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

Vito 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 1980's, Giacalone took a break from fishing to work in construction, until he came back to commercial fishing in 2000.  He serves as the Policy Director for the Northeast Seafood Coalition and President of the Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund.  He and his wife Jenny own the fishing vessel Jenny G. and Fishermen's Wharf Gloucester.  

In this interview, Virginia Martins discusses the challenges of being in the fishing industry, including the changes to the industry, the role of women in the fishing industry, and the role of climate change and technology in the fishing industry. She shares her personal work history and her experiences at Bay Fuels, Inc.

The interviews contained in "Canada" are part of Volume I of the Joint Fisheries Commission's investigation in 1893 of the fisheries in New England and the Canadian maritime provinces. William Wakeham and R. Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission traveled along the coast to speak with fishermen, businessmen and mill owners between Cape Cod and New Brunswick.

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.

Valeriano Garcia is from Guatemala and his job is an essential part of the fishing industry in New Bedford. He shares experiences working at a warehouse and skills that are required.

This oral history was produced in 2017 as part of the Workers on the Waterfront Oral History Project conducted by New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center with funding from an Archie Green Fellowship provided by the Library of Congress.

Tori Pilger is a marine biologist who worked as an observer for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center fishery monitoring Operations Branch. Pilger graduated from college with a degree in marine biology and moved to Texas before joining the observer program through East West Technical Services. Pilger trained in 2018 and spent three years as an observer, primarily on single-day trips on scalloping day boats due to chronic seasickness.

Tor Bendiksen discusses what it’s like to be involved in a family-owned business that manufactures fishing gear such as nets and trawls for commercial fishermen. He made his first fishing trip at the age of thirteen aboard his father’s trawler. He understands from first-hand experience how fishing gear works and the needs of his customers. He discusses how fishing regulations have evolved from when he first stated fishing to what they are today. The regulations have a tremendous impact on how he designs his custom fishing gear.

Tony Vieira is a 46-year-old marine electronics specialist and the owner of T & K Marine Electronics in New Bedford, MA.  He describes his work history in the marine electronics field, his company, and the work he does on a day-to-day basis.  He also speaks about the changes in technology and the industry he has seen over the past twenty-five years. 

Tony Jackett is a former commercial fisherman who transitioned into the role of a shellfish officer. In 2007, Tony Jackett was the Shellfish Constable for the towns of Truro and Provincetown on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. His career has been marked by a dedication to the management and preservation of shellfish resources in the towns of Provincetown and Truro. Jackett's work involves navigating the complexities of regulatory changes and advocating for sustainable practices within the shellfish industry.