing and canning industry, such as Martin and Joseph Bogdanovich, and recounts his interactions with them. He also touches on his later career in the Los Angeles County Fire Department, where he worked until an injury led him to return to StarKist in an office management role. The interview concludes with Matich's reflections on his life in San Pedro, his pride in his family's contributions to the community, and his memories of working in the fishing and canning industry during its heyday.