We lost everything in a matter of hours.

On September 15, 2002, Nancy Solomon of Long Island Traditions interviewed Bill Hamilton, a member of the Brookhaven Baymens' Association, in Patchogue, New York. Hamilton provided a detailed history of the Brookhaven Baymens' Association, founded in the 1970s, and its initial focus on clamming issues. Key figures in its early days included Grant and John Mensal, Doc Murray, and Mario Carrera. Hamilton discussed various challenges faced by the Association, such as price fixing, reciprocal agreements between townships, and attempts to limit licenses.

Bill Marinaccio, born and raised in Freeport, New York, is the son of Captain Carmine Marinaccio, a well-known charter boat captain. Growing up in a maritime environment, Bill was introduced to the fishing industry at a young age. He began helping his father with boat maintenance as a child and progressed to more significant roles, including first mate on his father's charter boat. Bill pursued higher education, attending college in 1962, before enlisting in the Army and serving as a military intelligence special agent during the Vietnam War.

On February 3, 2015, Nancy Solomon interviewed William "Bill" Reed for Long Island Traditions. Bill comes from Hampton Bays and is the fourteenth of sixteen children in his family. From a young age, he was influenced by his older brothers, who were baymen, and he developed a keen interest in the water and fishing. He pursued college for a brief period before fully immersing himself in a career as a fisherman.

On November 28, 2007, Nancy Solomon conducted an interview with Bill Tunney as part of the Long Island Traditions Oral History Collection. Tunney is a commercial fisherman based in East Patchogue, New York. He grew up in Bellport Village and started clamming on Great South Bay when he bought his first boat at the age of thirteen. Over the years, Tunney began to work out on the ocean and has expanded his fishing activities to include gillnetting as well as dredging for crabs and scallops.

Bob Bourguignon is a renowned figure in the world of Peconic Baymen, hailing from the region of Flanders in Long Island, New York. Born and raised in the area, Bob has dedicated his life to the art of shellfishing and has become a respected expert in his field. Bob's journey as a Peconic Bayman began at a young age, learning the ropes and techniques from his family members who were involved in the same profession. His uncle, in particular, played a significant role in shaping Bob's understanding and passion for shellfishing.

On March 8, 1988, Nancy Solomon interviewed Bob Doxsee Jr. as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history project. Bob's family has a long history in the fishing industry on Long Island. Bob begins by recounting his childhood experiences living in a house on Meadow Island, which was only accessible by boat. He describes the unique features of the house, such as the kerosene stove and lamps, rain barrel, and artesian well.

On January 26, 2015, Nancy Solomon interviewed Bob Doxsee Jr. as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history project. He recounts his experiences and memories of Point Lookout, New York, particularly focusing on the mid-20th century. He describes the significant impact of nor'easters and hurricanes. Bob details the extensive efforts to combat coastal erosion, including the placement of rocks by the Town of Hempstead and the creation of a clam shell reef by his father, a project approved by the U.S. Army engineers.

On July 12, 2000, Steve Warrick interviewed Bob Kaler as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history collection. Bob Kaler, a lifelong resident of Patchogue, New York, worked in clamming and crabbing for decades. Bob discusses the process of setting trap lines for crabbing, attributing his start in the industry to living near the bay. Over the years, he's seen the number of crabbers increase in reaction to a decline in the clamming industry and the rising demand for crabs.

On July 16, 2000 Steve Warrick interviewed Robert Lowell Slager for the Long Island Traditions oral history project. Bob followed in the footsteps of his father, and started dredging clams at the age of 16. Bob provides details about his life as a clam dredger and the changing nature of the bay, including the sharp drop in clam populations due, in part, to pollution, as well as the shift from primarily seeing commercial boats to pleasure boats.