This interview with Walter Bell, the son of A P Bell, covers his family and growing up in Cortez.  Some info about the Manatee River Fish Co. a precurser to A P Bell Fish Company and relations with other fishermen.

Henry Clayton Adams was born on August 27, 1921, in Cortez, Florida, to parents Willis Adams and Dora Jean Adams. He was one of nine siblings, with five brothers named Hugh, Leon, Howard, Cleve, and C.D., and three sisters named Pauline, Doris, and Mabel. Henry was married to Pauline Adams for 42 years and had one adopted son. Growing up during the Great Depression, Henry's early life was shaped by the challenges of the era. He pursued a career as a fisherman, a profession deeply rooted in his coastal upbringing.

Interview with David Carmadelle in Grand Isle, Louisiana.

Interview with David Richard and Kent Ledoux in Grand Chenier, Louisiana.

Mr. Earl Taylor talks about his fishing history with others over the years. He quit when he was married and was a cook for a while before he came back to fishing.

Interview with Sue Galliano in Grand Isle, Louisiana.

Interview with Ambrose Besson in Grand Isle, Louisiana.

Interview with Louis Blum in Houma, Louisiana.

 

Interview with Arthur Blanchard in Grand Isle, Louisiana.

Interview with Jeane Landry in Grand Isle, Louisiana.

Interview with Wilburn Bradberry in Grand Isle, Louisiana Interviewer.

Interview with Sandra Boquet in Cameron, Louisiana.

Captain Samuel Cottle and Gloria Cottle are a married couple with a long history in the fishing industry. Captain Samuel Cottle is a fisherman who has used the ports of Point Judith, Rhode Island for his fishing activities. Gloria Cottle was born and brought up in Wakefield, Rhode Island, which is just several miles from Point Judith, a large fishing port. The couple resides in Albion, Maine. Captain Samuel Cottle's earliest memory of fishing dates back to when he was five years old. His great grandfather, who had fought in the Civil War, was a significant influence in his life.

Paul Swain, a 74-year-old male, is a retired government port agent with a rich history in the fishing industry. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Swain is of Newfoundland descent. He began his career as a fisherman and later transitioned into various roles including an auctioneer and a lumper. Swain's home port was New Bedford/Fairhaven, MA. Swain's career in the government began in 1957 as a port sampler, a role that involved taking samples from fish catches for age and growth studies.

Ms. Blount, president of the Blount shipbuilding business, speaks about her involvement in the fishing industry and pressures on the business from waterfront development.

Donald F. Clattenburg, born on September 5, 1925, in Port Midway, Nova Scotia, is a retired commercial fisherman with a rich history in the industry. His father, also a fisherman, moved to the United States before Donald was born, visiting his family in Nova Scotia annually . Donald moved to the United States in August 1941, just before World War II, and settled in New Bedford. He began his career in commercial fishing shortly after returning from the war, following in his father's footsteps.

Reidar Bendiksen is a Norwegian immigrant who moved to the United States at the age of sixteen. Born into a fishing family, he began his fishing career in Norway at the age of fourteen. His father, who was also a fisherman, immigrated to the U.S. in 1951 and owned several fishing vessels in New Bedford. Reidar followed in his father's footsteps, spending his first five to six years in the U.S. fishing on a sub chaser that saw action in Normandy during the invasion.

Reidar and Kirsten Bendiksen are a Norwegian couple residing in New Bedford, involved in the gear business, specifically net making and mending. Reidar was born in Norway in 1946 and moved to the United States when he was sixteen. His father was a fisherman who migrated to the US in 1951. Reidar himself held various positions in the fishing industry, including skipper, before transitioning into the gear business. Kirsten, born in New Bedford and raised in Dartmouth, comes from a family with a fishing background. Her father was a fisherman who met her mother on an ocean liner.

Johanna Reichhold is a deckhand, fisher poet, writer, and musician. She hails from Cordova, Alaska. Reichhold, like Bowstern, uses her experiences in the fishing industry to inspire her art. She is of European-American descent. Moe Bowstern was born in 1967 and is a multifaceted artist who works as a deckhand, fisher poet, writer, and musician. She is based in Kodiak, Alaska, but resides in Portland, Oregon. Bowstern has been a part of the Fisher Poets community since 1997 and has participated in the event every year except the second year.

Jack Saunders is an 80-year-old male who was born in 1927 to a Newfoundland fishing family. He is the owner of Pier Oil in New Bedford. Saunders' father owned a couple of boats, one of which was requisitioned by the government during World War II and lost at sea. Saunders began working on the docks at the age of fourteen, lumping during the summer while attending high school [3]. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Navy and then fished with his father for five years. He later worked for his brother's oil tanker business and eventually started his own business.

Henry Allerdt was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1943 and moved to the New Bedford area when he was seven or eight years old. He attended Fairhaven High School and spent his summers fishing with his father, who was a fisherman during the Depression. He fished with his father on a small dragger, a sixty-five-foot boat, and also fished independently for extra money while in school. After high school, he continued working in the fishing industry, learning different methods from various people in the fleet.

John Xifares, born on April 14, 1936, in New Bedford, is a retired superior court judge with a rich family background rooted in Greece and the New Bedford fishing industry. Before his tenure as a judge, Xifares was a lawyer, representing fish lumpers, seafood workers, and teamsters who represented fishermen for about a decade. His legal career also included serving as co-council for health and welfare funds and pension funds for these unions. Xifares' early life was closely tied to the fishing industry, with his family owning several bars on the waterfront and a couple of fishing boats.

John Reardon is a former fisherman turned General Manager for IMP Fishing Gear Limited in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Born in Boston, MA, Reardon entered the fishing industry in the early 1980s, starting out on a dragger and retiring from fishing in 1999. He began working for IMP Fishing Gear, also known as Industrial Marine Products, in November of 1999. The company, which started out selling fishing gear in Newfoundland, now has 15 branches in Canada and the United States.

Lars Vinjerud, a Norwegian-Irish American, is a former fisherman and captain who now serves as the Owner and President of Fleet Fisheries. Born on June 18, 1959, in Hackensack, New Jersey, Vinjerud moved to New Bedford at the age of nine or ten. His early fascination with the waterfront led him to start working in the fishing industry at a young age. He quit school in eighth grade and hitchhiked to Alaska, where he spent three years king crabbing and salmon fishing. Upon returning to New Bedford at 18, he joined a scallop boat.

Alcee Taylor is a native of Cortez, Florida, a historic fishing village known for its rich maritime heritage. Born into a family of boat builders, Taylor's father was known for building skiffs, a versatile type of boat that was adapted to the shallow waters of Florida's bays and estuaries. Taylor himself has a deep connection with the fishing industry, having bought fish in North Carolina and worked with the Florida Shrimp Exchange. He also served in the military, after which he engaged in fishing activities in North Carolina.

Vernon Mora discusses family history, fishing in Sarasota Bay.  He fished for A.P. Bell and Fulfords, worked on a dredge for a while, had a shrimp boat for a while.

Elizabeth Pearson Jones talks about her family history and a 1921 hurricane.

Commonly known as "Blue", Thomas Fulford talks about his fishing with "Tink" Fulford, fishing on the Anna Dean, growing up in Cortez, 'Hogging' stop netting, feud with gill netters, union formation attempts, net care and conflict with sport fishermen.

In this interview, Raymond Guthrie discusses his family history and fishing experiences.  He did seine fishing and stop netting. Guthrie talks about animosity from other fishermen.  He fished and did mowing work, and some boat building.
 

Oral history interview with father and son, Raymond Stargill Pringle, Jr. and Sr.

In this interview, Sue Turner Maddox talks about family history, not in the fishing industry.  Her husband had a drive-in in Mulberry.  They divorced and she moved to Cortez in 1965.  Maddox had visited with cousins here before.  She worked at Moore Stone crab and Bell fish Company in order to support her kids.  She got involved in fighting drug problems in Cortez and Bradenton in the 70's with some harrowing results.  She still working at Bell's Fish Company.

Raymond Stargell Pringle's family came to Cortez in 1919.  In this interview, he talks about his father and fishing with him as a kid. Later, he became a minister.

This interview with Marvin Carver covers family, fishing, fish camps and net spreads. He also had a bridge tender's job in Cortez.

Calvin Edison Bell was born on November 14, 1929. He is the son of Aaron Park Bell, a commercial fisherman from North Carolina, and Jessie Blanche Fulford. Calvin grew up in a family of seven children, with five brothers and one sister. He lived in the same house in Cortez, Florida, for his entire life. Calvin followed in his father's footsteps and became a commercial fisherman, participating in various types of fishing including mackerel fishing, mullet fishing, and seine fishing.

Eugene Connors is a former commercial fisherman and fishery researcher who worked in the industry from 1960 to 1981. He was involved in scalloping and dragging in New Bedford, having originally come from a small fishing community in Stonington, CT. After his fishing career, Connors worked for the New England Fishery Development Foundation as the vessel site coordinator for a project called "Quality at Sea," which aimed to improve the quality of seafood being landed in New England ports by applying Scandinavian methods of handling product at sea.

Herman Bruce, a retired fisherman hailing from New Bedford, Massachusetts, holds a legacy of 55 years within the fishing industry. With ancestral roots tracing back to Newfoundland, Herman's family immigrated to the United States during the 1930s. Herman's father initially cast his nets in New London, CT, before eventually anchoring in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Herman's earliest memories are of the sea, as he began his journey assisting in the maintenance of his father's fishing vessel.

Mark Phillips is a seasoned fisherman and boat owner based in Greenport, New York. Born on December 7, 1956, Phillips has been involved in the fishing industry since he was eight years old. His family has a long history of involvement with the sea, with his great grandfather being a coastal trader. However, Phillips is the only member of his family to become a full-time fisherman. He owns and operates an 83-foot dragger named F/V ILLUSION, fishing out of Greenport, Long Island, New York, and New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Paul Swain is a retired auctioneer, lumper, and government worker who has spent his entire life associated with the fishing industry. His father was a fisherman from Newfoundland, and Swain followed in his footsteps, working in various roles on the waterfront. He spent 40 years with the National Marine Fisheries Service before retiring 10 years ago. Swain has held a variety of jobs on the waterfront, including painting, lumping, icing, and working for the Federal government. Jim Dwyer is a lumper and the head of the Lumper's Union.

Paul Lane is a seasoned professional in the fishing industry, currently serving as the Marine Operations Manager and Safety Officer at Fleet Fisheries Inc. Born in Fall River, he has spent his entire life in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Lane's family has a long history in the fishing industry, with his mother being from a Sicilian fishing family and his father alternating between the fishing industry and tug boats. Lane initially pursued a career with the Shell Oil Company but later returned to the fishing industry, where he worked in shore support .

Joe Kaknes is a retired fisherman from Gloucester, Massachusetts. He was born in 1950 and grew up in the Bay View neighborhood of Gloucester. His family background is a mix of Greek and Irish heritage. Joe Kaknes is known for his experiences in the fishing industry, particularly swordfishing, and his insights into the challenges and changes faced by fishermen over the years.

Jim Dwyer and Paul Swain are seasoned veterans of the fishing industry, residing in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Their extensive experience and deep knowledge of the industry, its history, and its community make them valuable sources of information. 

Patricia Gerrior is a retired fisheries biologist with a career spanning over 35 years in the federal government. She has worked extensively in New Bedford and has seen significant changes in the field over the years. Gerrior has been involved in various aspects of fisheries science, including the Fisheries Observer Program, regulations, stock cycles/declines, and marine mammal/right whales research. She has also worked with the commercial shipping industry. Gerrior has been a strong advocate for women in the field, facing and overcoming discrimination during her career.

Phil Ashworth is a 49-year-old former fisherman of European American descent, residing in Dartmouth, Massachusetts]. He was born and raised primarily in New Bedford and its surrounding areas. Ashworth comes from a family with a rich history in the city of New Bedford. His grandfather served as the chief of police in the 1950s and 60s, and his father was a fisherman and a state trooper. Ashworth himself has a deep connection with the sea, having spent a significant part of his life as a fisherman.

Richard Pasquill is a successful seafood restaurant owner and manager based in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. Born in Fairhaven, Pasquill comes from a Canadian (Newfoundland) background. His family has a long history in the fishing industry, with his father being a well-known figure in the New Bedford fishing community.

Phil Ashworth is a seasoned fisherman with a career spanning over seventeen years. He began his career in the late '70s after completing school through CETA. His first job was on a scalloping boat, the Ellen Louise, under the captaincy of Jimmy Tinker from Maine. Despite having no prior experience in scalloping, Ashworth's hard work and determination earned him the respect of his crewmates and a full share on the boat. Over the years, Ashworth worked on various boats, including Portuguese draggers, and held master's papers for several vessels.

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.

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.

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.

Ralph Fulford is the son of 'Tink" Fulford, a fisherman, who had the Dixie Fish Co. and later the Fulford Fish Co.  Ralph ran the fish house from 1946 on.  He talks about the processing and operation of a fish house.  Also, he discusses his part in founding the Cortez Historical Society. 

Raymond Pringle, Jr. discusses family life, fishing with various others, seine and gill netting.  He expresses bitterness about all the regulations imposed on commercial fishing.

In this interview, Rita Warden, discusses her family history; they migrated to Florida from Canada.  Though not a Cortez fisherman, Rita's husband was a carpenter and farmer in Michigan.  They wintered in Cortez from 1938 on. She talks about trailer park living and her husband's fishing when here.  Rita's husband did some shrimp netting too.  They are friends with the Guthries, one of whom was a fisherman and bridge tender.

This interview has two tracks, one an interview with Julian Culbreath and the other some music played on his fiddle with Leo Gale on guitar.  The interview discusses Culbreath's family history and fishing. Culbreath's family was musical.  A lot is about his musical career and the formation of The Cortez Grand Old Opry. The music tape has "The Cortez Rag" and "The Orange Blossom Special."

In this interview, Paul Taylor talks about his family, his fishing life, living in the Ilbion Inn and his views on fishing.  Taylor's father came to Cortez from North Carolina.  

"My grandfather was a fisherman. His father was a whaler." Stephen Fougere learned to become a fisherman from his father, a day dragger in Newport, R.I. Mr. Fougere left school at age sixteen to go fishing and became a captain of a fishing boat by age eighteen. He provides detailed information about the fishing industry in Newport R.I. from the 1930's to the present -- the various fisheries which have comprised the industry, the people involved in it, boats and equipment used, grounds fished, and changes that have taken place which continue to affect the industry in important ways. Mr.

In 1945, Anthony Bucolo's father, a fish peddler, became part owner of Talman and Mack Fish and Trap Company in Newport, R.I. Anthony Bucolo's association with Newport's fishing industry began at that time. In 1956, Mr. Bucolo started his own business, Anthony's Seafood; in 1986, his business was sold. His operation played an extremely important role in Newport's fishing industry. Mr. Bucolo's business progressed from the handling of lobsters, to lobsters, fish, retail and wholesale, to the addition of a seafood restaurant. Mr.

 In 1945, Anthony Bucolo's father, a fish peddler, became part owner of Talman and Mack Fish and Trap Company in Newport, R.I. Anthony Bucolo's association with Newport's fishing industry began at that time. In 1956, Mr. Bucolo started his own business, Anthony's Seafood; in 1986, his business was sold. His operation played an extremely important role in Newport's fishing industry. Mr. Bucolo's business progressed from the handling of lobsters, to lobsters, fish, retail and wholesale, to the addition of a seafood restaurant. Mr.

On December 9, 1993, Michael Jepson interviewed several speakers as part of the Vanishing Culture Project. The interview took place in Cortez, Florida, and covers topics related to the island's history, culture, and environment. One of the narrators provides background information about Tidy Island and discusses the two marked Indian burial grounds from the Aboriginal period and the museum's dedication to both Indigenous culture and the original white settlers on the island.

On May 26, 1993, Michael Jepson interviewed Mark Taylor for the Vanishing Culture Project in Cortez, Florida. Mark Taylor, a longtime resident of the area, grew up in the fishing community and worked as a commercial fisherman. The interview focuses on Taylor’s extensive knowledge of local fishing grounds, changes in the landscape, and the impact of development on the marine environment. Taylor begins by describing the geography of the region, including waterways such as Wild Irishman’s Cut, Grassy Point, and Ike’s Creek, and their importance for fishing, particularly for mullet.

Freddie Matherne takes us on a trip around the bayous and coast of Louisiana in this interview about the changing coastline. He describes navigating the bayous and canals for shrimping, logging, fishing, and crabbing. With 50 years of experience shrimping, he details his process of catching and preserving the best shrimp through knowledge of the waters, cleanliness, boats, and attention to improvements in technology, like cell phones and GPS. Matherne also discusses his interactions with oil companies while shrimping and his work for shrimp drying platforms with his father at a young age.

Marshall Borel discusses his early life and his father who was a fisherman in the 1930's.  He described crabbing in the Atchafalaya Basin with a roller line.  He talks about the different kinds of fish he caught as well as frogs.  He talks about the net he made specifically to catch frogs.  He boasts working forty hours a week and never missing it.

The father and son duo, Paul and Mathieu Lemieux, have run the successful New Bedford, MA shoreside business, Blue Fleet, for over twenty years. Throughout their lifetimes working with the fishing industry, the two have drawn upon their optimistic outlooks, values of respect, and continual adaptability for support and strength within a frequently changing and challenging industry. Paul Lemieux is a seasoned shoreside business owner and operator hailing from the coastal town of New Bedford, Massachusetts. He is the founder of Blue Fleet Welding.

Willis Blount, a distinguished fisherman and shipbuilder, was born in Putnam, Connecticut, in 1945. He inherited his maritime passion from a family deeply entrenched in shipbuilding and fishing traditions. Blount's early exposure to the maritime world led him to develop a connection to both shipbuilding and fishing. His journey encompassed innovative contributions to the industry and a lifelong dedication to the sea.

Edward and Brad Robin are two oyster fishermen from Yscloskey.  They explain the process of how to catch oysters and the technology and terms used in the trade.  They mentioned the problems since the BP Oil Spill and hardships and struggles to keep all of their employees.  They also discussed the pirate wars between Mississippi and Louisiana.  Edward described life after World War II when he started Robin’s Seafood and the modern changes to the way oysters are caught from when he started as a child.

Paul Nosworthy, a retired shoreside business owner from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, possesses a wealth of maritime knowledge and experience. His career began with boat repairs and sailing on tall ships like Westward, Pride of Baltimore, and Clearwater. With a foundation in diesel mechanics, he established New England Marine Engineering, specializing in industrial refrigeration and electrical repairs for New Bedford's fishing fleet. 

Edward Robin talks about his experience in the oyster industry in St. Bernard Parish.  He talks about the oyster drudge mechanism as well as the advancements in the oyster industry since he started out in 1947.  Robin discusses the new rules and regulations oyster fishermen must abide by.  He also discusses the oyster canning business and the various oyster canning facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi.  He talks about the detrimental effect that hurricanes have on oysters.  He also talks about crabbing, specifically the different stages of crabs.

Captain Larry Yacubian is a seasoned commercial fisherman with a rich maritime heritage. Born in Westport Point, Massachusetts, Yacubian comes from a long line of fishermen, tracing his roots back to his father's family in Nova Scotia. His career in fishing has seen him progress from a "shacker" to the captain of his own boat, demonstrating his deep understanding and experience in the industry. Yacubian currently resides in Punta Gorda, Florida.

Renee Rusco is a commercial fisherman and cook originally from Mississippi. Born and raised in the Mississippi delta, Rusco left her home at the age of eighteen to seek adventure and see the world . She spent a significant amount of time in Houston, Texas before moving to the Pacific Northwest, specifically Portland, Oregon, Vancouver, Washington, and eventually settling in Astoria, Oregon where she lives on a fishing boat. Rusco has fished from Alaska down the Pacific Coast and has earned respect in her field by always pulling her weight.

Galon "Skip" Barlow is a retired shellfisherman and seafood restaurant owner from Buzzards Bay Village, Bourne, Massachusetts. Born into a family with a long history dating back to the 1600s in Cape Cod, Skip's lineage includes sea captains and notorious figures. His father, a navy veteran and canal pilot, instilled in him a love for the coastal habitat and shellfishing from a young age. Skip began his career in shellfishing in his early teens, learning the trade from his father. However, after realizing the difficulty of the profession, he returned to school.

Jon Broderick is a seasoned fisherman and a retired school teacher, born in San Francisco, California. Despite coming from a family with no ties to the fishing industry, Broderick found his calling in the waters of Alaska. He has been setting nets for salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska with his family for over 25 years. His sons, despite their diverse career paths, have embraced the tradition and often join him in the fishing season. Broderick is also known for his participation in the Astoria Fisherpoets Gathering.

Bob Quinn and Helene Quinn and their ancestors have lived and worked on Eagle Island in Penobscot Bay Maine for generations. Bob got his start working on a pumper in the sardine industry and eventually began lobstering. Bob is now passing the torch to his grandson, Sam, who is eagerly embracing a life at sea. Helene Quinn is Bob's wife. She hails from Rockland, Maine, and has deep roots on Eagle Island. Samuel Quinn Russo, aged 12 during the interview, is Bob and Helene's grandson. He represents the younger generation that is actively embracing the family's fishing traditions. 

Karen Willis Amspacher is a dedicated advocate for the working waterfront community of Harker’s Island, North Carolina, where she was born and raised. She is the founder of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center, an institution that celebrates and preserves the local traditions of boat building and decoy carving. Amspacher's family has a long history in boat building, and she has worked tirelessly to support and develop new markets for local seafood. She is also actively involved in addressing the challenges of gentrification and regulations that impact her community.

Interview Mike Pettis.

Interview with Terrie Richards.

Interview with Dave McCutcheon.

Gene law is a fisherman in Newport, Oregon. He grew up in Half Moon Bay, California, and moved to Newport in 1980. He started fishing in high school with a friend, and bought his first boat, a 30 footer, after he graduated high school. He mainly fishes for Dungeness crab, but has also fished for tuna, salmon, shrimp, box crabs, sardines, and herring. His wife is very involved in his job as well, and they have four children. His son Matthew has his PhD in Chemical Engineering, and his younger son runs their 83-foot boat.

Interview with Tony Pettis.

Ray Johnson is a member of the Rotary Club of Port Orford, Oregon. He was 91 years old at the time of the interview, in 2016. Ray and his wife, Charlotte Johnson (maiden name Best), moved to Port Orford in 1978 after they retired. They have 3 sons, two that live in Eugene and one that lives in Port Orford. They lived in Los Angeles for many years, Ray working in the aerospace industry and Charlotte working as a nurse. Ray also lived in Australia for 5 to 10 years. They were both very involved in the community, helping start the Sixes Fire District and the Common Good, a local food bank.

Spencer Nebel is the City Manager in the City of Newport, Oregon. Spencer and his wife have lived in Newport for about three years, and lived in Michigan prior to that, working as the City Manager there as well. 

Interview with Gary Ripka.

Interview with Jim Protiva.

Dr. Dixon Butler, the Founder and President of YLACES, serves as a consultant to a diverse range of organizations, including government agencies, non-profits, foundations, and corporations, offering his extensive knowledge in various science-related fields. His areas of expertise encompass science and information system management, satellite mission planning, STEM and environmental education, budget and appropriations, remote sensing, energy, environmental, nuclear, science, and space policy.

Jerry C. Bostick is a former NASA employee who played a significant role in the space agency's early years. His journey with NASA began when he was in college, where he initially planned to become a structural engineer and accepted a job with Boeing in Seattle. However, a chance encounter at his college's placement office led him to interview with a representative from NASA Langley Research Center, despite already having accepted a job elsewhere. Impressed by the interview, Bostick decided to join NASA and began his career at the Langley Research Center in January 1962.

Dr. Reta Beebe is an accomplished astrophysicist with a rich background in astronomy and computer science. Born to a father who was a cowboy turned private contractor, Beebe grew up in the countryside and attended a small three-room school. Beebe's journey into the world of astrophysics began when she and her husband, Herbert A. Beebe, decided to pursue graduate studies. They attended the University of Idaho, where they took makeup classes in math and physics to supplement their backgrounds in chemical engineering and chemistry.

Anthony John Calio is a distinguished figure in the field of science and engineering, with a career spanning multiple decades and various prestigious institutions. He pursued his education at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a B.A. in Physics in 1953 , and continued his postgraduate studies at the same university and later at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Oakland, California, in 1959. He also attended Stanford University as a Sloan Fellow in 1974. Before joining NASA, Calio served in the United States Army Chemical Corps from 1954 to 1956.

Dr. Eric Barron is a renowned geologist and oceanographer who has made significant contributions to the field of Earth System Science. His interest in geology began as early as third grade, and he pursued this passion through his undergraduate studies at Florida State University, where he also had the opportunity to take graduate classes in oceanography. He continued his academic journey at the University of Miami, where he completed his graduate studies in oceanography. Dr.

Bretton Alexander is a prominent figure in the commercial space industry. He began his career at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as a Senior Policy Analyst for Space Issues, covering NASA, NOAA, and some national security space activities from May 2000 to January 2005. During this time, he was one of the primary authors of the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE) announced by President George W. Bush in 2004. The VSE emphasized NASA's return to exploration beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO), leaving LEO to both international and commercial activities.

Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan is a distinguished American geologist and a former NASA astronaut. Born on October 3, 1951, in Paterson, New Jersey, she became the first American woman to walk in space on October 11, 1984, during the Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-41-G. Sullivan's academic background includes a bachelor's degree in Earth sciences from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Ph.D. in geology from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Dr. Emory Anderson was born on September 11, 1939, in Kenmare, North Dakota. He attended Dana College, majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Physics. After graduating, he became a high school math teacher. After two years of teaching, Anderson decided he wanted to pursue a career involving wildlife and the outdoors. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he first took preliminary science courses to prepare him for graduate school. During this time, he worked as a fish hatchery technician, encouraging him to pursue fisheries science.

Walter Blogoslawski was born in New Britain, Connecticut on February 8, 1943. He received his Bachelor's from Fairfield University, a Master's in Marine Science at Long Island University, and later a PhD. at Fordham University in 1971. He began working at Milford Laboratory in 1971 as a microbiologist and is retiring this year.

On May 6, 1987, Nancy Solomon interviewed brothers Lenny and Danny Koch as part of the Long Island Traditions Oral History Collection. Lenny and Danny grew up in Baldwin, New York, where their family developed deep ties to the boating and fishing industries. Their grandfather was a captain and their father, along with many other relatives, worked as a fisherman in the region. Lenny’s career along the eastern seaboard has included diverse activities, from shrimping in Florida to dragging off the Connecticut shoreline.

Rodney Avila is a retired commercial fisherman who fished for over 60 years. He is a fourth generation fisherman, his son is the fifth generation. He tells a few stories from his career about storms at sea, pranks and jokes, unusual catches, and his worse trip.

Bill Adler, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association, began lobstering in 1963 and has remained involved in the industry since. He started by gathering sea moss off the coast of Marshfield and transitioned to lobstering. Adler holds a master's degree in English and taught school while continuing to lobster. He has been involved in the politics of the lobstering industry and holds positions in various commissions and organizations, including the Lobster Institute.

Galon "Skip" Barlow is a long time fishermen from Cape Cod. He tells about a trip he took into Buzzards Bay forty years ago. 

Mr. Barlow describes a day shellfishing which did not go as he planned.

Fernando Gonzalez was born in Guatemala City. After coming to the United States, he began shrimping out of Bayou La Batre, AL. He has been a commercial fisherman for over 30 years, fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, San Pedro, CA and New England. He discusses his own close calls and the loss of several of the New Bedford fleet.

Jimmy Dwyer has been a lumper in New Bedford since 1960. He talks about his work as a lumper, his connection with a vessel lost at sea, his very short fishing career, and the nicknames of those on the New Bedford waterfront.

Dave Casoni has been a lobsterman for 40 years. He discusses how the industry has changed and about his life as a lobsterman.

Jon Campbell discusses life growing up in a fishing community.

Tammy Frye is a former fisherman as well as the daughter, wife and mother of fishermen. She tells about the loss of her two grandfathers at sea, her time fishing with her husband, how she found out she was pregnant, and the decisions her sons have made about their careers at sea.

Bill Gell was a pilot who flew a spotter plane for swordfishermen in the 1970's and 1980's. He shares the story of a practical joke he played on Rodney Avila as well as life as a pilot.