Rick Risso

Location of Interview
Collection Name

Commercial Fishermen in the California Halibut Trawl Fishery: Who does your local seafood come from?

Description

These oral histories capture and share the history and stories of commercial California halibut trawl fishermen, providing a way for the public to connect with local fishermen and the source of their seafood. Interviews are conducted with with California halibut trawl fishermen in the San Francisco and Half Moon Bay ports, focusing on the fishermen’s fishing history, their family’s fishing history, and their plans for the future. This project will preserve pieces of the history of the California halibut trawl fishermen, as well as build and strengthen relationships between NOAA, the state, local fishermen, and the community.

Date of Interview
09-08-2018
Transcribers

Pioneer Transcription Services

Audio
Transcript
Biographical Sketch

Rick Risso, a resident of Santa Cruz, California, embarked on his career in fishing during his youth. With nearly two decades of experience, he has become a seasoned participant in the California Halibut Trawl Fishery. His professional pursuits primarily involve the capture of halibut and Dungeness crab. Risso's workday commences at the early hour of 3 am, followed by a lengthy journey to the fishing grounds and culminates with the delivery of his catch to a fish buyer. Throughout his tenure, Risso has witnessed the evolution of fishing regulations and the shifting landscape of the fishing grounds. Despite these changes, he has remained steadfast in his fishing methodologies, which have proven successful over the years.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Rick Risso provides an in-depth look into the life and career of a fisherman deeply ingrained in the California Halibut Trawl Fishery. Risso details his daily routine, which begins in the pre-dawn hours and involves extensive travel to and from the fishing grounds. He shares insights into the practical aspects of his work, including the specific type of trawl net gear he employs—a paranzella net with a small loop chain footrope and a seven-and-a-half-inch cod end designed to selectively capture target species while minimizing bycatch. Risso reflects on the changes he has observed in the marine ecosystem and market demands over the years. Despite these shifts, he expresses a preference for maintaining his tried-and-true fishing practices. The interview also touches on Risso's aspirations to continue operating in traditional fishing areas and his concerns about the future of the fishery. He highlights potential conflicts that arise from the intersection of commercial, environmental, and sport fishing interests, indicating a broader context of challenges faced by those in his profession.


Please Note: The oral histories in this collection are protected by copyright and have been created for educational, research and personal use as described by the Fair Use Doctrine in the U.S. Copyright law. Please reach out  Voices@noaa.gov to let us know how these interviews are being used in your research, project, exhibit, etc.  The Voices staff can help provide other useful resources related to your inquiry. 

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.