Interview with Floyd McLaughlin

Frank McDowell is a seasoned commercial fisherman from Georgia with a rich family history deeply rooted in the fishing industry. Born and raised in a large family of fishermen, McDowell's life has been shaped by the sea and the challenges that come with making a living from it. His experiences span from the tradition of blessing the fleet to witnessing significant changes in the fishing community over the years.

Gibb Walker, a native of Sapelo Island, Georgia, has been a part of the shrimping industry from a young age. Born on Sapelo Island, he moved to Brunswick in 1955 due to a lack of job opportunities in his hometown. His passion for shrimping was ignited by his uncle when he was around fifteen or sixteen years old, and his father was also a shrimper. At the age of twenty, he started running a boat in 1961 and continued shrimping until 2000 or 2003. Walker was one of the few Black captains in Brunswick, a position he held from around 1982 or 1985.

Wynn Gale is a lifelong resident of Darien, Georgia, and a fourth-generation fisherman. He began his career in commercial fishing at the age of twelve. Despite a brief attempt at a career in law enforcement, Gale returned to the fishing industry, following in the footsteps of his family who have only ever worked in fishing. Over the years, Gale has observed a significant decrease in the number of boats fishing in the area. He has also experienced the financial challenges of the industry, having had to sell his shrimp boat due to high dock rent and the lack of a crew.

Charles Phillips, a native of Jesup, Georgia, spent his early years engaged in farming activities such as baling hay and picking tobacco. However, his life took a significant turn when his family moved to the coast around his seventh grade. Here, he developed a deep connection with the water, spending most of his time exploring the marshes and rivers, and visiting friends via his 14-foot aluminum skiff. His father, after a brief stint in shrimping, decided to invest in a shrimp boat, marking the beginning of the family's foray into the seafood industry.

Herbert Mcliver, Jr. is a seasoned shrimp boat captain with a rich history rooted in the fishing community. Born and raised in a fishing environment, Mcliver began his journey in the industry at a tender age, learning the ropes of fishing from his father. His early exposure to the fishing industry and the hands-on experience he gained over the years shaped his career path, eventually leading him to become a shrimp boat captain. Mcliver's career has been marked by both triumphs and trials, witnessing firsthand the positive and negative transformations within the fishing industry.

Hughey Dean Bryant is a seasoned commercial fisherman who hails from the coast of North Carolina. His journey in the fishing industry began under the tutelage of his father, from whom he learned the intricacies of the trade. His expertise spans across various aspects of the industry, including shrimping, crabbing, scalloping, and flounder fishing. Over the years, Bryant has expanded his fishing operations to Florida and Georgia, where he continues to contribute significantly to the industry.

Brande Bennett is a seasoned shrimper from Brunswick, Georgia. Raised on the deck of a shrimp boat by her father, she spent her childhood weekends, summers, and holidays learning the trade. Her father's influence not only initiated her career in fishing but also shaped her into a headstrong woman. She started earning from a young age by selling crabs and fish. As an adult, she transitioned from working on the boat to managing the payroll and business side of her father's shrimping business.

Charles Jones is a seasoned fisherman from Darien, Georgia, who has spent a significant part of his life in the commercial fishing industry. Born and raised in Darien, Jones began his fishing career at a young age, heading shrimp at the docks after school to earn money for his family's needs. Jones briefly left the fishing industry to serve in the Vietnam War, after which he returned to fishing with his father. He later bought his own boat and began running his own fishing operations. Jones also worked for the Georgia State Patrol for a period of time before buying his second boat.

David "Tony" Karwacki is a seasoned commercial fisherman from Darien, Georgia. Born into a family of fishermen, Tony has been involved in the fishing industry since he was a child. His father, a first-generation fisherman, introduced him to the trade at a young age. Tony recalls standing on a five-gallon bucket to look over the console and drive the boat when he was just five years old. By the age of fourteen, he was already captaining his own boat and pulling his own set of crab traps.

The narrators are two brothers that have fished together for some time. Both individuals were in their mid to late 50s at the time of the interview and were commercial fishermen fishing for scallop out of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. They were born in Newark, New Jersey.  Their father was a party boat captain and both gained their first experience serving as crew on that party boat. They started off fishing on their own for lobster in the 1970's but very quickly turned to scallops.

This narrator is an experienced commercial fisherman based in Barnegat Light, New Jersey. Born on the island, he  comes from a fishing family. His grandfather was a day clammer for 75 years, and his father was an avid recreational fisherman. Growing up around the water, he developed a strong connection to the fishing industry from an early age. As a teenager, he engaged in various entrepreneurial activities, including selling crabs and working with clams.

This narrator was born and raised in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Despite not coming from a fishing family, he developed a passion for fishing at a young age. The narrator started working for a local fisherman when he was around ten years old, helping with tasks like picking nets and baiting. By the age of twelve, he obtained his own fishing license and began his fishing career. Throughout the interviewee’s fishing career, he primarily focused on gillnetting and fished in various locations, including Point Pleasant and Cape May.

The narrator is a fifty-year-old fishermen who has been fishing since the age of seven, accumulating over 43 years of experience. He has engaged in various types of fishing, including seining for bait and porgies, as well as dragging and lobstering. He owned a 65-foot steel boat, which he had operated for approximately thirty years, in partnership with his father.

The interviewee, a 58-year-old man born in Cape May in 1947, has spent his entire life in the fishing industry. Coming from a family of fishermen with roots in Norway and Finland, he is a third-generation fisherman. After graduating from high school in 1965, he began fishing full-time and gained experience in various fisheries, including porgies, flounder, yellowtail, and cod. In the early 1970s, he started scalloping as a way to avoid traveling to New England during the summer months. Eventually, he became an owner/operator of his own boats.

Ken Grotewiel was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives and served from 1983 until 1994, representing District 92 in Wichita. While in the Legislature, he assumed leadership roles in development of water policy and related environmental and utilities issues. Grotewiel chaired the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for one term, 1991-1992, when Democrats held the majority in the House. After his service in the Legislature, Grotewiel served as Assistant Director of the Kansas Water Office.

This is an interview with the alewife agent for the city of Ellsworth, Maine. Each year lobstermen come to buy alewives for bait for the lobster. He discusses the mechanics of the fish trap and moving the fish to their spawning grounds. He discusses the life cycle of the alewife and the importance to the lobster harvest. He discusses the sea birds that follow the fish and the competition that develops among them.

A.B. Coldwell, Director of Customs in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, was a prominent figure in the coastal community during the late 19th century. Born into a maritime culture, Coldwell assumed the role of Director of Customs in Lunenburg, a position of significance in a town deeply tied to the sea. His tenure in this role allowed him to witness and oversee various aspects of the local fishing and shipping industries.

Willis Spears Jr. speaks about his 54 years as a commercial fisherman off of Cousins Island, ME, focusing on the history of shrimping, the differences between dragging and trapping shrimp, and the changes in the Portland working waterfront over his lifetime. He describes the interaction between fishermen and Portland authorities in their efforts to advocate for the fishing community’s needs and emphasizes the importance of passing information and knowledge to future generations.

Frankie Pacetti talks about commercial shellfishing in St. Augustine, Florida.

Marian Kimrey is a retired teacher and Summer Haven resident, who worked in her family-owned Matanzas Inlet Restaurant.

Philip Cubbedge talks about the Matanzas River Clam Farm.

Hugh Mercer talks about Holmer fish farm in St. Augustine, Florida.

In this interview, Lubec elver harvester Julie Keene discusses the elver fishery, competition with indigenous people, the demise of the urchin fishery and current regulations.

In this interview, alewife harvester Rick Welch reflects on the Downeast Maine alewife fishery. The interview contains his thoughts on the effects of dams, the desirability of alewives as lobster bait and the difference between alewives and blueback herring.

In this interview, alewife fisherman Darrell Young describes the Maine alewife fishery and some of the environmental challenges that this anadromous species faces.

Elver harvester William Milliken of Maine describes in this interview the process of fishing for elvers using dip and fyke nets. Having been active in the fishery since 1992, Milliken offers perspectives on ASMFC management and current threats to the elver population.

Jake Southerland is an alewife harvester in Orland, ME. In this interview, he describes the process of catching alewives, the differences between alewives and blueback herring, and the importance of the fishery to the lobster industry.

The interviews contained in "Canada" are part of Volume I of the Joint Fisheries Commission's investigation in 1893 of the fisheries in New England and the Canadian maritime provinces. William Wakeham and R. Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission traveled along the coast to speak with fishermen, businessmen and mill owners between Cape Cod and New Brunswick.

Andrew Ross is a seasoned commercial fisherman based in Georgia, with a rich family history in the fishing industry. His journey into fishing began at the age of five when his father would take him out on the boat, tying a rope around him to prevent him from falling overboard. Ross took over the family business at the age of twenty when his father retired. His family's involvement in the fishing industry extends beyond his immediate family, with his grandfather having been in the shipping business, entertaining captains of big boats and cooking for them.

Ben McDowell, born in 1952, is a seasoned fisherman with over six decades of experience in the shrimping industry. His life and career have been deeply intertwined with the sea, following in the footsteps of his father who was also a fisherman for fifty years before Ben's birth. McDowell's career has spanned a period of significant change in the industry, witnessing a shift from the prosperous times of his youth to the more challenging present day.

Interview with Captains Sol Jacobs, John Chisholm and Joseph Smith of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun. Interview contains information on New England mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman W.G. Pool of Gloucester, MA by members of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman Norman J.B. Tooker of A.F. Stoneman & Co., Yarmouth, N.S. by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman Russell D. Terry of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman Solomon A. Rowe of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman Thomas C. Parish of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Kathi Harrington is a resident of Brunswick, Georgia. She is married to Richard Puterbaugh, a seasoned shrimper. Kathi is a supportive partner and a mother, often sharing her experiences and perspectives on the impacts of the shrimping industry on their family life. She provides valuable insights into the social and emotional aspects of the fishing community, including the challenges faced by their daughter, Savannah, due to the misconceptions about the shrimping industry.

LC Scott is a seasoned fisherman from Georgia, with a wealth of experience and stories to share about his life and career in the fishing industry. He grew up in a community known as Briar Patches, located about 10 miles from Darien, Georgia. Scott's experience in the fishing industry is extensive, having worked in various roles on fishing boats. He learned the ropes from the ground up, starting with tasks such as checking the oil and clutch, filling the radiator with water, and removing the lines before the boat could set off.

Leonard Crosby, a native of Savannah, Georgia, has a rich history deeply intertwined with the local fishing industry. His formative years were spent engaging with the natural waterways of his hometown, where he developed a passion for catfishing and mullet jumping. This early exposure to aquatic life led him to pursue a career closely connected to the water. Initially, Crosby found employment with the railroad, a job that, while not directly related to fishing, kept him in proximity to the coastal environment he cherished.

John Tyre, a native of Brunswick, Georgia, has woven the fabric of his life with threads of maritime tradition and public service. Beginning his foray into the world of fishing at the age of ten, Tyre was introduced to the craft by his father and brother, who were his early mentors in the art of angling and shrimping. These formative years on the water ingrained in him a diverse array of fishing skills and techniques that he would carry throughout his life.

Johnny Bennett is a seasoned commercial fisherman hailing from Brunswick, Georgia, who has witnessed firsthand the downturn of the local fishing industry. With years of experience on the waters, Bennett has seen the effects of environmental changes and regulatory decisions on his livelihood. The closure of the sound, a critical event in the area's ecological and economic landscape, has been a significant factor in the decline of shrimp and crab populations, which are central to Bennett's trade.

Marty Higgins is a native of Brunswick, a town with a rich heritage in the shrimping industry, which he entered following a long-standing family tradition. Growing up, Higgins was ingrained with the values and skills of shrimping by his father and grandfather, both seasoned practitioners of the trade. This early exposure to the industry not only equipped him with the necessary expertise but also instilled in him a profound appreciation for the lifestyle that comes with being on the water.

Leon Skipper is a seasoned commercial fisherman from McIntosh County, Georgia, with over fifty years of experience in the shrimping industry. Born and raised in Bolin, Georgia, Skipper moved to Meridian later in life. His passion for shrimping was ignited during his childhood when he would accompany his father on fishing trips during weekends and school holidays. Skipper's career in shrimping has taken him from North Carolina to the Gulf Coast, Texas, Campeche Mexico, and back up to Tampa, Florida.

Joseph Michael Rauls is a seasoned veteran of the shrimping industry hailing from the coastal state of Georgia. Born into a family with deep ties to the sea, Rauls' upbringing was steeped in the traditions and hard work associated with shrimping. His life story is a rich tapestry that weaves together the threads of familial legacy, personal passion, and the relentless pursuit of a livelihood amidst the waves. Rauls' narrative is not just a personal chronicle but also a reflection of the broader cultural and economic fabric of the Georgian shrimping community.

Charles Wheeler was a prominent figure associated with the United States Bureau of Fisheries Laboratory. His extensive knowledge and contributions significantly impacted the field of fishery science. Over the years, the organization underwent several departmental changes, moving between the Department of Commerce, the Department of Interior, and finally returning to the Department of Commerce in 1970​​ . 

Scott is the captain of a long-lining vessel and he speaks about his involvement in fishing.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

George speaks about what it is like being a commercial fisherman and also having a summer tourist business to supplement his income.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

John explains what it is like to be part of a fishing family. He discusses his decisions to enter fishing while still obtaining a bachelor's and master's degree.

Junio, a former fisherman, is originally from Brazil.  He speaks about what it was like fishing in Brazil compared to when he fished in the United States.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Amber Jeskey works as a wharf manager and sternman. She explains what her daily life is like when she is working.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Charles Borden, 33, is a commercial fisherman out of Westport, Massachusetts. Mr. Borden?s father works in fisheries management, though he does not have family history in commercial fishing, he began fishing at age 14 on a skiff and worked his way up to become a captain on his own vessel in Westport, Massachusetts. For the past 3 years, he has fished predominantly for monkfish in the inshore and offshore, depending on the season.

Henry Klimm is an old-time fisherman from Woods Hole, best known for his draggers called the Captain Bills. He has been a part of the fishing industry in Woods Hole for many years and has extensive knowledge and memories of the old fish market owned by Sam Cahoon. Henry has been fishing since the 1930s and has experienced the ups and downs of the industry. He has primarily fished for yellowtail flounder and has witnessed changes in fishing techniques and equipment. Henry is known for his hard work and dedication to the fishing profession.

Ron Borjeson, 62, is a commercial fisherman out of Sandwich, Massachusetts. He began fishing with his uncle while in college and purchased his own boat, on which he still fishes, in 1973. In recent years, he has fished strictly inshore, catching fluke during the summer and a variety of fish during the rest of the year. Mr. Borjeson joined his sectors when sector management began, largely because he felt as though the alternative was not well explained and thus left too many unknowns. He does not feel like sector management is a good idea.

Tim Barrett, 46, is a commercial fisherman out of Plymouth, MA. Mr. Barrett grew up on the water, fishing with his brother when he was a boy and through college. He then got into the fishing industry in the early 80?s after attending the University of Rhode Island for some undergraduate work in Marine Fisheries and Technology. In the past 10 years, he has fished groundfish inshore. He is currently an inactive member of sector 10, though he was in the common pool until last year. Mr. Barrett does not think that sector management is a good option for fisheries management.

Chris Brown, 53, is a commercial fisherman out of Point Judith, Rhode Island. He began fishing after high school and built a boat for himself two years later. Currently, he fishes inshore for groundfish and squid predominantly. Mr. Brown is the president of Sector 5 and is very active in sector management and fisheries in general. He is very hopeful about sector management and believes that, given the opportunity, it will be the best strategy to manage the fisheries and provide livelihood for fishermen.

Edward Barrett, 56, is a fisherman out of Plymouth, Massachusetts. He began fishing in high school, purchased his first boat in 1979, and has worked as an inshore mobile gear fisherman for the past 15 years. He has been a member of sector 10 since sector management began and serves as the President of Sector 10, as well as staying actively involved in the fisheries community. Mr. Barrett views sectors negatively, and especially views catch shares as significantly cost prohibitive for small boats. Since sectors began, Mr.

David (Dave) Beutel of North Kingstown, Rhode Island began his career as a commercial fisherman in the mid-1970s and has since worked with the University of Rhode Island and now with fisheries management for the state of Rhode Island. Mr. Beutel believes that the divisive atmosphere in the port of Point Judith is a notable negative consequence of sectors management in Rhode Island, because differences in the philosophies of fishermen have created obvious divisions in the fishing community.

Linda McCann, 54, is currently the Sector Manager for Sectors 7 and 8 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Her husband is a commercial fisherman out of New Bedford. He owns two boats, which he captains and fishes with his three sons. Mrs. McCann has a finance background that helped her secure her current position and allows her to manage the family fishing business. She takes pride in working hard for the fishing industry and assisting her sector members in navigating fisheries management and maintaining viable businesses.

Ted Ligenza, 60, is a commercial fisherman out of Chatham, MA. He began fishing around age 22 after working on the fish pier in Chatham; he now has 3 sons, all of whom fish. He fishes different species organisms seasonally, generally inshore, though occasionally offshore for codfish. In 2003, Mr. Ligenza joined the George's Bank sector, which was the first sector, long before sector management became the primary management regime in 2010, and is now a member of the Fixed Gear sector that began in 2005. He feels that leasing and owning fish is an awkward concept.

Patricia Mattera, 60, is married to retired fisherman Fred Mattera. Fred fished out of Point Judith, Rhode Island; he began fishing after taking a summer job during college and continued fishing until retiring in December 2011. He largely fished offshore, focusing on squid fisheries for the last 10 years of his career. Mrs. Mattera feels that regulations had been a source of stress in the fishing community for many years prior to the beginning sector management.

Henry McCarthy, 47, operates a fishing vessel out of Scituate, Massachusetts. He fished for 25 years, most recently cod and haddock, but left fishing 2 years ago due to a low allocation that made running a business for profit infeasible. Mr. McCarthy remains an inactive sector member and is still active in the fishing community on the board of directors of sector 10 and at the permit bank. Mr. McCarthy has a negative view of sector management and would replace it with Days at Sea and a rolling clock, given the opportunity.

Ian Parente, 30, is a commercial fisherman out of Sakonnet Point, RI. He is a second generation commercial fisherman who has fished his whole life and bought his own vessel out of high school; he also has 2 brothers that fish. Mr. Parente now fishes mostly for groundfish offshore on his commonpool boat; his other boat does not have a groundfish permit and mostly monkfishes. He feels that sector management is not a bad idea in theory, but that it has been poorly implemented, largely as a result of allocation issues.

Fred Mattera is a recently retired commercial fisherman out of Point Judith, Rhode Island. He belonged to sector 5 before retiring and is currently functioning as a liaison between sector 5 fishermen and the out-of-state sector manager. Most recently, Mr. Mattera predominantly fished both inshore and offshore squid, but has also groundfished in the past which is why he's in sector 5. He is very active in the fisheries community. He has a generally positive outlook on sector management but believes the key to success in sectors is to have more fish available to everyone.

Kevin Norton, 42, is a commercial fisherman out of Scituate, Massachusetts. He began fishing as a kid, left fishing for a while and has now been fishing full-time for the past 14 years. For the majority of his commercial fishing career, Mr. Norton has gone groundfishing on a dragger in the Gulf of Maine. He is a member of sector 10, but would leave sectors very quickly if it were possible to make a living wage in the common pool. Mr. Norton has a negative view of sectors and feels there is a large amount of uncertainty in fishing as a result of sector and other fishing regulations.

Bill McCann, 62, is a commercial fisherman out of New Bedford, Massachusetts. He began fishing with a lobsterman in 1975 after getting out of the Air Force; he has fished with various family members throughout his career and now fishes with his sons and ex-brother-in-law. Mr. McCann currently fishes predominantly for monkfish and skates, both inshore and offshore. He is an active member of sector 7 and believes that sector 7 functions better than other sectors due largely to the sector manager.

Marie (Riena) Ligenza, 58, is married to commercial fisherman Ted Ligenza, who fishes out of Chatham, MA. They have three sons that are also commercial fishermen, though she is not from a fishing family herself. Her husband and sons all fish mainly inshore, her husband for fish and her sons for shellfish. Mrs. Ligenza tries to separate herself from the intricacies of fishing, beyond it supporting her family and her doing finances for her husband's fishing.

Richard "Rob" Walz, 50, a commercial fisherman out of Tiverton, RI, began fishing as a boy. Mr. Walz fishes offshore, targeting different species seasonally. He has been a member of the common pool since sector management began, because his sector allocation was too small. Mr. Walz finds that sector management often causes fishermen to target one species, whereas fishermen used to diversify and catch numerous different species in an effort to conserve less abundant fish.

Carl Bouchard, age 72, is a retired fisherman whose home port was Hampton, New Hampshire. Mr. Buchard began fishing around age 45 because he loved being outdoors, after transitioning from gas station and carwash owner to owner of his own boat doing inshore fisheries such as groundfishing, shrimping, tunafishing and lobstering. He had chosen to retire from fisheries the year sector management began, but had four permits in Sector 2. The year sectors started, he put his boat in the commonpool and leased quota from additional permits that he had purchased. Mr.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Steven Wilkes, 65, is a retired commercial fisherman out of Newport, Rhode Island. Mr. Wilkes fished with his grandfather as a boy and began fishing commercially at age 18, buying his first boat at age 29 after working as a teacher and deckhand for a few years. Though he in no longer an active fisherman, he still lives on his boat and maintains a permit in the common pool. Mr. Wilkes did mostly day trips as a fisherman, but worked patrolling telecommunications cables prior to retiring from fisheries. He does not have a positive impression of sectors or government involvement in business.

Christine Sherman, 60, lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts and is married to a commercial fisherman that is a member of Sector 2. Mrs. Sherman also works for the Northeast Seafood Coalition, an industry advocacy group based in Gloucester and is primarily in charge of fundraising for the group. Mrs. Sherman has felt a huge impact from sectors and feels there is only a few years left for a viable, small boat commercial fishery in Gloucester. She has seen the impacts in her own family and life, having experienced physical and mental issues related to financial stress in an uncertain industry.

Danny Murphy, 39, is a commercial fisherman out of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Mr. Murphy's father started tuna fishing later in his life, eventually owning a trawler which piqued perked his son's interest in fishing as a profession. Mr. Murphy began working on his father's trawler at around 16 years of age and would fish for groundfish and also dredge occasionally for scallops and sea urchins. Currently, Mr. Murphy owns a 36-foot trawler and fishes inshore for groundfish and scallops and is a member of Sector 2 in Gloucester.

Steven Welch, 51, is a fisherman out of Scituate and Plymouth, Massachusetts. He worked on boats as a kid and began commercial fishing full time when he graduated from high school in 1979. Since that time he has participated in most fisheries except herring; he now fishes offshore. Mr. Welch has been a member of sector 10 since sector management was initiated and participates as the treasurer. He does not like sectors or catch shares as he catches 62% fewer pounds under his allocation of quota than he did under the previous management by days-at-sea (DAS). Since sectors have begun, Mr.

Karl Cygler, 36, owns a company which provides fisheries observers to commercial fishing vessels, including sector and commonpool boats. Mr. Cygler used to be an observer as well and his father was a commercial fisherman in the 1980?s. Mr.Cygler has seen changes in observer coverage since sectors started and his staff mentioned there is more tension and frustration on the part of the fishing industry in having to carry observers at a higher rate than before sectors. Mr.

Howard Pickerell is a boat builder with a specialization in constructing traditional Garvey and Sharpie boats. His career is marked by a deep understanding of the unique features and construction procedures of these boats, which have evolved over the years. Pickerell's work is not only a reflection of his craftsmanship but also a testament to his connection with the maritime heritage. His clientele has varied as the demand for commercial fishing boats has declined, indicating a shift in the boat-building industry.

Tom Ruhle was a clam "diver" who worked on the east end of Long Island, primarily in Lake Montauk but also in East Hampton. The interview examines harvesting methods, habitat changes, and environmental and regulatory history in this area.

Bayman Jon Semlear is a pound trap fisherman and bass fisherman in Sag Harbor. In this short interview he shares his knowledge of the bay, ecological changes, and close calls he's had on the water.

David is a commercial fishermen in Eastport, Maine. Because of the economy in Eastport, David has to work multiple jobs in addition to fishing.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

David is a commercial fishermen in Eastport, Maine. Because of the economy in Eastport, David has to work multiple jobs in addition to fishing.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Ellen is a former fisherman. She speaks about what it was like being a woman in the fishing industry.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Diane is the wife of a lobsterman.  She speaks about how regulations are impacting her family.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

She was the wife of a fishermen. She discusses her husband's history in fishing and family ties to other fishermen.Project

Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Mary is a net maker and former fisherman.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

She describes her life as the wife of a fisherman and how regulations have changed their life plan.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Elizabeth is currently working at a Port Agent in Point Judith, Rhode Island. She speaks about her involvement in the fishery from working as a sternman to her current position.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Doug ran a fishing vessel until 2008 when the regulations forced him to change careers. He is now working on a tug boat.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

Howard is a meat cutter who went fishing with his father. He explains what is was like not being able to take over his father's fishing business.

Project Leaders: Lisa L. Colburn and Kate E. Yentes
Date Collection Completed: On going
Location: www.voices.nmfs.noaa.gov
Geographic Location: Locations across New England

John Curzake, 48, is a commercial fisherman out of Point Judith, Rhode Island. He has been fishing since high school on a swordfishing boat with his in-laws; though his immediate family didn?t fish commercially, his father and brother occasionally go commercial lobstering. He fishes for skates and some groundfish, mostly inshore. He became a member of sector 13 to avoid gear restrictions placed on individuals in the common pool. Mr. Curzake does not like sector management and would prefer to return to Days-at-Sea, with at least 50 days per vessel per year.

Judy Keding, 49, is the wife of commercial fisherman Jim Keding, out of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Mrs. Keding does not come from a fishing background; her husband has been fishing since he was 17, before they met. Mr. Keding currently captains a dragger that he does not own, generally targeting inshore codfish. He has been a member of sector 10 since sector management began though he has had to sell his two vessels and leases his low quota; Mrs. Keding works as a substitute teacher to supplement income. Mrs.

Chris Hickman, 63, is a commercial fisherman out of Hatteras, North Carolina. Mr. Hickman began fishing in the 1970's after retiring from farming; his grandfather was a fisherman in the early 1900's. He currently fishes for monkfish and a variety of other species using a gillnet inshore along the east coast in New England. Mr. Hickman has been in the commonpool in New England since sectors began; sector management is not in place in North Carolina. He feels that sector management is not the right management strategy and would abolish it given the opportunity.

Jon Knight, 52, is the owner of Superior Trawl, a fishing gear designer and builder, in Galilee/Point Judith, Rhode Island. He began as a commercial fisherman and was drawn to working with nets. He began working for various gear shops and attended the University of Rhode Island, receiving both a technical degree in fisheries and later a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He owns and operates Superior Trawl and is involved in cooperative research, in an effort to improve selectivity in fisheries.

Tim Caldwell, 51, a fisherman currently operating out of Point Judith, RI began fishing at age 18. Mr. Caldwell is a member of sector 10. He had 2 vessels when sectors began, but has since switched to gillneting for monkfish and sells his low groundfish allocation. He saw a drastic decrease in income as a result of a low allocation and had to sell his second vessel. Mr. Caldwell has a negative view of sectors, stating that sectors make the future uncertain for small fishermen, like him and his son.

Mary Brown, 52, is married to commercial fisherman Chris Brown who fishes out of Point Judith, Rhode Island. Mr. Brown has been involved in fisheries since he was a little boy and currently fishes inshore, predominantly for groundfish. Mrs. Brown?s husband is a member of sector 5. She believes that sector management allows him to catch fish more economically and predictably.

Hilary Dombrowski, 64, is a commercial fisherman out of Gloucester, Massachusetts. He began fishing around age 10, progressively buying and operating larger boats. He now jigs for cod and tub trawls for haddock, in the inshore. He is a member of the common pool because quota allocations were assigned based on years during which there were a great deal of regulations, thus limiting catch for many in the region. As a small fisherman, there is no real avenue for him to get into a sector, as it is quite expensive.

Jeff Good, a 54-year-old fisherman from Plymouth, Massachusetts, has been fishing since he was 16 years old, beginning on a boat originally purchased by his older brother. In the years since, he has done all types of fishing including inshore and offshore fishing in most all fisheries except lobster and he hasn't done hook fishing. He currently fishes without any crew and feels this is the only way he can make it financially. Mr.

Jim Keding is a 42-year-old fisherman; he currently captains a commercial fishing vessel out of Plymouth, Massachusetts. This vessel, the Mystic, fishes inshore for groundfish and is in sector 10. Jim serves as the sector's Vice President. He began fishing at age 14, in 1987; he chose fishing simply because he lived near the Plymouth fishing docks, and his cousin was the only one who fished in his family. Prior to captaining the Mystic, he owned and operated his own vessels.

Phil Ruhle, 37, is a commercial fisherman out of Point Judith, Rhode Island. His grandfather began fishing in the 1950s; his father and uncles also fished and his children now fish with him on occasion. He fishes for a broad variety of fish using a dragger, catching predominantly groundfish inshore in recent years. He is a member of the Sustainable Harvest Sector and is on the Board of Directors; his father, along with other fishermen, began developing the Sustainable Harvest Sector even prior to 2010 when sectors were put in place throughout New England. Mr.

Rodman Sykes, 59, is a commercial fisherman out of Point Judith, Rhode Island. His family was in the fishing industry and he grew up on the docks fishing with his grandfather, father and uncles; he bought his own boat in 1984. He currently fishes predominantly for fluke (summer flounder) and skates. He is a member of Sector 5 and has participated in various cooperative research projects, including underwater cable monitoring off Vero Beach, Florida. Mr. Sykes believes that sectors could have been a great management tool but for the way National Marine Fisheries Services allocated quota.