Part 1: Born in 1907, Mrs. Kelley talks about her ancestors first on her father’s side and then on her mother’s side.

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 Mr. Moço talks about his life in Portugal, including fishing and cultural traditions. He also describes routines aboard Portuguese fishing boats in the U.S. and the role of the union in the strikes of the 1980's as well as the impact of regulations in the livelihoods of those involved in the fishing industry.

Luckas Smith, a 24-year-old male, has grown up around the fishing industry. He grew up in New Bedford, went to New Bedford Vocational School and recently graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He has worked as a wire splicer for his family’s business, Northeast Trawl, since he was about fifteen years old.  He explains the technique of splicing, the various tools, equipment, and the winch truck used for splicing.  Lastly, he discusses his view of the waterfront community and his pride in his role in the seafood industry.

Luther Eldredge is a seasoned shellfisher whose roots in the trade extend deep into the maritime heritage of Cape Cod. Having been introduced to shellfishing at a tender age by his grandfather, Eldredge has not only witnessed but also actively participated in the evolution of the industry throughout his life. In 2007, Luther Eldredge was harvesting commercially from the wild fisheries and growing oysters on an aquaculture grant that was originally his grandfather's.

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.

Born in 1898, Mrs.

It may seem strange to you people, but when I say rarely went to the mainland, we had students in school who were in the graduating class who had never left the island.  That was a big experience for them. 

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.

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