The anonymous narrator is a seasoned fisherman with a rich history in the fishing industry. His journey into the industry began in 1957 when he was just thirteen years old, following his father's transition from logging to fishing. Over the years, he has gained extensive experience in various types of fishing, including troll fishery, bottom fishery, and crabbing. He has also owned several boats, some of which he built himself, and has fished in various locations including Alaska, Oregon, California, and Washington. Currently, he operates two boats for shrimping and one for crabbing.

“Fishing is huge. I think it is a huge driver not only of our economy, but of the culture.  I think also it is under appreciated.”

Bill Hall lives in Newport, Oregon, and is the Lincoln County Commissioner in his fourth term. He was born in Portland, and lived there until he was 26. He did some graduate work in Portland, and then moved to Newport to become a reporter for The News Times, and the news director, covering the local government, for a group of radio stations.

Interview topics include how participant began fishing, social ties, fishing changes over time, crab fishing business and management changes (IFQs), halibut fishing management changes (IFQs), and changes in Kodiak.

Christopher Lutyens began his work in the lobster industry in Southwest Harbor, Maine at age sixteen. He came to Newport one year later after reading an article about Newport's offshore lobster industry in the magazine, National Fisherman. Mr. Lutyens has worked in both the inshore and offshore lobster industries in Newport. He offers valuable information about the work of lobstering, lobster boats and equipment, lobster grounds, catch size, and the condition of the lobster stocks. He expresses concerns about the future of the fishing industry in Newport, R.I.

Interview topics include background and how participant began fishing, social ties, Joint Venture fishing, multi-regional fishing, Kodiak history, and changes in fisheries management.

Interview with Dean Fleck.

“One of the same things that makes fishing a great adventure – the wildness and unpredictability of the ocean – can also be a huge source of discomfort.”

While she was in her early twenties, Ellen Kaplan worked in the fishing industry for approximately two years. This included work on offshore lobster boats, an offshore scallop boat, and an offshore dragger. Her manuscript contains valuable information about life and work at sea, the life style of working in the fishing industry, changes in the offshore lobster industry, and conflict between tourism, development and the fishing industry in Newport, Rhode Island.

Frank Tursi is a Brooklyn, New York native who grew up with a deep appreciation for the coastal environment. His early experiences fishing and exploring the local geography of Brooklyn sparked his interest in coastal issues and the environment. Tursi's family moved to North Carolina due to shifts in the garment industry. He pursued Geology studies at East Carolina University and was involved with The Fountainhead newspaper during his tenure there.

Gene law is a fisherman in Newport, Oregon. He grew up in Half Moon Bay, California, and moved to Newport in 1980. He started fishing in high school with a friend, and bought his first boat, a 30 footer, after he graduated high school. He mainly fishes for Dungeness crab, but has also fished for tuna, salmon, shrimp, box crabs, sardines, and herring. His wife is very involved in his job as well, and they have four children. His son Matthew has his PhD in Chemical Engineering, and his younger son runs their 83-foot boat.