As an only child, Stephanie Anderson grew up with a large, close-knit, extended family in Pin Point, Georgia—a small Gullah Geechee community founded in 1896, eleven miles southeast of Savannah, in Chatham County. Ms. Anderson was raised and influenced by several strong, independent women.

Primus Butler was born on January 31, 1932 in Thunderbolt, Georgia—five miles southeast of Savannah in Chatham County. In his youth, he fished and learned how to swim in the river behind Savannah State University. Before he completed high school he was drafted for the Korean War and served one year. He returned and graduated from Beach High School and briefly attended Savannah State College until his GI Bill expired. Mr.

Rebecca Bonds Bowen, better known as “Miss Sula,” was born in 1946 in Pin Point, Georgia—a small Gullah Geechee community founded in 1896, eleven miles southeast of Savannah, in Chatham County. Growing up, Miss Sula was often the primary caregiver for her younger siblings because her parents would leave early in the morning to either catch or pick crabs. In her early 20s, Miss Sula was employed as a crab picker but was persuaded by her mother to pursue her education for a better life. Miss Sula entered the nursing field and worked in various care facilities throughout Georgia.

Mr. Kenneth Dunham describes his early life in the rural coastal Georgia community of Harris Neck. Kenneth describes his father's role in the community as a boat builder, and how lessons in woodwork, carpentry, and boat building have been passed for generations. Kenneth talks about (and demonstrates) how nets and "trap lines" are made, as well as recounts how the different fishes, crabs, and terrapins were caught in this homemade gear.

Mr. Leroy Beavers grew up in a fishing family in McIntosh County in Sherman Bluff, Georgia—30 miles south of Savannah. His love for fishing, imparted by his grandfather, deepened as he grew older. He fished often while stationed in various locations during his 20 years of military service.

Mrs. Lucy Mae Grant was born in 1930 in the small coastal community of Sherman Bluff, Georgia in McIntosh County—30 miles south of Savannah. Growing up, fishing was essential within her family and community and throughout her married life. Her husband was a shrimp boat captain and they had three children. However, the family connection to fishing did not extend to her two sons, who hated fishing and chose to enter the military instead. Mrs.

Reverend Robert Thorpe, one of the original members of the Harris Neck community explains fishing, crabbing, and oyster picking in McIntosh County, Georgia. He recounts the locations and ownership succession of oyster factories in the area. Thorpe's oral history describes how catch was sold in Harris Neck and surrounding communities to support his family; the roles of men and women working in oyster plants; and wintertime trapping as a way to supplement fishing income.

Olive Smith is one of the original members of the Harris Neck community in McIntosh County Georgia. In her oral history, she explains how her mother provided food for the family by picking oysters at low tide during the winters and catching crabs. Olive's account is a brief glimpse of what life was like for the women of this fishing community.

Interview with Kelly Bennette.

Interview with Herb Goblirsch.

Interview with Justin Yager.

Interview with John Holt.

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 Keith Cochran.

Interview with Gary Ripka.

Interview with Jim Auborn.

Interview with Jim Protiva.

Interview with Dale and Paula Dearing.

Interview Mike Pettis.

Interview with Mark and Nanci Cooper.

Interview with Kevin Dixon.

Interview with Mark Saelens.

Interview with Paul Garett.

Interview with Phyllis Johns.

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.

Interview with Ryan Sokol.

Dr. Russell Brown is a distinguished fisheries scientist with a Ph.D. in Fisheries from Michigan State University, as well as an M.S. in Fisheries and a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Cornell University. With over two decades of experience in the field, Dr. Brown has made significant contributions to fisheries research and management. Russell began his career in 1994 at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, where he worked as a stock assessment biologist specializing in haddock and Gulf of Maine winter flounder.

Phillip Cisrow is a seasoned oyster shucker from the Whittington-Cisrow family, recognized for his expertise and achievements as a state champion in New Jersey. His proficiency in oyster shucking is not merely a professional endeavor but also a family tradition, indicating a deep-rooted connection to the industry. Cisrow's skills extend beyond his primary occupation, as he is also known for his interest in playing pool. His involvement in the oyster industry and his participation in related competitions highlight his dedication and passion for his craft.

Interview with Luther Ennett, real estate broker in Sneads Ferry

Interview with Kim Midgett, wife of Johnny Wayne Midgett

Interview with Lisa Whitman-Grice, Division Head of Onslow County Museum

Interview with Kern Everett, educator, real estate developer and lifelong resident of Sneads Ferry

Interview with Johnny Wayne Midgett in 2003

Interview with Johnny, a deckhand

Interview with Johnny Terwilliger, owner of  The Riverview, a restaurant in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina.  

Interview with Michael “Chops” Cowdrey, a lifelong fisherman

Interview with Mack, veteran shrimper, and his wife Ellen Liverman

Interview with Mack Liverman, a veteran fisherman

Interview with Michael and Lisa Cowdrey. Michael "Chops" Cowdrey is a lifelong fisherman.

Roy Crawford is a retired forensic engineer with a specialized background as a licensed coal mining engineer. His professional journey is deeply rooted in the Carr Creek area of Knott County, Kentucky, where his family has historical ties through the ownership of mineral rights. Crawford's career encompassed a pivotal role where he bridged the gap between administrative offices and the operational frontlines of the mines. His expertise in the field of engineering, coupled with his intimate knowledge of the local mining industry, positioned him as a key figure in legal proceedings.

Russell Brohl, a retired ship captain and member of the port authority, is a long-term resident of South Bass Island, Ohio, with deep roots in the local community. His life has been intricately woven into the fabric of the island, where he has witnessed and participated in its evolution over the years. Brohl's background is a tapestry of experiences that range from the day-to-day management of island affairs to the stewardship of its natural and cultural heritage.

Interview with Murray Guthrie, longtime community member of Sneads Ferry

Interview with Nancy Edens in 2003.  Nancy is an activist for fishermen and promoter of "Wild Caught" shrimp.

Interview with Nancy Sneads, activist for fishermen and promoter of "Wild Caught" shrimp

Interview with Michael Voiland, former Executive Director, North Carolina Sea Grant

Interview with Patricia Huie, Collections Manager, Onslow County Museum

Interview with Mogie Norris, veteran shrimper

Robert Todd is a descendant of a long line of shrimp fishermen, with roots deeply entrenched in the trade that spans over four generations. Born and raised in the coastal enclave of Valona, McIntosh County, Todd's life has been inextricably linked to the sea and the shrimping industry from a tender age. His early exposure to the family business under the tutelage of his father and grandfather instilled in him a profound appreciation for the craft of shrimping.

Narrator Ray Van Houten, of Big Pine Key, Florida, was a "Jack of all trades" and recreational fisher who lived aboard his boat. Born in the early 20th century, Van Houton witnessed the transformation of the Florida Keys from a remote string of islands to a bustling tourist destination. He grew up in a time when the Keys were largely undeveloped, and the economy was primarily driven by fishing and small-scale agriculture.

Richard A. Whitman is a seasoned fisherman with deep roots in Rockland, Maine, where he has spent his entire life of 48 years. Born into a family with Italian and Sicilian heritage, Whitman's connection to the sea and fishing is a product of both his lineage and his environment. From a young age, he was drawn to the waters that have long provided sustenance and livelihood to the people of Rockland. Over the years, Whitman has gained extensive experience in various sectors of the fishing industry, mastering techniques for catching herring, salmon, scallop, lobster, and shrimp.

Interview with Robert Edens, lifelong fisherman.  He is the son of Betty and John Edens.

Interview with Scott Norris, a fisherman and the son of Clara and Luther Norris

Interview with Terry Huie, wife of a fisherman

Interview with Shannon Huie, son of a fisherman

Interview with Sherry Thurston, an artist and teacher

Interview with Richard Norris, veteran shrimper

Stanley Sargent, born in 1965 in Stonington, Maine, is a seasoned commercial fisherman hailing from the rugged coastlines of Maine, a state renowned for its rich maritime heritage. Born into a family with deep roots in the fishing industry, Sargent's life has been inextricably linked to the sea from an early age. His forebears were among the hardy souls who braved the Atlantic's capricious moods to haul in the bounties of the ocean, passing down their knowledge and passion for the craft through generations.

This oral history is part of the West Side Stories project of the Kodiak Historical Society. West Side Stories is a public humanities and art project that intended to document the history of the west side of Kodiak Island through oral history, photography, and art. The oral histories chart the personal stories of individuals with a longtime connection to the west side of Kodiak Island, defined for the scope of this project as the area buffeted by the Shelikof Strait that stretches from Kupreanof Strait south to the village of Karluk.

This oral history is part of the West Side Stories project of the Kodiak Historical Society. West Side Stories is a public humanities and art project that intended to document the history of the west side of Kodiak Island through oral history, photography, and art. The oral histories chart the personal stories of individuals with a longtime connection to the west side of Kodiak Island, defined for the scope of this project as the area buffeted by the Shelikof Strait that stretches from Kupreanof Strait south to the village of Karluk.

Theodore M. 'Ted' Joseph was born in Chilmark, Massachusetts, and grew up in Quisset, Massachusetts. During World War II, Ted served in the US Army Air Corps from 1940 to 1945, participating in the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign. After the war, Ted joined the Town of Falmouth as a Police Officer, serving from 1946 to 1950. Following his tenure in law enforcement, he worked alongside his father at the Harborview Fish Market in Falmouth Harbor. He also contributed to the operations of Ed's Cleaners before becoming a caretaker at the Gifford Estate in Penzance Point, Woods Hole.

Tony Iorucci is a seasoned commercial fisherman with over two decades of experience in the Florida Bay area. His life has been deeply intertwined with the sea, having spent the majority of his career navigating the waters around the Florida Keys. Tony's expertise extends beyond the act of fishing itself; he possesses a profound understanding of the local marine environment, the behavior of various fish species, and the intricacies of the fishing industry.

Susan Playfair, Scituate, Massachusetts, is an author and researcher with a deep interest in environmental and marine issues. She wrote a book on the faith of New England fisheries Vanishing Species and has dedicated a significant portion of her career to exploring the complexities of the fishing industry and its ecological impact. Playfair holds a degree in biology, which has provided her with a strong foundation for understanding the scientific aspects of marine ecosystems and the human activities that affect them.

Sherry Parks was born and raised in the rural landscapes of Kentucky, where she spent her formative years immersed in the tight-knit community of Carr Creek. Her upbringing was characterized by the simplicity and warmth of rural life, where education often took place in modest one-room schoolhouses. Sherry's family roots in Carr Creek run deep, with her ancestors having settled in the area, contributing to the local culture and economy.

Vicki Impallomeni is a wilderness guide and charter fishing captain with a rich history of navigating the waters of the Florida Keys. Her life has been deeply intertwined with the sea, having spent countless hours steering her vessel through the intricate waterways of this unique archipelago. Impallomeni's expertise extends beyond mere navigation; she possesses an intimate knowledge of the local marine environment, acquired through years of observation and interaction with the natural elements of the region.

Tori Pilger is a marine biologist who worked as an observer for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center fishery monitoring Operations Branch. Pilger graduated from college with a degree in marine biology and moved to Texas before joining the observer program through East West Technical Services. Pilger trained in 2018 and spent three years as an observer, primarily on single-day trips on scalloping day boats due to chronic seasickness.

This oral history is part of the West Side Stories project of the Kodiak Historical Society. West Side Stories is a public humanities and art project that intended to document the history of the west side of Kodiak Island through oral history, photography, and art. The oral histories chart the personal stories of individuals with a longtime connection to the west side of Kodiak Island, defined for the scope of this project as the area buffeted by the Shelikof Strait that stretches from Kupreanof Strait south to the village of Karluk.

This oral history is part of the West Side Stories project of the Kodiak Historical Society. West Side Stories is a public humanities and art project that intended to document the history of the west side of Kodiak Island through oral history, photography, and art. The oral histories chart the personal stories of individuals with a longtime connection to the west side of Kodiak Island, defined for the scope of this project as the area buffeted by the Shelikof Strait that stretches from Kupreanof Strait south to the village of Karluk.

This oral history is part of the West Side Stories project of the Kodiak Historical Society. West Side Stories is a public humanities and art project that intended to document the history of the west side of Kodiak Island through oral history, photography, and art. The oral histories chart the personal stories of individuals with a longtime connection to the west side of Kodiak Island, defined for the scope of this project as the area buffeted by the Shelikof Strait that stretches from Kupreanof Strait south to the village of Karluk.

This oral history is part of the West Side Stories project of the Kodiak Historical Society. West Side Stories is a public humanities and art project that intended to document the history of the west side of Kodiak Island through oral history, photography, and art. The oral histories chart the personal stories of individuals with a longtime connection to the west side of Kodiak Island, defined for the scope of this project as the area buffeted by the Shelikof Strait that stretches from Kupreanof Strait south to the village of Karluk.

This oral history is part of the West Side Stories project of the Kodiak Historical Society. West Side Stories is a public humanities and art project that intended to document the history of the west side of Kodiak Island through oral history, photography, and art. The oral histories chart the personal stories of individuals with a longtime connection to the west side of Kodiak Island, defined for the scope of this project as the area buffeted by the Shelikof Strait that stretches from Kupreanof Strait south to the village of Karluk.

This oral history is part of the West Side Stories project of the Kodiak Historical Society. West Side Stories is a public humanities and art project that intended to document the history of the west side of Kodiak Island through oral history, photography, and art. The oral histories chart the personal stories of individuals with a longtime connection to the west side of Kodiak Island, defined for the scope of this project as the area buffeted by the Shelikof Strait that stretches from Kupreanof Strait south to the village of Karluk.

This oral history is part of the West Side Stories project of the Kodiak Historical Society. West Side Stories is a public humanities and art project that intended to document the history of the west side of Kodiak Island through oral history, photography, and art. The oral histories chart the personal stories of individuals with a longtime connection to the west side of Kodiak Island, defined for the scope of this project as the area buffeted by the Shelikof Strait that stretches from Kupreanof Strait south to the village of Karluk.

This oral history is part of the West Side Stories project of the Kodiak Historical Society. West Side Stories is a public humanities and art project that intended to document the history of the west side of Kodiak Island through oral history, photography, and art. The oral histories chart the personal stories of individuals with a longtime connection to the west side of Kodiak Island, defined for the scope of this project as the area buffeted by the Shelikof Strait that stretches from Kupreanof Strait south to the village of Karluk.

This oral history is part of the West Side Stories project of the Kodiak Historical Society. West Side Stories is a public humanities and art project that intended to document the history of the west side of Kodiak Island through oral history, photography, and art. The oral histories chart the personal stories of individuals with a longtime connection to the west side of Kodiak Island, defined for the scope of this project as the area buffeted by the Shelikof Strait that stretches from Kupreanof Strait south to the village of Karluk.

Chris Petersen, a professor of biology and ecology at College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME.  He has worked with undergraduates on Mount Desert Island, at multiple locations in the Caribbean, and the Pacific Northwest, and is currently collaborating with researchers with several groups in Maine including the Penobscot East, the University of Maine, and Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory.

Bobby Ingalls is a seasoned lobster fisherman from Bucks Harbor, Maine, with decades of experience in the industry. Known for his resilience and love for the sea, Bobby embraces the traditional aspects of fishing and values sustainable practices.

Reggie Lee, from Westport Island near Boothbay Harbor, is a versatile fisherman who has dabbled in lobstering, dragging, shrimping, and eel trapping throughout his 46-year career. Reggie is transitioning to longlining and eagerly explores new fishing opportunities while advocating for the preservation of smaller-scale fisheries.

Dave Cousens is a veteran lobster fisherman from Waterman's Beach, South Thomaston, Maine. He played a crucial role in fostering cooperation between American and Canadian lobster fishermen. Dave's dedication to sustainable fishing practices and his efforts to educate younger generations about the industry have made him a respected leader in the lobster community.

Daniel Devereaux, from Brunswick, ME, is harbor master, clam warden, and cofounder of Mere Point Oyster Company in Maquoit Bay.

Scope and Content Note

Bruce Bourque lives in Freeport, ME, where he has taught archaeology and conducted research at Bates College since 1972. Now retired from teaching, he is working on a documentary film on the history of Maine's fisheries. Bourque came to the state originally to study Maine's prehistory, the period before 1600, and the people that lived on this coast. He was able to collaborate with others to combine this archaeological record with more recent accounts of fisheries history to build a longer timescale of context for how the Gulf of Maine has been changing.

Butch Harris is a seasoned fisherman and summertime charter captain from Eastport, Maine. He has spent the majority of his life engaging in lobstering, scalloping, and urchin diving. 

Scope and Content Note

Dana Morse, from Walpole, ME, is a seasoned professional in the field of aquaculture and marine resource management. With over two decades of experience as a member of the Maine Sea Grant Program, he has dedicated his career to education, research, and technology transfer in the industry. As a co-founder of the Nice Oyster Company, Morse is also an oyster farmer, bringing practical hands-on knowledge to his work and bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Scope and Content Note

Cormac Hondros-McCarthy, from Lowell, MA, is part of a team of engineers at LobsterLift LLC developing ropeless lobster traps to reduce the risk of whale entanglement.

Scope and Content Note

Chad Libby is in the 11th grade at Jonesport Beals High School. He has been a lobster fisherman for as long as he can remember. His goals for the future include to lobster fish, worm, and clam, and attend college for auto mechanics. 

Scope and Content Note

Russell Kingman grew up in Denis, a few towns over from Chatham, MA where he is now a weir fisherman and fisheries advocate. He has also done work as a clammer and a coast guard safety trainer, specializing in training fishermen in survival at sea. He is involved in local bands Poi Dog Pondering and SeaFire Kids, which focuses on fisheries music.

Philip Conkling grew up in the Hudson River valley and is the retired co-founder and former president of the Island Institute from Camden, ME. Since then, he has been engaged in environmental and nonprofit consulting.

Scope and Content Note

Mike Flanagan is a retired Merchant Marine captain with forty years of experience from Thomaston, ME. He works to support young Mainers in pursuing a similar career path and building the skills necessary to work out at sea. Flanagan has been involved with the Maine Ocean School and other organizations to promote maritime education and training for high school graduates.

Scope and Content Note

Sarah Madronal is a fisheries biologist from Cutler, ME. With a background in policy studies, she has focused her work on understanding the social structures and cultural significance surrounding fisheries, particularly alewives.

Scope and Content Note

Paul Anderson is a scientist and executive director for the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries from Winterport, ME.

Scope and Content Note

Sam Belknap, a project leader at the Island Institute from Damariscotta, ME. He is an anthropologist and climate scientist with a background in fishing. He currently works in the nonprofit sector because he wanted to engage in applied work that could bring about real-world change more quickly than academia or the policy world.

Scope and Content Note

Rodman Sykes is a seasoned commercial fisherman from Point Judith, Rhode Island. With 50 years of experience in the fishing industry, he represents the third generation of fishermen in his family. Sykes specializes in skate and ground fish.

Scope and Content Note

Parker Gassett, was a University of Maine graduate student in marine policy living in Camden, ME at the time of this interview.

Scope and Content Note

Sonya Corbett is a trap-maker with Sea Rose Trap Company in South Portland, ME.

Scope and Content Note

Dan Harriman is a fisherman who operates the state’s last mackerel weir in Cape Elizabeth, ME. His family came to the US from Denmark in the 1980s. He speaks about his experience fishing and discusses the issues he sees in the fishing industry such as unsustainability and lack of access. He believes these challenges stem from knowledge not being passed between generations and suggests that change needs to come from the bottom up.

Brenda Thomas, a former schooner boat captain from Rockland, ME, sails traditionally on national historic landmark schooners such as the S/V Isaac Evans. Thomas, as someone who has spent two decades on the water, speaks about her spectrum of positive and negative experiences of fishermen interacting with the boating communities.

John McMillan, the owner of McMillan Offshore Survival Training and resident of Belfast, ME, and Don Wagner, one of his employees, offer the Drill Conductor Course to lobstermen. Both focus on the importance of safety training in the lobster industry and include stories of the gratitude people have expressed at knowing what to do in emergency situations, particularly when their training was able to save multiple lives.

Bruce Fernald, a lobsterman from Little Cranberry Island, ME, speaks about his concerns for the future of his island community and the Maine lobster industry. He emphasizes the importance of getting internet out to islands to provide other options for making a living. Fernald also talks about how none of the young people in his family want to fish and that six generations of lobster fishing will end with this generation.

David Myslabodski, who was born in Mexico, lived in Israel, and is currently living in Rockland, ME, is a seaweed consultant. He describes his efforts to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of growing and processing seaweeds and speaks in detail about the economy, demand, production, and tensions in and around the seaweed industry in Maine.

David, Cynthia, and Emily Thomas are from Islesford, Cranberry Islands, ME. David is a retired school teacher and lobsterman, Cynthia works at the island library, and their daughter Emily attended college and now works in Nova Scotia, CA, though she grew up on the Cranberry Islands. They speak about the diversification of Islesford, temperature impacting the location of lobsters, and changes in island life, such as setting up reliable internet service but losing the island store.

Carl Schwab, a retired fisherman from Port Clyde, ME, who was not born into a fishing family, speaks about how he began to summer in Maine and work on fishing boats. He speaks about his experiences fishing for different species such as lobster, herring, and shrimp and the differences in his personal experience of fishing with his children’s growing up in this way of life.

Chris Bartlett, a marine extension associate with the University of Maine Sea Grant from Eastport, ME, whose work has focused on commercial fishing and aquaculture, speaks about the economic and social changes in Eastport during his time there.