Interview with fisherman John A. McKinnon of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with Captain H.M. Seelyr of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman John E. Gorman of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman John F. Critchett of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham and Hugh M. Smith. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman Levi N. McLean of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman Joseph Graham of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman Nelson Cantillo of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery. 

Interview with Captains Sol Jacobs, John Chisholm and Joseph Smith of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun. Interview contains information on New England 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.

Interview with fisherman Russell D. Terry of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman Solomon A. Rowe of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman Thomas C. Parish of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Christine Sherman, 60, lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts and is married to a commercial fisherman that is a member of Sector 2. Mrs. Sherman also works for the Northeast Seafood Coalition, an industry advocacy group based in Gloucester and is primarily in charge of fundraising for the group. Mrs. Sherman has felt a huge impact from sectors and feels there is only a few years left for a viable, small boat commercial fishery in Gloucester. She has seen the impacts in her own family and life, having experienced physical and mental issues related to financial stress in an uncertain industry.

Danny Murphy, 39, is a commercial fisherman out of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Mr. Murphy's father started tuna fishing later in his life, eventually owning a trawler which piqued perked his son's interest in fishing as a profession. Mr. Murphy began working on his father's trawler at around 16 years of age and would fish for groundfish and also dredge occasionally for scallops and sea urchins. Currently, Mr. Murphy owns a 36-foot trawler and fishes inshore for groundfish and scallops and is a member of Sector 2 in Gloucester.

Hilary Dombrowski, 64, is a commercial fisherman out of Gloucester, Massachusetts. He began fishing around age 10, progressively buying and operating larger boats. He now jigs for cod and tub trawls for haddock, in the inshore. He is a member of the common pool because quota allocations were assigned based on years during which there were a great deal of regulations, thus limiting catch for many in the region. As a small fisherman, there is no real avenue for him to get into a sector, as it is quite expensive.

Russell Sherman, 64, lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts and has been fishing for over 40 years and came to Cape Ann during his summer breaks from Harvard University where he was studying History. He got his first boat in 1980 and maintains that active participation in fisheries management is very important. He has attended meetings at the state and federal Council level for years until recently when his stress and frustration with the management process overpowered his decision to attend meetings.

Angela Sanfilippo, 62, lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts and serves as the President of Gloucester's Fishermen's Wives. Her husband was a commercial fisherman who lost his boat due to a fire and now works for on a charter boat because they knew it'd be too risky to re-invest in fishing; she does have a brother and other family members that are involved in sectors. Mrs. Sanfilippo works very hard to assist with commercial fisheries, whether through helping fishermen gain health insurance or by working in the permit bank.

Sarah Garcia is the Community Development Director and Harbor Planning Director for the City of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Sarah Garcia was interviewed to document the experience of Gloucester, Massachusetts in completing an economic assessment to better understand the economic contribution of waterfront activities. Ms. Garcia discusses the history of Gloucester, the long standing polarization around waterfront issues, and the harbor planning effort which included the economic assessment.

On August 28, 2019, Molly Graham interviewed Anthony Gross for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport project. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 30, 1952, Gross moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts, at the age of three when his father accepted a position as general manager at Empire Fish Company. Gross's father, a butcher by trade, played a significant role in the Gloucester fishing community, serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Dory Committee.

On August 2, 2019, Molly Graham interviewed Albert Cottone for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport project. Al Cottone, born on December 12, 1965, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, to a Sicilian immigrant family, is a lifelong fisherman deeply connected to Gloucester's fishing traditions. His father, Frank Cottone, migrated from post-World War II Sicily to Australia and eventually to the United States, where he continued his fishing career.

On January 29, 2020, Molly Graham interviewed Philip Powell for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport project.  Philip Powell was born on June 11, 1965, in Woburn, Massachusetts. His family moved to Swampscott, Massachusetts, where he currently resides. Powell's father, born in Somerville, Massachusetts, in 1935, immigrated from Poland. His mother’s family came to the United States from Germany in 1941, settling in Winthrop, Massachusetts. Powell’s early life involved extensive outdoor activities, including family fishing trips and camping.

Molly Graham interviewed Sebastian Parisi on August 31, 2019, for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport Oral History Project. Sebastian Parisi was born in 1940 in Gloucester, Massachusetts.  Both sides of Parisi's family emigrated from Italy, and many of his ancestors and relatives worked in the fishing industry.  He graduated from Gloucester High School and worked as a mechanic for cars and diesel boats.   Parisi served as an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force from 1960 to 1964.

On December 16, 2019, Molly Graham interviewed Mark Ring for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport project.  Mark Ring was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, in 1957. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1975. Growing up, Mark's father ran a marina, and he had uncles who were commercial fishermen. He spent his teenage years fishing on a skiff and lobstering with his uncles. After high school, Mark moved to Gloucester and fished - gillnetting and swordfishing - during the 1970s and 1980s.

On October 16, 2019, Molly Graham interviewed Ann Molloy for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport project. Ann Molloy, a native of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and a member of a longstanding Sicilian-American fishing family provides a rich account of her family’s deep roots in the community. Her grandparents immigrated from Sicily in the early 1900s, transitioning from small-scale Mediterranean fishing to becoming integral parts of Gloucester’s fishing industry.

Molly Graham interviewed Rosalie Parco on October 24, 2019.  Parco was born in 1926 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Both sides of her family immigrated from Sicily and included many fishermen. She graduated from Gloucester High School in 1944 and attended Kathleen Dell Secretarial School in Boston.  Then she met her husband, Anthony Parco, founder of Ocean Crest Seafoods and Neptune's Harvest Fertilizer in Gloucester, a family business that is still in operation today.

On August 23, 2019, Molly Graham interviewed Joseph Orlando for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport project.

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.

Interview with fisherman William M. Hartly of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman William H. Greenleaf of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

On September 30, 2019, Molly Graham interviewed Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport Oral History Project. Sefatia Romeo Theken's grandparents immigrated to Gloucester in the 1940s.  Many of her relatives worked in the fishing industry in Gloucester.  Mayor Romeo Theken was married to a commercial fisherman and worked as a fish packer at Gorton's and later for the Addison Gilbert Hospital.  After her husband died, she began to get more involved in the Gloucester community and advocating for fishers.

Molly Graham interviewed Captain Salvatore ‘Sam’ Novello on August 2, 2019, for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport Oral History Project. Captain Novello was born in 1943 in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where he has lived all his life.

On August 23, 2019, Molly Graham interviewed Vito Giacalone for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport oral history project. Giacalone was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1959.  Vito is a third-generation fisherman in Gloucester and started in the fishing industry as a youth.  In the late 1980s, Giacalone took a break from fishing to work in construction until he came back to commercial fishing in 2000.

On October 9, 2019, Molly Graham interviewed Tom Balf for the Strengthening Community Resilience in America’s Oldest Seaport oral history project. Tom Balf is an environmental professional with diverse experience in regulatory policy, environmental management, and sustainability in the corporate, consulting, and non-profit sectors. His current consulting work, as founder of Oceanvest, LLC, focuses on projects that support sustainable fishing communities, maritime technology applications, and 21st-century working waterfronts. He is the former executive director of Maritime Gloucester.

Interview with fisherman J.N. Gardner of Yarmouth, N.S. by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains information on Nova Scotia mackerel fishery.

Interview with George Churchill of Yarmouth, N.S. by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman Norman J.B. Tooker of A.F. Stoneman & Co., Yarmouth, N.S. by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with Captain G.W. Nass of Lunenburg, N.S. by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with George Dores of Lunenburg, N.S. with William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman Henry Weaver of Lunenburg, N.S. by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains information on N.S. mackerel fishery.

A.B. Coldwell, Director of Customs in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, was a prominent figure in the coastal community during the late 19th century. Born into a maritime culture, Coldwell assumed the role of Director of Customs in Lunenburg, a position of significance in a town deeply tied to the sea. His tenure in this role allowed him to witness and oversee various aspects of the local fishing and shipping industries.

Interview with fisherman W.L. Zwicker, an agent of the Fisheries Intelligence Bureau, Lunenburg, N.S. by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Captain A. B. Crosby was a seasoned fisherman based in Yarmouth Bar, Yarmouth, N.S.. He was known for his extensive knowledge and experience in mackerel fishing, which typically began in mid-April and ended early in July.  Crosby's fishing method involved the use of a net, which was set up in the middle of April and taken down in May. The first catch of Crosby's net varied from year to year, with the first pursing usually taking place in mid-May.

Commander Pamela Chelgren-Koterba, born in 1950 in Annapolis, Maryland, grew up in various places across the United States. She was the third of seven children in the family of Captain John Chelgren, a distinguished U.S. Navy officer, and Ruth Henderson, a talented singer. Growing up, Pam played the piano and flute.  She studied bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated in 1972. During her time at Berkeley, she worked at the Space Sciences Laboratory, contributing to the OGO 5 satellite data verification. In 1972, Pamela joined the NOAA Corps.

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.

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 fisherman James Ellsworth of Portland, Maine by Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains information on the mackerel fishery.

Interview with W.S. Jordan & Co. of Portland, Maine, by Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

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.

On June 18, 2024, Camden Hunt interviewed Eden Divney in Portland, Maine. Eden Divney is the land manager at Bangs Island Mussels and has worked in the aquaculture industry for over three years. Born in 1998 and raised in southern Maine, Divney’s background includes a mix of family ties to recreational fishing and shipbuilding. Although they did not complete a college degree, Divney studied various subjects, including medical assisting and criminal justice, and worked in food service before joining Bangs Island Mussels during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 27, 2024, Camden Hunt and Jessica Bonilla interviewed Libby Davis in Portland, Maine. Libby Davis is the founder and operator of Lady Shuckers, a mobile raw bar and catering business that sources from women-owned aquaculture farms in Maine. Born and raised in Scarborough, Davis holds a degree in biology and served in the Peace Corps in Madagascar before returning to Maine and entering the aquaculture industry through the Maine Oyster Company.

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 Captain George M. McClain of Rockport, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman John J. Pentacost of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman John F. Vanteir of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Interview with fisherman John C. Mills of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of 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 N. Orchard of Boothbay, Maine, by Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

Richard Langton grew up north of Boston. He studied at Northeastern University and later earned his Master's degree and Ph.D. in marine biology at the University College of North Wales in the United Kingdom. Langton completed a post-doc aquaculture project in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was then hired by the Federal government at Woods Hole. He worked in Maine as the Bureau Director of the lab in Boothbay Harbor and started a non-profit company in Tobago. He returned to work for the NMFS again at Sandy Hook and is editor of Fishery Bulletin.

Sharon Cummings has been an integral part of the fishing industry for over three decades. Born in New Bedford and now 62 years old, she has dedicated her life to the settlement house and bookkeeping aspects of the fish industry. At Freonor, she was one of the original female employees. Her career path led her through various positions, from trucking for the fishing industry to working for the poverty program and even a real estate office.

Kevin Dawson is a settlement house owner and has a background in the fishing industry. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and his parents emigrated from Newfoundland. His father used to run trawlers out of the Fulton Fish Market in New York but moved to Fairhaven, Massachusetts, when Dawson was ten due to the convenience of the freezer trucks coming from New Bedford. Dawson started working on boats at a young age, painting and performing various tasks.

Kristin Decas served as the Executive Director of the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission (NBHDC). However, please note that there may have been changes in personnel or positions since then. Kristin Decas is an experienced executive in the maritime industry with a background in port management and economic development. She has held leadership positions in several ports across the United States and has been recognized for her contributions to the maritime sector.

Rosemarie Denn is a female co-owner of a fishing supply business, Cape Fisherman's Supply, located in Chatham, Massachusetts. She was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and has a European American ethnic background. Her connection to the fishing industry began with her grandfather, who hailed from a fishing village in Newfoundland. As a child, she spent her summers in Rhode Island, engaging in beach activities and quahoging. She moved to Chatham to be with her husband, who worked at the Chatham Fish Pier.

Louis A. Doucette was born on March 22, 1911, in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard. He grew up in a family of eight children, with his father having a background in sailing ships in the 1800s and later working for a bridge company in East Boston. Louis and his father fished on the south side of Vineyard, transitioning from larger boats with a crew of 20 men in Gloucester to smaller boats with only 3 or 4 men. His mother, originally from Nova Scotia, often spoke about Boston's Old North Church and their family history.

Laurie Botelho, a native of Puerto Rico, is a dedicated and passionate entrepreneur in the fishing industry. With a background in food-borne illness and a deep understanding of the fishing community, Laurie embarked on a journey to provide a vital product for fishermen. Her company specializes in manufacturing high-quality scallop bags, which play a crucial role in preserving the catch and ensuring fishermen adhere to regulations. Starting her business in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Laurie recognized the importance of creating a consistent and reliable product.

Robert Britto, a male boat owner and former fisherman, had a deep connection to the fishing industry, having spent 21 years at sea in various roles, including deckhand, cook, engineer, mate, captain, and owner. He initially got involved in fishing through his father-in-law, who was a fisherman. Britto started his scalloping career on his father-in-law's boat and went on to work on larger vessels before becoming the captain of the fishing vessel Rianda. Later, he purchased the Poseidon with John Isaacson and eventually built and owned the fishing vessel Hustler.

Sarah Broadwell is a female fisherwoman from Montauk, Long Island. She is of European American ethnicity. Broadwell was born in Denville, New Jersey, and spent her childhood visiting her grandparents in Sag Harbor, Long Island. She has been working in Montauk for five to six years and has built a close-knit community with fellow fishermen, who she considers as her family. Despite being small in stature, Broadwell is known for her hard work and dedication to her profession. She has a strong sense of respect and boundaries, and is not afraid to assert herself when necessary.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. Jose Fangueiro was the son of a fisherman. His mother was a fish buyer and salter. He was born 200 feet from the beach in Northern Portugal. At age 14 he went fishing. In 1974 he immigrated to New Bedford, Massachusetts to join relatives.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview, Mr. Fidalgo describes his life prior to coming to the U.S., including his experience as an independent fisherman/boat owner and the social, economic and cultural characteristics of his village. He relates what made him come to the U.S. and his experience in New Bedfford's fishing industry.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview Mr. Lima talks about his life prior to coming to the U.S., including fishing, social and religious traditions, migration, and how he joined the crew of a cod-fishing vessel in order to avoid serving in the Portuguese military. Included in his narrative is a description of what it was like to live under the Salazar dictatorship.

This is one of a set of 15 interviews with Portuguese immigrant fishermen, sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant.. In it Mr. Santos talks about how he came to the United States and got started as a fisherman as well as his experience at sea, social conditions among Portuguese fishermen in New Bedford and the economic and social forces that made him leave fishing.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview, Mr. Vinagre talks about his life in Portugal prior to coming to the U.S., including his experience aboard the Portuguese cod-fishing boats, coming to the U.S. and his father's death at sea.

Vicky Campbell is a former fish cutter and Union representative from New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Spruce Head Island, Maine. She has an extensive history in the fishery industry. Vicky grew up in Rockland, Maine, where fishing was a way of life. Her grandfather was a lobsterman, and fishing had a significant influence on her upbringing. Vicky later moved to New Bedford, following a friend's invitation, and found work in the fish houses. She had various roles in the industry, including packer, processor, skinner, fish cake maker, flash freezer operator, and brine tank operator.

Richard and Raymond Canastra are American brothers who co-founded the Whaling City Seafood Display Auction in New Bedford, Massachusetts. They are known for their involvement in the commercial fishing industry, particularly in the scallop trade. The Canastra brothers were born and raised in New Bedford, a city with a rich history in the fishing industry. In 1994, they established the Whaling City Seafood Display Auction, which quickly became one of the largest seafood auctions on the East Coast of the United States.

Shawn Sipple is a former fisherman and past winner of the scallop-shucking contest. He was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and attended New Bedford High School. Shawn got into fishing because his father, an ex-commercial fisherman, was tragically burned in a boat fire and could no longer fish. Despite the dangers of the profession, Shawn started fishing at the age of 17 after completing high school. He learned the tricks of the trade from Peter Kilshaw, the owner of Northern Edge, who mentored him. Shawn's father also owned the National Social Club in New Bedford.

The interview conducted on September 25, 2005, features two individuals: Mike Yortson and Mary Yortson Sylvia. Mike Yortson is the son of Mary Yortson Sylvia. Mary was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1911 and had two sons. Mike was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1955 but grew up in New Bedford after his father's death. Mary's family immigrated from St. Michael's in the Azores, and she worked in a doctor's dining room in Providence, where she met her first husband, Manny Cruz. Manny was lost at sea when Mary was 29 years old.

Lou Legace is a 54-year-old male of French heritage who was born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts. He attended Durfee High School and briefly studied Civil Engineering at the University of Massachuestts in Amherst before deciding to pursue a career in fishing. Lou started his fishing career as a deckhand on a small clam boat owned by friends. He developed a passion for clamming and eventually became a captain himself. Currently, Lou owns his own boat and primarily focuses on paperwork and managing the business side of clamming, while occasionally going out to sea.

John Liarkos, a male, was interviewed on September 24th, 2005, at the New Bedford Harbormaster House. At the time of the interview, he was 51 years old and resided in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Liarkos is the owner of Sea Fuels, a marine diesel station. Born in New Bedford, Liarkos grew up in a family of seven children. His father, originally from New York, and mother, from Canada, both moved to New Bedford during their youth. Liarkos's father and uncle owned Stanley Oil Company, which supplied fuel to the fishing industry.

Eva Liput is a fishing vessel captain and a Polish immigrant who moved to the United States in 1986. She grew up in Poland, where her father worked as a fisherman on George's Bank. Eva developed an interest in sailing at a young age, influenced by her older brother who was a sailor. After immigrating to the United States, Eva first settled in Newport, Rhode Island, before eventually moving to New Bedford, Massachusetts. In 1986, she started working as a deckhand on the fishing vessel Michigan, a scalloper.

Myra Lopes is a writer, historian, and daughter of a fisherman. She resides in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Myra Lopes's father was Leo Powers, a captain on several fishing vessels. His fishing career began in the 1940s. Myra's ancestors are from Newfoundland and she has pride in her heritage and fishing occupation. Her father's fishing vessel, Venture I, was lost in a storm during the Cold War era, but he and another crew member were rescued by a Russian trawler.

Richard MacLeod is a retired fisherman who was born in Boston and later moved to Nova Scotia. In 1936, at the age of thirteen, he made his first voyage on a fishing trip on a three-masted sailing schooner called the A.W. Chism. In 1939, he moved to Gloucester and fished there for many years before moving to New Bedford in 1952. He fished out of New Bedford on various boats, including the Adventurer and Smylin. He later became the captain of the Mystic Light and eventually retired in 1983. After retirement, he started knitting lobster pot heads.

Ray Houtman, born on June 6, 1955, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is a longshoreman with a rich family history in the industry. His grandparents, originally from Cape Verde, immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. On his father's side, Houtman's great-grandfather hailed from the West Indies. Growing up in a predominantly Cape Verdean community, Houtman's family has been involved in longshoremen work for several generations. Houtman's father was a longshoreman for over 40 years, and Houtman himself has been working as a longshoreman for about 32 years.

John Isaksen is a retired fisherman, ship repair shop owner, and boat owner. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1936 and moved to Norway with his mother before World War II to care for his sick grandfather. They returned to Brooklyn in 1945 after the war. John's father was a fisherman who operated in Brooklyn during the winter and on George's Bank during the summer. In 1945, John and his family relocated to New Bedford, Massachusetts. He attended vocational high school and embarked on a career in fishing and boat repair.

Tom King is a seasoned fisherman who dedicated his career to the commercial fishing industry. Born into a family with a deep connection to Newfoundland and a long history in fishing, Tom's love for the sea and the fishing trade runs in his blood. In 1968, after working as a fish lumper on the waterfront for eight years, Tom decided to venture into fishing himself. His first fishing experience in February 1969, aboard the fishing vessel Angela W, left a lasting impression on him.

Malvin Kvilhaug, a Norwegian fisherman and boat owner, was born on October 21, 1938, in Karmoy, an island in Norway. He came from a fishing family, with his father and grandfather also engaged in fishing. Kvilhaug started fishing for lobsters on his own at the age of 10 or 11, using rowboats and dories. After enlisting in the Merchant Marines at the age of 16, he later joined the Navy in Norway at 18. In January 1961, at the age of 22, Kvilhaug arrived in the United States and settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Toby Lees is a fisherman from New Bedford, Massachusetts.  He was born in 1951 in Worcester, Massachusetts, but his family has ancestry in New Bedford dating back to the whaling days. He started fishing in 1970 after being placed on a boat as part of his Commercial Fisheries and Marine Technology course at the University of Rhode Island. Lees has been a full-time fisherman since graduating in 1971. He has a young family with two daughters and a wife.

Lynn Selboe is an experienced commercial fisherman with a strong connection to the fishing industry in Alaska. Born and raised in Illinois, Lynn eventually moved to Seattle, where she currently resides. She grew up with a sister who was involved in fishing, working as a translator on a Joint Venture in the Bering Sea. Inspired by her sister's experiences, Lynn decided to give fishing a try after graduating from college in 1991. Joining the O'Hara Corporation, based in Rockland, Maine, Lynn began her fishing career on a 124-foot factory trawler called the Enterprise.

Jennifer Mitchell, also known as Jennifer Demalo, is part of the Mitchell family business. She grew up in New Bedford and attended Bishop Stang High School before graduating from Emmanuel College. Initially working as a business manager at a preschool in Boston, Jennifer joined the family business after her father asked her to work with him. She has been involved in bookkeeping and similar administrative tasks. Jennifer has been with the business for around eight years and is married with two children.

Kaare Ness, a Norwegian immigrant, was born in Norway and moved to the United States in 1955. He initially settled in New Bedford/Fairhaven area and lived there for thirteen years. In 1968, Ness relocated to Alaska and then moved to Seattle in 1969. He owned a seafood processing and distributing company in Seattle, focusing on scallops and later transitioning to the king crab fishery. Ness had a family history in fishing, with his father and uncle having connections to the industry. He built boats for king crab fishing and continued in that line of work until his retirement.

Marty Olsen is a retired fisherman. He was born in New Jersey and later moved to Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Marty joined the Army and started fishing in 1961, primarily out of New Bedford and briefly in Boston. Olsen's children did not follow in his footsteps, with his son becoming an electrician and his daughters marrying shore people.

Roland Gailitis was born in Raga, Latvia, in 1936. At the age of three, the Russians occupied Latvia, and Roland and his family lived under their rule for a year. Then, during World War II, the Germans took over Latvia until November 1944. In order to escape the turbulent situation in Latvia, Roland's family embarked on a perilous journey to Sweden in an 18-foot whaling boat with 18 people, including children. They lived in Sweden for 3.5 years until the Russians demanded the return of Latvians to their own country.

The interviewee is a 25-year-old Guatemalan Mayan woman who works in seafood processing in New Bedford. She grew up in a poor but happy family in Las Canales. Her father left for the United States when she was four, and she stayed with her mother and three siblings. Her family was forced to move from their village due to the violence during the war in Guatemala, and her uncles also left for the United States. Her father is now a fisherman in the United States. She communicates with him via telephone and he helps the family financially.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview Antonio Borges talks about his long experience as a fisherman in Portugal and the U.S., including fishing techniques used in cod fishing in the Grand Banks, where he had to help sew a shroud to "bury" a co-worker who died at sea. He also describes social and cultural traditions in his native village as well New Bedford, including extensive views on religion.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview, Mr. Palhais talks about his life in a small fishing village in Portugal, how he came to the U.S. and his experience living and fishing in New Bedford. Included in his history is a very detailed description of fishing techniques in the mouth of the Mondego River in Figueira da Foz as well as salt-making techniques in the same area and in Angola.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview Mr. Testa talks about his life prior to coming to the U.S., including fishing, social and religious traditions. Part of that description, includes his tuna-fishing experience in North Africa, and cod-fishing in the Grand Banks during the World War II. He also describes what brought him to the U.S.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview João Fernandes describes his childhood in Portugal as the son of a fisherman, his training to work in the same profession as his father and how he came to Louisiana to work in the shrimp fisheries with other Portuguese immigrants.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview Mr. Bilhano talks about his life prior to coming to the U.S., including fishing, social and religious traditions. He also relates what brought him to the U.S.

This is one of a set of 15 oral histories with Portuguese immigrant fishermen who worked out of the port of New Bedford. The project was sponsored by a NOAA Preserve America grant. In this interview Manuel Catulo talks about his life in Portugal, including his experience aboard a freighter and living under the Salazar dictatorship. He also describes how he came to the U.S., his experience as a fisherman and boat owner and his hobby making boat models. In addition, he provides information on social and cultural practices among Portuguese fishing families in New Bedford

Andrew Arnett, 26 years old at the time of the interview, is a captain of Jonah crab and scallop boats in New Bedford, MA. He has been fishing since age 16 and running boats since age 22. As one of the youngest captains in the fleet, he sees himself as one of a select few who are keeping fishing heritage alive.

Scope and Content Note

Jim Mercer is a 47 year old diver on the New Bedford/Fairhaven waterfront.  In this interview, he enthusiastically describes his job, how he became a commercial fishing boat diver, and why he enjoys his job and the waterfront community so much.  He speaks about the importance of having a diver’s assessment on the bottom of a commercial fishing boat and the process of doing an assessment.  He describes the dangerous nature of the job and the satisfaction he receives from working in the New Bedford/Fairhaven fishing community.

Jay Hall spent 25 years working in the medical gas industry and now works for New Bedford Welding Supply, which supplies compressed gas to fishing vessels in the New Bedford - Fairhaven shipping industry.  He discusses his professional background, the different types of welding supplies and gas mixtures that New Bedford Welding Supply provides to the fishing industry, the process of filling a tank, the training provided to employees, specialty equipment, and potential dangers in the work environment.