In this interview, Miguel Sanchez explores his experience in the fishing industry, beginning with his journey of jumping ship from a Cuban fishing boat into a Canadian boat while he was a young law student to escape political dictatorship. He then speaks about living in Nova Scotia for years without his family before immigrating to America to work in the netting and rigging department of Reidar’s Trawl-Scallop Gear and Marine Supply in New Bedford, MA.

Dan Earle was interviewed by Anjuli Grantham on August 1, 2015, at Bird Rock, Uyak Bay, Kodiak, Alaska, as part of the Kodiak Historical Society’s West Side Stories project. Dan Earle was born in 1946 in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Alaska in 1969. ​He reflects on the allure of living in an unspoiled nature in the wake of the back-to-land movement of the time, and details his early work experiences, including being a winter watchman, and working in the local canneries, New England Fish Company, and Wakefields.

Cape Verdean men have struggled for generations to work in professions, guaranteeing enough income to provide for their families.  They have gained a foothold on New Bedford’s docks unloading and loading foreign ships, particularly because workers on those ships often don’t have passports or papers that allow them to debark from the ship within the United States. Thus, longshoremen up and down the United States seaboard provide those services. Those longshoremen have come to be known to be part of the International Longshoremen’s Union abbreviated as the ILA.

In this interview, DEAM speaks of his evolving relationship with the fishing industry, from growing up with various family members involved in fish processing and delivery (including his father), to working as a truck driver for the fishing industry to finance his college education, eventually leading to his current job as a product manager at a food packaging company.

In this interview, LaVerne Gomes begins by speaking about growing up in Wareham, Massachusetts, before moving to New Bedford, where she was raised by a single mother in a large Cape Verdean family. After dropping out of school at the age of 16, she pursued work in the Frionor Kitchen in New Bedford, where she worked in the cold fish house for 27 years, preparing frozen fish as it came off the conveyor belt.

Giao Van Dang was a scalloper who left his homeland of Vietnam as a part of the boat exodus after the Vietnam War. Like the other refugees in the boat, Giao fled the country with the hopes of finding better opportunities. Through hard work and determination, Giao was able to carve out a life for himself in America, returning to the ocean that he loved. Giao is currently happily retired and still stays connected to the ocean.

On February 27, 2019, Dr. Tanveer Islam interviewed Kate Mason for the Jacksonville State University Oral History Project on the 2018 Jacksonville tornado. Mason begins by describing her emotional and psychological experiences following the tornado, including panic attacks and vivid nightmares. She was at home when the tornado struck, with her mother alerting her to the incoming storm moments before it hit. Mason recounts the difficulty of managing her pets during the tornado and the physical destruction of her apartment, which was heavily damaged.

On August 20, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Bryon Allgood for the Jacksonville Tornado Oral History Project at Jacksonville State University. Allgood recounts his experiences during and after the tornado that struck Jacksonville, Alabama, on March 19, 2018. At the time, Allgood was living in an apartment in Gamecock Village, where he sheltered with friends who sought refuge in his first-floor unit due to the threat of the tornado. As the storm intensified, they took shelter in his bathroom, hearing debris hit the building, though his apartment itself suffered minimal damage.

On March 5, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Laura Duckworth for an oral history project at Jacksonville State University, focusing on the March 19, 2018, Jacksonville tornado. Duckworth, a resident of Jacksonville, Alabama, shares her personal experience of the tornado’s impact on her home and family. She describes the day leading up to the event, noting how, despite clear weather, she and her husband prepared a closet for possible shelter. When the tornado warning came, her family, including her husband, children, and father-in-law, took refuge in a small hallway closet.

On February 21, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Joni Ginn for the Tornado Oral History. The interview was conducted at the Houston Cole Library as part of a project documenting personal experiences of the tornado and the recovery process. Joni Ginn begins by describing the significant damage the tornado caused to her home, which included a large oak tree crashing through the roof while she and her husband were sheltering in the basement. This incident occurred while the couple was already navigating her husband's recent cancer diagnosis and upcoming surgery.

On March 14, 2019, Tanveer Islam from Jackson State University interviewed Bernice George for the Jacksonville Tornado Oral History Project. Berniece George recounts her experiences during the Jacksonville tornado, which struck on March 19, 2018, as well as her recovery process. George has lived in Jacksonville for over a decade and had never experienced a tornado directly impacting the city before this event. She describes the extensive damage her home sustained, including five trees falling on her property, with one tree crashing through her living room.

On April 5, 2011, Mason Gilbey interviewed Jack Dooley in Nantucket, Massachusetts, for the Voices of the Fisheries project. Dooley, a retired fisherman and scalloper, was born and raised in Nantucket and spent much of his life working in commercial fishing and yacht delivery. He has extensive experience fishing in Nantucket Harbor and beyond, including work as a charter boat captain and long-distance yacht transporter.

On February 28, 2019, Tanveer Islam interviewed Hannah Yarborough for the Jacksonville State University Oral History Project, focusing on the Jacksonville tornado that occurred on March 19, 2018. Hannah, a resident of Gamecock Village at the time, shares her firsthand experience of the tornado's impact on her life, her immediate response to the disaster, and the process of recovery. Hannah’s apartment complex was directly hit, with the entire top floor destroyed.

On July 16, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Brianna Cooper for an oral history project at Jacksonville State University focused on the tornado that struck Jacksonville, Alabama, on March 19, 2018. The interview took place at the Houston Cole Library. Cooper shares her personal experiences of the day, beginning with her decision to stay in Jacksonville rather than attend a concert in Atlanta due to severe weather warnings. She describes the moments leading up to the tornado, including her cautious decision to take shelter at her boyfriend’s apartment near the police station.

On March 20, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Joseph Bright for the Jacksonville Tornado Oral History Project at the Houston Cole Library. Joseph Bright, a student at Jacksonville State University, shares his experiences of surviving the tornado that struck Jacksonville, Alabama, on March 19, 2018. Bright describes his life before the storm, including his plans for the evening, unaware of the impending disaster.

On February 25, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Suiko Roper for the Jacksonville Tornado Oral History Project. Roper shares her experiences of losing her home and possessions due to the tornado that hit Jacksonville, Alabama, on March 19, 2018. At the time of the tornado, Roper was at home with her family, and they sought shelter in their basement. She vividly recalls the sound of the sirens, the panic of her daughter on the phone, and the terror as the tornado hit her home, causing extensive damage. In the interview, Roper reflects on the physical and emotional toll of the disaster.

On August 3, 2007, an unidentified interviewer conducted an oral history interview with Daniel Wollersheim in Neenah, Wisconsin, for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin’s Love Affair with an Ancient Fish project. Wollersheim, born in 1931 in Combined Locks, Wisconsin, spent most of his life in Neenah and worked as a maintenance mechanic for Kimberly-Clark. A lifelong fisherman, he developed a deep interest in sturgeon spearing during high school, influenced by his biology teacher and local fishing traditions.

• Allyn B. Powell: Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and raised in Jersey City, NJ, and vicinity.
• Graduated from Middlesex County (NJ) Vocational and Technical School in 1954 with certification in Machine Drawing.
• Employed by Bethlehem Steel Co. until 1957 when he volunteered for the draft; a majority of his service time in the U.S.

On February 27, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Jennifer Jones for an oral history project documenting the impact of the Jacksonville tornado that occurred on March 19, 2018. Jones, a resident of Jacksonville and a staff member at Jacksonville State University, shares her experience leading up to, during, and after the tornado. Jennifer begins by recalling her preparations for the storm, having bought bottled water and snacks, and organizing her apartment for safety in case of severe weather.

On February 26, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Jay Hagan for an oral history project at Jacksonville State University, documenting the aftermath of the Jacksonville tornado on March 19, 2018. The interview took place at the Houston Cole Library, where Hagan shared his personal experiences of surviving the tornado and his subsequent recovery. Hagan begins by recounting the night of the tornado, which initially seemed like a routine thunderstorm. He describes how the storm escalated rapidly, catching him off guard while he was alone in his apartment.

On July 16, 2019, Erin Rider from Jacksonville State University interviewed Harrison McDaniel for an oral history project documenting experiences of the Jacksonville, Alabama, tornado that occurred on March 19, 2018. McDaniel, a lifelong Alabama resident, was working at a Lowe’s store in Oxford when the tornado hit. His roommate repeatedly called to inform him about the tornado and his missing cat. McDaniel immediately left work and drove through the storm’s aftermath to his apartment, encountering widespread power outages, fallen trees, and blocked roads.

On June 4, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Clint and Geraldine Player for the Jacksonville Tornado Oral History Project at the Houston Pool Library. Clint and Geraldine Player shared their experiences surrounding the Jacksonville tornado, which occurred on March 19, 2018, and the aftermath of the disaster. Geraldine Player provides biographical information, discussing her life before the tornado and her family’s ties to the community. She and her husband, Clint, describe the events leading up to the tornado, recalling how they monitored the weather and took shelter in their basement.

On February 26, 2019, Tanveer Islam interviewed Pam Smith for an oral history project about the Jacksonville tornado that occurred on March 19, 2018. The interview took place at the Houston Cole Library, Jacksonville State University. Pam Smith, who lived across from Logan Hall on the Jacksonville State University campus, experienced the tornado firsthand as it hit her home. During the interview, Smith recounts her experience of being in the path of the tornado and describes how she prepared for it.

On March 4, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Princess Rogers for an oral history project at Jacksonville State University documenting the Jacksonville tornado of March 19, 2018. The interview took place at the Houston Coal Library. Princess Rogers, a student at Jacksonville State University, was significantly impacted by the tornado. She begins by describing the emotional toll the event had on her, especially her heightened anxiety about bad weather. Rogers shares that she lost all of her possessions, accumulated over five years, in her apartment during the tornado.

On February 28, 2019, Erin Rider from Jacksonville State University interviewed Mike Galloway for an oral history project documenting experiences related to the Jacksonville tornado of March 19, 2018. The interview took place at the Houston Cole Library and focused on Galloway's personal and family experiences before, during, and after the tornado. Mike Galloway describes the impact of the tornado on his home and family, emphasizing the traumatic nature of the event.

On March 16, 2019, Tanveer Islam interviewed Shannon Siskey for an oral history project about the Jacksonville tornado that occurred on March 19, 2018. The interview took place at Houston Cole Library, Jacksonville State University. Shannon Siskey shares her experiences as the property manager of a student apartment complex during the tornado. At the time of the tornado, she was at her home in Saks, but her immediate concern was for the residents of the apartment complex in Jacksonville, where she managed a property that housed approximately 500 residents, mostly students.

On March 13, 2019, Jane Kushma interviewed Sherri Cunningham for the Jacksonville Tornado Oral History Project. Sherri Cunningham provides an account of the devastating Jacksonville tornado that struck on March 19, 2018, and its aftermath. During the tornado, Sherri, her husband Ben, and their dog took shelter in their home’s bathroom, which was the most central and windowless room. She describes the overwhelming sensation of the tornado, including the roaring sound, the sudden change in pressure, and the feeling of the air being sucked out of their house.

On July 26, 2019, Jane Kushma interviewed Andrea Porter for an oral history project about the Jacksonville tornado of March 19, 2018. The interview took place at the Houston Cole Library on the campus of Jacksonville State University. Andrea Porter, originally from Florence, Alabama, shares her personal experiences during the tornado and the year-long recovery that followed. Porter begins by recounting the night of the tornado, when she was at home when the storm hit, causing significant damage to her house while she took shelter in a closet.

On July 16, 2019, Erin Rider interviewed Katelyn Schneider for a Jacksonville State University oral history project documenting experiences of the March 19, 2018, tornado in Jacksonville, Alabama. Schneider begins by recounting the events of the day, detailing how her car broke down after a long workday and the challenges she faced before the tornado hit. She describes picking up her friend from work at Subway and making the decision to return to her apartment complex, the Reserve, to rescue her dog despite warnings to take shelter at the university police department.

Rob Bland is a seasoned Northeast Fisheries Observer with over 19 years of experience in the field. Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Rob developed a love for the outdoors and aquatic environments from a young age, thanks to his family's recreational fishing trips and camping adventures. His interest in marine life was further piqued by a documentary he watched in sixth grade about humpback whale discovery, which led him to pursue a career in marine research. Rob attended a school in Mathias, Maine, which marked the beginning of his journey on the East Coast.

Dr. Percival “Perce” Powles, is a professor emeritus at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. He received his Ph. D. in biology from McGill University in Montreal. Perce retired from Trent University in 1995. Perce’s interest in ichthyology focused on the early life history of freshwater and marine fishes. In 1985, he became acquainted with Stan Warlen of the Beaufort Laboratory and the Lab’s work with daily growth rings deposited on the otoliths, or earstones, of marine fishes.

Ms. Christine Reintjes was born and raised in Carteret County, North Carolina. She is the daughter of the late John Reintjes, a fisheries biologist at NOAA’s Beaufort Laboratory from 1956 to about 1980. Mr. David June spent his formative childhood years in Carteret County, NC. David’s late father was Fred C. June, a fisheries biologist at NOAA’s Beaufort Laboratory from 1955 to about 1966. Christine and David’s fathers established the Menhaden Program at the Beaufort Laboratory in the mid-1950s.

On September 18, 2024, Eve Austin interviewed Dr. Dwayne Meadows remotely via Zoom for the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami oral history project. Born in 1966 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Meadows developed an early passion for marine biology through competitive swimming and scuba diving. He pursued a degree in biology at the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a PhD at Oregon State University, where he studied coral reef fish in Panama.

On September 23, 2024, Eve Austin interviewed Dr. Vasily Titov for a tsunami-focused NOAA oral history project. Dr. Titov, a research scientist at NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle, Washington, has dedicated nearly three decades to tsunami science. Born in Russia, he pursued an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Novosibirsk, later specializing in numerical modeling for tsunami propagation.