Oral history interview with Patricia Leckner. 

Oral history interview with Geraldine Knatz.

Oral history interview with Janice Kahn. 

Oral history interview with Robert Curry, Sr.

Oral history interview with Tom Phillips.

Oral history interview with George De La Torre.

Oral history interview with Jayme Wilson.

Oral history interview with Rawlin Nelson.

Richard was born in San Pedro in 1946; a third generation Japanese-American (sansei). In this interview, he recounts how his family came to be living in San Pedro from Japan, and the challenges they faced because of "yellow exclusion laws" and other discriminatory practices that prevented his grandparents from becoming U.S. citizens. His grandfather settled initially in a Japanese fishing community near Santa Monica, California where he ran a fish market. However, he was not legally allowed to hold a business license until 1954 when he was allowed to become a U.S. citizen.

Nick was born in Hvar, Croatia, in 1914, and his family moved to Oregon when he was young. He started salmon fishing at a young age in Astoria, and then went with his brothers to fish in Alaska when he was a bit older, and that is where he first became a cook for a fishing crew. He moved to San Pedro, California, at the invitation of a friend and became the cook for many years on a tuna boats owned and operated by Captain Frank Gargas, Sr.

August Felando was born in San Pedro, California, in 1929. His family roots reach back to Viz Island, Croatia, and Guernica in the Basque province of Spain. He fished on two-family owned tuna and sardine purse seine vessels during 1946-1950. In 1951, he became a co-owner of the F/V Challenger, a tuna baitboat, and as managing owner sold the vessel in 1958 for conversion to a tuna seiner. From 1960-1991, he managed the affairs of the American Tunaboat Association, including participation in hearings before the California State legislature, Congressional Committees, and federal agencies.

Captain Frank Gargas, Sr., and his two sons, Frank Jr. and Steve, reflect on their experience as a fishing family. Frank Sr. relays a time when the family was with him on the tuna boat and they encountered rough weather from Hurricane Camille (1969). Steve talks about his mother and what she faced as a wife of a fisherman, having her husband at sea much of the time. Frank Jr. reflects on what drew him to become a fisherman.

Captain Frank Gargas, Sr., and his two sons, Frank Jr. and Steve, reflect on their experience as a fishing family. Frank Sr. relays a time when the family was with him on the tuna boat and they encountered rough weather from Hurricane Camille (1969). Steve talks about his mother and what she faced as a wife of a fisherman, having her husband at sea much of the time. Frank Jr. reflects on what drew him to become a fisherman.

Captain Frank Gargas, Sr., and his two sons, Frank Jr. and Steve, reflect on their experience as a fishing family. Frank Sr. relays a time when the family was with him on the tuna boat and they encountered rough weather from Hurricane Camille (1969). Steve talks about his mother and what she faced as a wife of a fisherman, having her husband at sea much of the time. Frank Jr. reflects on what drew him to become a fisherman.

Mary Misetich was born in 1912 in Washington. Her family later moved to San Pedro, where she lived for 90 years. In 1932, she married Dominick Misetich, a tuna fisherman. Both of their families came from the island of Brac, Yugoslavia.

Oral history interview with Ron Rogers.

Oral history interview with Haruye Sakamoto.

Oral history interview with Lewis Loveridge. 

Oral history interview with Anthony Nizetich.

Oral history interview with Jim Trani, Sr.

Oral history interview with Gretchen Tostrup. 

Oral history interview with Joe Gatlin.

Oral history interview with Matty Domancich.

Oral history interview with John DiBernardo.

Oral history interview with Bill Stein.

John Jurgenson discusses creation of sturgeon spears. Interviewer identity for August 2, 2007 interview is unknown.

Bill Goeser is interviewed about his experiences sturgeon spearing over the years. He tells of his family learning to spear, early decoys and coaxer styles, and cooking sturgeon. Interviewer identity unknown.

Oral  history interview with Tom Warren.

Oral history interview with Steven Cole. 

Oral history interview with Ray Cootes.

Oral history interview with Tony DiBernardo.

Oral history interview with Brian Harrison.

Oral history interview with John Maramoto. 

Oral history interview with Laura Warren.

Oral history interview with Dennis McCarbery.   

Oral history interview with Vito Giacalone. 

Oral history interview with Mary Giacalone.

Oral history interview with Rod Reddick. 

Oral history interview with Angie Papadakis.

Oral history interview with Adam Birkenbach.

Oral history interview with Tony Salcido.

Oral history interview with Ray Falk.

Oral history interview with Charles Hamasaki.

Oral history interview with John Royal.

Oral history interview with Carlos Rico.

Oral history interview with Min Tonai.

Oral history interview with Al Green.

Oral history interview with Frank Herrara.

Oral history interview with Nancy Utovac.

Oral history interview with Yukio Tatsumi.

Oral history interview with George Love, Jr.

Oral history interview with Joe Itson.  

Albert Alcala describes growing up in San Pedro from his birth in 1949 to the 1960s when the city was primarily a small immigrant community, and through the time the Port of Los Angeles was built and displaced many families. He describes his father as one of the original thriving businessmen who immigrated from Granada, Spain, and his connections to other town folklore and notable people.

Oral history interview with Lee Mardesich.

Oral history interview with George Pasha.

Oral history interview with Seymour Waterman. 

Oral history interview with Lanny Nelms.

Oral history interview with John Papadakis.

Oral history interview with Stancil Jones. 

Oral history interview with Jim Pitman.  

Oral history interview with Violet Parkhurst. 

Oral history interview with Pearson Jackson.  

Oral history interview with Melody Hall. 

Oral history interview with Roy Coats. 

Oral history interview with Emilei Noceti. 

Oral history interview with George Griffith.

Oral history interview with Anthony Misetich.

Oral history interview with John Guest. 

Oral history interview with William Gravett,

Oral history interview with Julian Jimenez. 

Oral history interview with Mike Godward. 

Oral history interview with Don Taub.

David Kuhn is interviewed about sturgeon spearing, decoy making, and spear construction. Interviewer identity unknown.

James Nadler discusses lake sturgeon spearing construction with the interviewer. James also discusses his experiences sturgeon spearing and changes in spearing over time. Interviewer identity unknown.

Daniel Wollersheim is interviewed about building ice saws and spears. Daniel tells stories about his days sturgeon spearing and explains the cleaning and cooking process for sturgeon. Interviewer identity unknown.

Joe DiMassa grew up in San Pedro.  His family were early immigrants from Ischia, Italy who settled in the town of San Pedro in 1905.  They started their Fish Market business and were involved in a total of three businesses. 

Vernon Hall was born in San Pedro in 1936. He grew up in San Pedro, attended UCLA to study engineering, and then came back to San Pedro, where he lives today. His grandfather is Swedish, lived in Minnesota until they moved to San Pedro in 1905.  His grandfather and father were machinists who worked on ships in the harbor. 

Joe Marino was born in Rockford, Illinois, in 1927.  In 1941, invited by his childhood friend Mr. LaPenta, Joe’s father decided to move to San Pedro. Joe Marino immediately began working in San Pedro as a newspaper boy, where he sold newspapers on the corner of Sixth and Beacon Street. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy. He worked as a Fisherman for a few years after his military service. Joe decided to go to college and major in education. He became a teacher and retired as a Principal from the City School District in 1987.

Interview with Linda, Charles & Savannah Rhodes

In this interview Walter Orr Roberts discusses the war time (World War II) and working in isolation at the observatory in the mining community of Climax, Colorado. He talks about observing the Sun’s corona, using the chronograph and doing special cosmic ray work with gold. The observatory was eventually incorporated jointly with the University of Colorado. Roberts wanted to get the Climax Company’s permission to name the observatory the Climax Solar Observatory, but timing was not on his side. Jack Evans and Roberts decided on a different name, the High Altitude Observatory (HAO).

Reidar Bendiksen is a Norwegian fisherman who has been in the fishing industry since 1963. After 25 years of fishing, he transitioned into the fishing gear business, where he continues to work up to the present. James M. Dwyer Jr., also known as Jim Dwyer, has been involved in the fishing industry for the last forty-seven years. For the past twenty-two years, he has served as the Secretary, Treasurer, and Business Agent for the Local 1749, ILA, also known as the Lumpers Union.

Edward Barrett is a seasoned commercial fisherman with over three decades of experience in the fishing industry. Born in Boston in 1955, Barrett grew up in the coastal town of Marshfield, Massachusetts, where he was exposed to the ocean and fishing from an early age. His first role models in the industry were his older cousin and his friends, who were involved in mossing. Barrett's career in fishing began after he completed college. He initially worked as a sternman and crewman on boats before attending a fishing school at the University of Rhode Island.

The Rev. Herb Bennerfield presides over the annual Blessing of the Fleet in Delcambre. He describes what the shrimp festival and fishery mean to one small town.

Cecile Robin married into a family of fishermen. She explores some of the wives tales associated with fishing in south Louisiana.

The main topic is the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries in Woods Hole. The first speaker is Peggy Clark Kelley. She speaks of her grandfather Edward Linton who came to Woods Hole with Director Spencer Baird in 1882 when Linton was a student at Yale. She discusses why Woods Hole was chosen for the site of the Fisheries lab, the interaction with local businessmen. Peggy's memories of her childhood include trips on collecting boats (specimens for MBL). Dr. Graham became Director in 1951.

Kenneth Shepherd is a seasoned fisherman with a deep connection to the fishing industry in Woods Hole. Born in 1915, he has witnessed significant changes and challenges throughout his fishing career. Kenneth started fishing in 1934 and became an integral part of the fishing community in Woods Hole. He has fished for various species, including yellowtail flounder, cod, haddock, and butterfish. Kenneth has experienced firsthand the impact of regulations, fuel prices, and changing fish populations on the fishing industry.

John Valois is a former resident of Woods Hole and a close friend of the Cahoon family. Born and raised in the area, he grew up spending significant time in the Cahoon household and developed a lasting relationship with the family. John's father owned the Woods Hole garage, which was located near the fish market operated by Sam Cahoon. John often visited the fish market, occasionally helping with tasks and interacting with the fishermen. He also participated in various activities with young Sam Cahoon, such as swimming, shell fishing, and duck hunting.

Mildred Wells is a former bookkeeper and a significant figure in the fishing industry. Born and raised in New Bedford, she later moved to Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where she began working for Sam Cahoon, a prominent fish merchant. Mildred joined Sam's team in the late 1920s and worked for him until 1931 when she got married. Despite her departure from the fish market, Mildred retained a deep appreciation for the industry and its history.

Captain Russell Grinnell was born in 1907 in Woods Hole. His father, Charles R. Grinnell, was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, then moved with Russell's grandfather to Naushon Island off Woods Hole. Charles Grinnell was a fisherman and he and son Russell fished together, gathering quahogs and lobsters, dragging for flounder, depending on the season. This was first done from a 26 foot catboat and later a 42 foot boat. Russell Grinnell joined the crew of the squid collecting boats (all named CAPTAIN BILL) owned by Henry Klimm and contracted to the Marine Biological Laboratory.

A.M. Smith was a prominent figure in the fish business in Portland, Maine, during the late 19th century. His career in the industry spanned at least fifteen years, during which he gained significant insights into the mackerel fishery and the legislation surrounding it. Smith was not personally engaged in the fisheries but was a dealer, which gave him a unique perspective on the industry's economics and the effects of legislation on the market. Smith was known for his innovative thinking and was the first to propose a five-year close season for mackerel fishing.

Danny Ratfield is a seasoned expert in Florida's coastal areas and fisheries, with nearly 30 years of experience exploring locations like the Florida Keys and the Everglades. He advocates for studying and addressing red tide and water quality issues to restore the natural balance of the ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of sustainable solutions.

Scope and Content Note

This interview with Captain Ahmon Mallock of Portland, ME took place on November 23, 1893. Members of the Joint Fisheries Commission conducted the interview in an effort to gain information on the mackerel fishery.

Interview with Harbor Inspector and Fishery Overseer Joseph O'Brien of St. John, N.B. Interview contains descriptions of New Brunswick fisheries, St. John County, saw mill and tanning industry, factories, industrial pollution and salmon populations.

Interview with fisherman and dealer M.J. Keating of Port Mulgrave, N.S. near the Gut of Canso. Interview conducted by members of the U.S. Fish Commission. Contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

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

Date above approximate. Interview with fisherman William Hudder of Gloucester, MA by members of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Edward "Eddie" Enos Jr. grew up in Falmouth Heights, spending much of his time around the waterfront exploring and fishing. At the age of 12, he had a chance encounter with an experienced fisherman named Joe Joseph, who would become a significant influence in his life. Joe taught Eddie about fishing techniques, shared his knowledge of the local fishing spots, and even gifted him a share of the white perch they caught together. Joe Joseph, an experienced fisherman and entrepreneur, owned the Harvard New Fish Market and had a deep connection to the waterfront community.

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.