Born and raised in Hawaii, Dr. Seki received his B.S. in Biology from the University of Oregon- Eugene, his M.S. in Oceanography from the University of Hawaii-Manoa, and his PhD in Marine Environment and Resources from Hokkaido University Graduate School of Fisheries Science in Hakodate. He began working with at the Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center in 1980. He is currently the Science Center Director.

Interview contains discussions of: Seabirds, high seas drift nets, satellite technology, seamounts, long line fisheries, swordfish, tuna, JIMAR.

Michael Rust is an aquaculture science advisor for NOAA in Silver Spring, Maryland and has spent the last two decades conducting aquaculture research at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center. He received his undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Colorado. He then served two years in the Peace Corps in the Philippines before returning to the United States. Rust pursued two Master’s degrees at the University ofCalifornia, one in International Agricultural Development and one in Animal Sciences. He also has a Ph.D. from the University of Washington.

Michael (Mike) Ford was born in Colorado in 1967. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Stanford University and his PhD in Population Genetics from Cornell University in 1991. In 1995, Mike began working at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center as a national research associate where he studied the local adaptations of Chinook salmon using molecular genetic data. Since 2003, Mike has been the Director of the Conservation Biology Division at the Center.

Marvin Grosslein was born October 24, 1929 in Seattle. He grew up in Minnesota where a summer job with the Minnesota Conservation Department sparked his interest in fisheries science. He graduated from the University of Minnesota before attending Cornell University for his PhD. For his doctoral thesis, Dr. Grosslein developed a survey program that would provide a basis for estimating catches of all species. His graduate work took him to Woods Hole in the summer of 1959. He began full time in 1961 after completing his PhD.

Kelo Pinkham is a seasoned fisherman with deep roots in the fishing industry, tracing his family's involvement back through generations. His career spans various facets of the industry, including flounder, cod, shrimp, and lobster fishing, primarily in the Gulf of Maine and the Sheepscot River. Pinkham's mother contributed to the family's fishing legacy by working in a fish processing plant. Throughout his career, Pinkham has witnessed significant shifts in fishing practices, the introduction of regulations, and the fluctuation of fish populations.

In 2007, Dan Warncke was a Natural Resources Officer and seasoned shellfisherman in Bourne, Massachusetts. His life and career have been inextricably linked to the waters and the shellfishing industry that defines much of the region's economic and cultural landscape. With years of hands-on experience, Warncke has witnessed the ebb and flow of the industry, adapting to the changes and challenges that have come with time.

David Slack is a shellfisher on Cape Cod, a region known for its robust shellfishing industry. His career trajectory took a significant turn when he transitioned from a conventional desk job to the more hands-on and physically demanding practice of shellfishing. This change not only reflects a personal choice but also underscores a broader narrative of individuals seeking livelihoods connected to their community and environment.

In 2007, Bob Wallace was a shellfish grower in the town of Wellfleet.  He has been an integral figure in the local shellfishing industry. His life's work has centered on the cultivation and harvesting of shellfish, a trade that has sustained his family for generations. Wallace's expertise in shellfishing is not only a testament to his personal dedication but also serves as a living connection to the region's maritime heritage. Over the years, he has witnessed the ebb and flow of the industry, adapting to the changing tides of environmental, economic, and regulatory landscapes.

In 2007, Bob Bryson was a seasoned shellfish grower with deep roots in the coastal community of Barnstable Harbor, Cape Cod. His life and work are inextricably linked to the ebb and flow of the tides that shape the shores and livelihoods of those who call this place home. Born into a family with a rich legacy in shellfishing, Bryson has spent decades nurturing the beds that yield clams, oysters, and other bivalves, ensuring that the tradition of shellfishing is not only preserved but also thrives for future generations.

In 2007, Pat and Barbara Woodbury were shellfish growers in the town of Wellfleet, who are deeply embedded in the shellfishing industry of Cape Cod. As shellfish growers, they have dedicated themselves to the cultivation and harvesting of shellfish, a practice that not only supports their livelihood but also contributes significantly to the local economy and cultural fabric of the region.

Tony Jackett is a former commercial fisherman who transitioned into the role of a shellfish officer. In 2007, Tony Jackett was the Shellfish Constable for the towns of Truro and Provincetown on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. His career has been marked by a dedication to the management and preservation of shellfish resources in the towns of Provincetown and Truro. Jackett's work involves navigating the complexities of regulatory changes and advocating for sustainable practices within the shellfish industry.

Heinz Proft serves as a Natural Resources Officer and Biologist in Harwich, a role that places him at the intersection of environmental management and community engagement. His career is marked by a commitment to the stewardship of marine resources, particularly shellfish, which are integral to the local economy and ecosystem. Proft's work encompasses a range of responsibilities, from overseeing shellfish populations to implementing regulations that ensure sustainable harvesting practices.

On August 26th, 1922, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Captain Sam Baker was born to a father who had immigrated from Lithuania in 1902 at the age of 15 and a mother who hailed from Louisville, Kentucky, born in 1900. After graduating from Clarksdale High School in June 1940, Baker pursued further studies, earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University in August 1943. In September 1943, he enlisted in the Marines and served in Hawaii, Guam, and Guadalcanal, where Baker joined the 6th Marine Division.

Scott B. Gudes was born on August 16, 1956, in Los Angeles, California, to a family with roots tracing back to Eastern Europe. His grandparents, all born in the late 1890s, were Jewish immigrants seeking freedom from persecution and economic opportunity. His upbringing in Buena Park and Fullerton, California, cultivated a deep passion for the ocean, with Gudes often found fishing or enjoying the beaches of Newport and Laguna.

Albert Oliveira Adams, Portuguese, was born May 21, 1909, in Nuuanu, Oahu.

Dr. Susan Abbott-Jamieson is a retired anthropologist with the Social Sciences Branch of NOAA, where she worked as the Senior Social Scientist in the Office of Science and Technology in the National Marine Fisheries Service. She joined the Air Force after high school, and later received a B.A. from Idaho State University and a Master’s and PhD. in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

"Dr. Sim Aberson is a meteorologist at NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division, located at AOML in Miami, FL. His research has focused on observing systems to give Hurricane Specialists at the National Hurricane Center information to improve their hurricane forecasts. He participates in NOAA’s annual Hurricane Field Program and has worked with different observing platforms, especially dropwindsondes, to optimize sampling from Hurricane Hunter Aircraft and the way the data are assimilated into forecast models.

Virginia Abston was born Virginia Johnson in Karluk, Alaska, to Tom and Annie Johnson. Her father was from Sweden, and her mother was a Norell, also of Swedish descent. Virginia grew up at Park’s Cannery, where her parents worked, and she had to leave for school since there was no school in the area. She spent her childhood in various places for schooling, including Bainbridge Island and Homer. Virginia married and had children, and she later went to college when her son started kindergarten.

Leif Albertson is an IT project manager residing in Phippsburg, Maine. His family has a deep-rooted history in commercial fishing in Maine, which influenced his decision to relocate his family to Maine. Albertson is an avid recreational fisherman and owns a fishing boat, which was a gift from his father. He is involved in recreational lobster fishing and holds a commercial license for tuna fishing. Albertson's family members, including cousins, are involved in lobster and shrimp fishing.

Nathan and Mike Abe are brothers who have dedicated their lives to fishing, following in the footsteps of their father and grandfather. Nathan learned the trade from his commercial fisherman father and continued the family tradition of netting opelu, a type of fish. He primarily focused on bottom fishing and inshore fishing. Mike, on the other hand, started fishing at a young age, netting opelu and later transitioning to boat fishing. He engaged in opelu and bottom fishing, often giving bait to others and selling the majority of the catch.

Wilson Acosta has been fishing since he was a boy.  Now in his 60's, he is considering selling his boat and retiring.

Jane De Lay is a female fisherman who has been fishing since 2003. She started in a conservation as a environmentalist for Save Our Shores, working on conserving and protecting the ocean from pollution and habitat protection, one day she was invited to go fishing and she was hooked. She specializes in salmon, crab, rockfish, albacore, and sometimes squid and goes fish trolling. She fishes in a boat that's 34 feet, single hull, and it's made out of fiber glass. When she fishes for salmon she only catches Chinook salmon in California waters.

Mike Hudson is a very selective Northern California Salmon and Crab Fisherman born in Reno Nevada, raised in Germany, and he currently reside in Berkeley. Hudson comes from a long line of Native American fisherman from Canada. He finds joy in catching fish and going to the Farmer's Market with his wife and seeing the satisfaction in his buyers' faces. Hudson explains to his audience that a fisherman hardly gets lost at sea because of the technologies and gizmos in the boat, and if that fails fisherman analyzes which way the waves and wind blows then sail towards shore.

Jane De Lay is a female fisherman who has been fishing since 2003. She started in a conservation as a environmentalist for Save Our Shores, working on conserving and protecting the ocean from pollution and habitat protection, one day she was invited to go fishing and she was hooked. She specializes in salmon, crab, rockfish, albacore, and sometimes squid and goes fish trolling. She fishes in a boat that's 34 feet, single hull, and it's made out of fiber glass. When she fishes for salmon she only catches Chinook salmon in California waters.

Jim Moser a local fisherman of salmon and albacore for thirty-seven years up and down the west coast. He admits that science has changed a fisherman's method of fishing and searching for fish has become more efficient. Monetary has changed as well; sometimes a fisherman's price offers does not agree with the market's pocket. Moser believes that salmon season would start back up again when policy makers finally fix the problem with water conditions and nature would take over after that.

Jiri Nozicka, a man born and raised in the Czech Republic, moved to Monterey in 1999 and has been fishing for more than 13 years up and down the Western Coast. He specializes in Fish Trawling and harvest a great variety of fish, such as: halibuts, sand dab, rockfish, black cod, etc. His passion and faith for fishing is very unique and strong.

Though he comes from the ocean-less land of the Czech Republic, Jiri Nozicka has developed a masterful understanding of fishing and its benefits. He explains that fishing as an industry does more than just put fresh fish in the hungry mouths of tourists every day, but provides a multitude of jobs at various levels within the fish to table process. Even those who work 9-5 jobs in processing plants or transporting the fish rely upon those who catch the actual product for their livelihood, an important symbiotic relationship that Jiri brings to light.

Joey Jones was a commercial fisherman who fished for salmon, albacore, anchovies, and herring along the central California coast. He speaks of how he got into commercial fishing, the boats he owned, and how the industry changed during the forty years he fished. Unfortunately, Joey Jones was lost at sea on April 3, 2008.

John is Northern California Abalone Farmer. In this interview he starts with the history of abalones; how they were mainly found in Asia and Asian cultured dishes, and the main consumers of abalones in America are the Asian community. Then he shares to his audience the hardships of raising baby Abalones to adulthood in their facility. He also makes a comparison between ocean-caged raised abalones and land farm abalones, and how his land-farmed facility has more controlled over raising abalones.

Michael Zucker is a Pacific Salmon and Albacore Fisherman. At first when he started in 1971 in Santa Barbara he fished for rockfish and a decade after that, in 1981, he owned his first boat named "The Alliance." He has the resources and networks to change his lifestyle and career but he stayed in the fishing industry because he was greatly attracted to the fishing lifestyle. He saw the fishing industry as a tribe that would gather together during salmon season, which would make him so much more excited about fishing The U.S.

Biographical Note:
Wayne Davis is a commercial lobsterman from Tremont, Maine.

Interview with Hazel Nishimura, Darryl Tagami, Betty Young, Marian Yong by Edward Glazier. All four interviewees are current or retired employees of the Honolulu Lab which became the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.

Bradford Brown was born in 1939 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell, his Master's from Auburn and his PhD from Oklahoma State University. He began working for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries at the Woods Hole lab in 1962. He worked in Woods Hole, Massachusetts from 1962 – 1965 and 1970- 1984. In between he served as Assistant Leader of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Oklahoma Cooperative Fisheries Units and as Assistant Professor of Zoology at Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Anne Richards was born the youngest of five children in Morristown, NJ on June 26, 1952 to parents from Ohio. She moved around a lot growing up and fell in love with New England when she lived here for a short time. Anne intentionally came back to New England to attend Colby College and studied marine Science and became interested in animal behavior. She attended the University of Rhode Island focusing on behavioral and ecological communities of fish in the Zoology department.

Biographical Note:
William “Bill” Needelman is the Waterfront Coordinator for the City of Portland, Maine. He was born in Portland, Maine on April 3, 1964.

Interview includes discussions of: experimental design, Chris Chambers‟s work in Newfoundland, life cycles of mosquitoes, flounder, cod, capelin, nuclear power plants, individual based models, and contaminants.

Chris Chambers describes his experience with experimenting with different species throughout his career, and how this led to becoming involved with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center.

Beth Phelan Hill, Ph.D. has been a research fishery biologist at the J.J. Howard Marine Sciences Lab at Sandy Hook since 1984. She earned her PhD from Rutgers University. At the time of this interview, she was the Chief of Fisheries Ecology.

Interview contains discussions of:Changes in focus for lab, ecology, ecosystem management, ocean acidification and climate change.

In this interview, Beth Phelan Hill discusses her work with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center including funding challenges and the evolution of data management.

Anthony Calabrese was born in Providence, RI on February 25, 1937. Growing up, he was interested in fishing and the ocean. Dr. Calabrese earned his masters at Auburn University in Alabama, and later earned his PhD in Zoology/Ecology from the University of Connecticut. He began his career at the Milford Laboratory in 1963. His early research focused on the effects of pollution on shellfish and he brought his expertise to EPA committees he served on. He published over 70 reports and publications and founded the Flatfish Biology Conference in 1986.

Barry Berejikianwas born in 1967 in Panorama City, California, and spent his childhood summers going north on camping and fishing trips, particularly for trout and salmon. As a behavior ecologist, he leads the Behavioral Ecology Team and the Hatchery Reform Science Program at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Manchester, Washington. He received his B.S. in Environmental and Systematic Biology from California Polytechnic State University in 1990 and his M.S. in 1992 and his PhD. in 1995 in Fisheries from the University of Washington.

Gordon Waring was born on July 19, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York. He earned his B.A. in Biology from Humboldt State College, his Master’s from Bridgewater State College, and his Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Waring began working for NOAA in 1973 and is a retired former team leader of the seal project within the Protected Species Branch at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center.

Gary Shepherd is a research fishery biologist with the Coastal Pelagic Resources Task in the Population Dynamics Branch of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. He started working for NMFS as a summer student aide in 1975 as a college freshman at UMass Dartmouth and did work-study in the Age and Growth Unit during his senior year. He went to Rutgers for graduate school where he conducted research on weakfish and striped bass populations.

Dr. Frank Parrish was inspired to pursue marine science by his Dad and his work. He learned to SCUBA dive at age 11 while living in Puerto Rico. His family moved to Hawaii just before he began high school where he spent these years volunteering for his Dad and recreational diving. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, his Master’s degree in Geography, and his PhD all from the University of Hawaii. He began working at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center as a biological aide, and is currently the Ecosystem Sciences Division Chief.

Edwin Rhodes was born in Milford, Connecticut on March 4, 1943. During high school, he visited the Milford Lab to ask about a science project. He met Victor Loosanoff, the Lab Director, who became a mentor. Ed began working at the lab in 1959 as a high school junior and continued to work there until about 1970. After a brief break, he returned to the lab from 1971 to 1989. He rejoined NOAA as the Aquaculture Coordinator from 1997 to 2001. He has spent his entire career, both in the public and private sectors, working on aquaculture and shellfish. 

Gary Wikfors was born in Weehawken, NJ. After receiving his B.S. in biology at the University of Maine, Wikfors became interested in phycology. He began working at the Milford Laboratory in 1976 while earning his Master's at the University of Bridgeport. He later earned his PhD at the University of Connecticut while continuing to work at the lab. He is now the Branch Chief of the Aquaculture Sustainability Assessment Branch at the Milford Lab.

Edward DeMartini was born in San Francisco, California in 1946.His father died when he was four years old, and he was introduced to fishing when he was six by his cousin who acted as a surrogate father at the time. Ed says he was a natural historian at a young age and credits his mother with giving him the latitude to be an avid explorer and sparking his early interest in fish. Ed graduated with a degree in biology from the University of San Francisco in 1968, and a Master’s in Biological Oceanography in 1970.

Gina Ylitalo is an environmental chemist at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, Washington. She was born in Yakima, Washington in 1957, and has been interested in a career in science since junior high.She attended Yakima Valley Community College for two years before transferring to Western Washington University and receiving a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. She earned her Master of Science in Chemistry from Western Washington University and was hired by National Marine Fisheries Service in 1989.

Dr. Edward Klima was born on July 30, 1934, in Catskill, New York. He began working for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries in 1962 as a shrimp biologist. He spent time in the Panama City Lab working on gear research before moving to the Pascagoula Lab. He spent 4 years in Washington D.C. where he worked on the drafting the legislation for the 200 mile limit which became the Magnuson Stevens Act. He returned to the Galveston Lab as the Lab Director in 1977 until his retirement in 1992.

Gary Hatch, a lifelong resident of Owls Head, Maine, comes from a lineage of fishermen. His formative years were spent learning the intricacies of lobster and flounder fishing, a tradition within his family. Hatch's career in fishing expanded when he was introduced to seining by an older fisherman, a method that deepened his connection to the sea. His affinity for the coastal environment was not only a source of livelihood but also a passion that led him to explore the shorelines and waters of Maine.

Mike Mitchell, a fisherman based in San Francisco, embarked on his maritime career at a young age. With a passion for the sea, he acquired his own vessel to pursue a livelihood in the fishing industry. His catch spanned a diverse array of marine life, including salmon, herring, crabs, and halibut. Mitchell's involvement in the Alternative Gear Program showcased his commitment to sustainable fishing practices by reducing bycatch.

Wanda Guy, born Wanda Smith Lilliston, a native of Deep Creek, Virginia, is the daughter of a waterman (George F. Smith) and was formerly married to Gus Lilliston, also a waterman. Her life story is deeply intertwined with the watermen culture of Eastern Shore, Virginia, a lineage that traces back to her father's dedication to the seafood industry. She grew up in the Deep Creek area on the Eastern Shore of Virginia (near OnancockHer upbringing was marked by the rhythms of her father's work on the water, which left an indelible impression on her life and values.

Roy Ballard is a long-term inhabitant of the Eastern Shore with deep familial ties to the local seafood industry. His lineage is closely associated with the Ballard Fish and Oyster Company, a business that has been a significant part of his family's heritage. Ballard's personal history is interwoven with the maritime culture of the region, and he has spent a portion of his career working as a carpenter.

Tom Genochio is a seasoned fisherman with a career spanning over five decades. Born into a family with a fishing heritage, Genochio followed in his father's footsteps, embarking on a journey through the diverse sectors of the fishing industry. His early years were marked by salmon and albacore fishing, which later transitioned to crab and groundfish. Eventually, he settled into halibut trawling, finding a consistent rhythm in this particular fishery.

Nicola Ingargiola, born into a lineage of fishermen, embarked on his maritime journey at the tender age of twelve in Sicily. His pursuit of the fishing vocation led him to relocate to San Francisco in 1972, where he continued to engage in the trade. Over the years, Ingargiola ascended to the role of owner and captain of the fishing vessel Anna Marie, specializing in the capture of California Halibut. His tenure in the industry has allowed him to witness a myriad of transformations, including the escalation of competition and the imposition of stringent regulations.

Victor Pruitt is a seasoned professional in the seafood industry with a rich family history in the trade. Mr. Pruitt and his family were from Onancock, Virginia, and owned and operated buyboats on the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River throughout the 1960's and 70's. They bought and sold seafood using these boats, primarily in Washington, D.C. Among the buyboats they owned and operated were the Lester, Thelma Earl, and the Ruth and Annie.

Freddy Manny has built a career that spans two distinct yet interrelated professions: sign painting and shrimping. His journey through the shrimping industry has equipped him with a wealth of knowledge about fishing techniques and the evolution of regulations within the field. Freddy has witnessed firsthand the effects of external factors such as Navy testing on the fishing environment and the resultant variations in shrimp sizes.

Narrator Jack Hill, of Key Largo, Florida, was the owner of a fish house and a former commercial fisherman at the time of the interview. Hill's formative years were spent mastering the craft of fishing, a skill passed down through generations. As he matured, he expanded his expertise beyond the immediate scope of fishing to encompass a broader understanding of market dynamics and trade.

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.

Michael Albano was born in Long Beach, California, on November 24, 1947, in Saint Mary’s Hospital. Mike’s grandfather and father were fishermen.  His father immigrated to the United States from Ischia, Italy, between the years 1939 and 1941. His father decided to come to America because of fishing opportunities near Catalina Island.

William M. Akutagawa, Jr. was born February 18, 1948 on Moloka'i. His late father, William M. Akutagawa, Sr., was the son of Japanese immigrants. His mother, Katharine Hagemann Akutagawa, is the daughter of a German immigrant father and Hawaiian mother.  William grew up in KamalO and visited his grandparents in 'Ualapu'e often, spending much of his youth fishing the waters off of 'Ualapu'e Fishpond. He attended Kilohana School and Moloka'i High School, graduating in 1966.

Chris Aiello, a fisherman, was born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Hoboken and Montclair. He holds a bachelor's degree in science from New York University. Aiello's career began with menial jobs in New York City, but he was drawn to outdoor activities. He moved to the West Coast in 1977, initially to grow pot, before transitioning to fishing. Aiello's work ethic and education have equipped him with the skills to understand management schemes and business practices in the fishing industry.

Chris Aiello is a commercial fisherman with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Originally from the East Coast, he transitioned to the West Coast after being drawn to the outdoor lifestyle. Despite initial plans for a different career, Aiello found his passion in commercial fishing and has been involved in the industry ever since. His wife is also a commercial fisherman, and together, they have navigated the challenges and changes within the fishery.

Hugh Akagi is the chief of the Passamaquoddy on the Canadian side of the border. He lives in Canada and is deeply connected to his family and relatives on the reserve. Akagi is committed to preserving cultural heritage and advocating for the rights of Indigenous fishers. He has a background in fisheries research and has participated in Species at Risk talks and aboriginal advisory committees, demonstrating his dedication to protecting the natural environment and its species.

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.

Loretta Doucette is a resident of Falmouth, Massachusetts, who has a deep connection to the fishing industry in Woods Hole. Her father was a fisherman who fished for Sam Cahoon, whose market was located in Woods Hole. Loretta's father was born in Nova Scotia in the 1880s and ran away from home at a young age and made his way to Yarmouth. In his early 20s, Loretta's father came to Boston and worked in masonry for a brief period. He even worked on a bridge over the Charles River. Eventually, he decided to settle in Cape Cod and chose Edgartown as his fishing base around 1910.

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.

Mr. Combs comes from a long line of baymen. He speaks about being a captain, shipbuilding, and other experiences in the fishing industry.

• Eldon was born and raised in California. He served in the U.S. Army overseas.
• He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from San Jose State University in the mid-1960s.
• Eldon was initially employed by the U.S.

Mr. Albert (Benjie) Spencer retired in 2024 as the Chief Engineer, and Director of Engineering Standards Division, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service within the Office of Planning and Programming for Service Delivery. Mr. Spencer is responsible for implementing policy, providing end-to-end system engineering oversight, assessing risks, and ensuring consistent engineering processes and standards are applied throughout the organization. 

Max Mayfield was born on September 19, 1948, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended the University of Oklahoma, earning a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology. He began his career with the National Weather Service in 1972 and held various positions within the organization before becoming the director of the National Hurricane Center in 2000. Mayfield pursued further education at Florida State University, obtaining a Master of Science degree in Meteorology. During his tenure, he provided expertise and guidance during numerous significant hurricanes, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Tom Kuhner is a fisherman from Long Island with a lifelong engagement in the local fishing industry. His early years were marked by a deep connection to the traditional practices of fishing and clamming, which he began as a child. Kuhner's initial foray into the industry started with a bait business, which eventually expanded into eeling and crabbing. Over the years, he transitioned to working on larger boats, facing the challenges of crew recruitment and adapting to the evolving landscape of the fishing industry.

Don Bevelander, a seasoned bayman from Long Island, has a long history of working in the Great South Bay. He began his career at a young age, around twelve, learning the trade of clamming alongside his father and brother. By the time he was fifteen, he had become a tonger, working long hours on the boat with his father. They would embark from Bay Shore early in the morning and often work until 8:00 PM, spending their entire week on the boat. Don would take on the role of the cook during these trips.

Tim Potter is the personnel director of the town of Grundy in Grundy, Virginia. He is involved in addressing the town's opportunities and challenges, particularly focusing on the flood project with the Corps of Engineers. 

Narrator Jimmy Albright of Islamorada, FL was a retired fishing guide at the time of the interview. He is the originator of the Albright Knot, a strong line-to-line connection used for attaching lines of different diameters. His career spans several decades, during which he has developed a deep understanding of the local marine environment and its inhabitants. Albright's work has placed him at the forefront of observing the ecological changes within this unique ecosystem.

George Robert Bailey was born in November 16, 1925, in Mount Victoria, Maryland.  George spent his formative years in Charles County, Maryland. Having received his education in the public schools of Charles County, George embarked on a career as a waterman. His expertise extended beyond the sea as he showcased his culinary mastery by serving as a chef for several establishments in the region, including White House, Robertson's, and Fin & Claw. In his later years, George transitioned to a role at Camp St. Charles in Rock Point, Maryland.

Interview with Rodney Lyons on August 22, 2008.

Principal investigator: Gregory A. Waselkov
Associate investigators: Michael Stieber and Harriet L. Richardson
Seacat Completion date: September 2008
Name of Collection: Preserving Oral Histories of Waterfront-Related Pursuits in Bayou La Batre
Location where collection is housed: Center for Archaeological Studies University of South Alabama HUMB 34 307 N. University Blvd. Mobile, AL 36688
Other location collection is housed: University of South Alabama Archives USA Springhill Room 0722 Mobile, AL 36688

B.G. Thompson, whose family has been in the seafood industry another for generations, in one way or another, was interviewed on August 22, 2008. Mr. Thompson spoke of his family's involvement in the seafood industry, which included oystering and shrimping. Mr. Thompson related that his father used to own an oyster canning plant in Coden, Alabama and brought an empty can he has kept over the years to show us. Mr. Thompson, who worked for the National Marine Fisheries Service for 27 years, also spoke in great detail about regulations that have affected the fishing industry in the area.

Milton Zirlott, of Coden, Alabama, was interviewed on August 7, 2008 along with his wife, Midge. Mr. Zirlott's family has also been in the seafood industry for generations, specifically in oystering, net making, boat building, shrimping, and retailing aspects. Mr. Zirlott, now retired, shrimped most of his life and at one point owned several shrimp boats. This profession took Mr. Zirlott to many destinations besides the Gulf Waters, including South America and Africa.

Dillard Wilkerson was interviewed on August 22, 2008. This interview was very productive because it took place on the site of Mr. Sprinkle's net shop and footage of a shrimp net being constructed was filmed. Both men used to shrimp and own their own boats. However, both are retired from the shrimping industry because of high costs of maintaining a boat. The two spoke about the shrimping industry in the past and present, in addition to discussing the techniques and materials used in shrimp net making.

Brett S. Dungan's interview took place on August 5, 2008 on location at Master Marine. Mr. Dungan, president and general manager of Master Marine, discussed the changes in commercial boat building over time and more specifically the changes that Master Marine has witnessed over time. It was relayed that Master Marine has gone through several stages which included building wooden shrimp boats, then steel shrimp boats. Master Marine has also built numerous boats for foreign countries which included several West African countries.

Ken Corbett tells stories of his time as a warden in an interview conducted by Ronald M. Bruch and Kathleen Schmitt Kline. He talks about dragging for set lines, how they caught poachers, crooked politicians, close calls, flying his plane, other wardens, undercover workers, and other experiences from his time spent as a warden.

Minh Van Le, of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, was interviewed on September 10, 2008. Mr. Le is branch manager of Boat People SOS in Bayou La Batre. In addition, Mr. Le owns two shrimp boats. In the 1970's Bayou La Batre experienced and influx of refugees from Asian countries. Boat People SOS helps refugees get integrated into communities around the country. Mr. Le also discussed current conditions in the seafood industry and the role Asians have played in the seafood industry and Bayou La Batre in general. Lastly, Mr.

Oral history interview with John Olguin. 

Oral history interview with Torrance Parker. 

Frances Cahoon Shepherd grew up in a neighborhood surrounded by close-knit families in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. She is a knowledgeable source on the history of the Woods Hole fishing industry. Mrs. Shepherd was married to fisherman Kenneth Shepherd and is the daughter of Samuel T. Cahoon, owner of the fish market in Woods Hole from 1913-1914 until 1962.

Buck's first experiences with commercial fishing began in 1942 with a trip on Kenneth Shepherd's boat BETSY C. They landed fish at Sam Cahoon's fish market. He mentions a violent winter storm on the 42 foot boat. After that he worked for Henry Klimm on one of the first of the series of boats named CAPTAIN BILL. He recalls crew members, fishing grounds and catches. There were some spectacular catches of herring, haddock, yellowtail flounder. All fish were landed at Sam Cahoon's, and the fish were then taken to the Fulton Fish Market in New York as well as Boston. He mentions prices.

Oral history interview with Gloria Radmilovich.

Oral history interview with Candelario Gonzales.

Part 1: Born in 1908, Mr. Smith tells us that he is a fifth generation Simeon. He is 69 and lives in Eastham. His grandfather built the Orleans post office and owned several houses in the area. Mr. Smith was born at Whalewalk Farm, a local landmark in Orleans. He remembers his grandmother's story of his grandfather told to deposit an unwanted family of cats on Simpson's Island where he had corn fields. At the end of the day he found they had left the  island and gone back to the mainland.

Part ONe: 11-9-84 - interview with Francine Snyder

Part Two: 3-16-85 - Francine Snyder tour of the Roanoke area, Stonewall Jackson Dam, with M. Kline, Doug Yarrow (photographer) and Hugh Rogers

Interview with John Reed, Stonewall Jackson Dam, US Army Corps of Engineers, Head of Publicity, Pittsburgh District

Interview with Barbara and Bobby Heavner

Interview with Aubrey West

Matthew Snyder, Francine Snyder, and Ron Simmons 2-6-85 interviewed by M. KlinE

Interview with Jerry Schill, past president of the North Carolina Watermens Association

Interview with Dolphus Thompson, a netmaker and fisherman

Interview with B.J. Copeland, NC Sea Grant Director, 1973-1996 and Professor of Zoology at NC State University

Interview with Faye and Leroy Dixon, crabpot builders

Interview with John Norris, veteran shrimper and minister

Interview with John Edens, a lifelong fisherman