Sharon Cummings
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project is an ongoing oral history project documenting the history and culture of the commercial fishing industry and other port trades. The project was begun in 2004 in conjunction with the Working Waterfront Festival, an annual, education celebration of commercial fishing culture which takes place in New Bedford, MA. Interviewees have included a wide range of individuals connected to the commercial fishing industry and/or other aspects of the port through work or familial ties. While the majority of interviewees are from the port of New Bedford, the project has also documented numerous individuals from other ports around the country. Folklorist and Festival Director Laura Orleans and Community Scholar/Associate Director Kirsten Bendiksen are Project Leaders. The original recordings reside at the National Council for the Traditional Arts in Maryland with listening copies housed at the Festival's New Bedford office.
Janice Gadaire Fleuriel
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. Through John Linehan, Sharon became involved with the Seafood Producers Association and played a pivotal role in helping boats navigate the 200-mile limit and interacted with the Coast Guard and National Marine Fisheries Service when their assistance was needed. She also collaborated on various projects, including seafood advertising campaigns and recipe books, featuring culinary legends like Julia Child.
Scope and Content Note
This oral history interview conducted with Sharon Cummings on September 25, 2004, explores her experiences in the fishing industry, settlement house, and fish industry bookkeeping. Sharon Cummings started in the fishing industry about 32 years ago, initially working for Norwegian Frozen Fish. She later transitioned to the Seafood Producers Association and the fish lumpers, where she has been a part-time employee since. The interview covers various aspects of the fishing industry, including regulations, the 200-mile limit, interaction with Coast Guard and National Marine Fisheries, advertising efforts, and notable events involving renowned chefs like Julia Child. Throughout her tenure in the industry, Sharon has developed a deep understanding of the business and its unique aspects, such as tracking pensioners, lumpers, and beneficiaries using traditional, manual methods rather than computers. She discusses her involvement with the 200-mile limit and the challenges faced by the fishing community due to overfishing and foreign factory ships. Additionally, the interview delves into settlement office terms, job divisions in fish houses, the distinct auction process, highliners, dealer problems, and conservation issues. Sharon shares anecdotes and insights into the fishing industry's past and present, highlighting the cultural aspects and organization of the settlement houses and boats according to ethnicity and geography.
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