Paul Swain, a 74-year-old male, is a retired government port agent with a rich history in the fishing industry. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Swain is of Newfoundland descent. He began his career as a fisherman and later transitioned into various roles including an auctioneer and a lumper. Swain's home port was New Bedford/Fairhaven, MA. Swain's career in the government began in 1957 as a port sampler, a role that involved taking samples from fish catches for age and growth studies.

Peter Fisher is the entrepreneurial owner of Catamount Fish Market, a business that has been operational for one year. His journey into the fish industry was sparked by his experiences while employed at a restaurant, where he observed the intricate process involved in ordering fish. This insight led him to establish his own market with a vision to facilitate fish distribution, particularly aiming to ship fish to western New York. Fisher's business acumen is evident in his strategic sourcing of fish, which he acquires from small gillnetters located in Hyannis, Harwich, and Sandwich.

Peter Heleen, fifty-six years old, has been involved in the fishing and shipping industry since he was a teenager. A graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, he worked for a variety of companies, including C.E. Beckman Company, a marine supply company, until 2013, when he became the yards purchasing manager for the Fairhaven Shipyard. He discusses his early years in the industry, the challenges of the job, his relationships with vendors and how the industry has changed over the years, particularly in terms of inventory management.

Mr. Olson tells of his days fishing with gill nets, lobstering in the 1960's and 1970's and his first lobster boat.

Petter and his wife Sharon own Harbor Hydraulics in Fairhaven, which he started with his brother some years ago. Petter graduated from New Bedford Vocational school, worked fishing with his father-in-law for a while, then at Scandia propellers, and eventually opened his own shop doing both installations and the business end of the paperwork. Sharon does the computer work and their son works in the shop and doing installations on the boats.

Phil Ashworth is a 49-year-old former fisherman of European American descent, residing in Dartmouth, Massachusetts]. He was born and raised primarily in New Bedford and its surrounding areas. Ashworth comes from a family with a rich history in the city of New Bedford. His grandfather served as the chief of police in the 1950s and 60s, and his father was a fisherman and a state trooper. Ashworth himself has a deep connection with the sea, having spent a significant part of his life as a fisherman.

Phil Ashworth is a seasoned fisherman with a career spanning over seventeen years. He began his career in the late '70s after completing school through CETA. His first job was on a scalloping boat, the Ellen Louise, under the captaincy of Jimmy Tinker from Maine. Despite having no prior experience in scalloping, Ashworth's hard work and determination earned him the respect of his crewmates and a full share on the boat. Over the years, Ashworth worked on various boats, including Portuguese draggers, and held master's papers for several vessels.

Phillip Mello describes his duties as a general manager at Bergies Seafood in New Bedford, MA, including auctions, transportation, fish cutting, sales, deliveries and networking. He joined Tichon Seafood in 1980 and continues to be active throughout the Fairhaven/New Bedford Harbor. Mello enjoys photography and documenting the fishing community. Changes in weather and fishing regulations have altered prices, catches and the economy of the fishing industry.

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.

On March 13, 1999, Laura Cochrane interviewed Ralph Papirno at his home in Needham, Massachusetts, for the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and the American Meteorological Society Interview Project. Papirno discusses his experiences working as a meteorologist during World War II, detailing his decision to enter meteorology training as an alternative to combat roles. He recounts his prior education, holding a B.A. in mathematics and chemistry from New York University, and his initial employment teaching aircraft propeller maintenance at Chanute Field in Illinois.