On April 5, 1988, Nancy Solomon interviewed Brad Keene as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history project. Brad is a seasoned boatman with a deep-rooted connection to his family's maritime legacy. The Keene family has a rich history in Freeport, as Brad's grandfather, Henry Uktch, founded the Freeport Boatman's Association. Brad traces his family lineage back to his great-grandfather, Van Schaaner, who had a fish market in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

On September 27, 2011, Nancy Solomon interviewed Joe Scavone as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history project. Joe, a fisherman from Freeport, recalls how he started fishing as a young child with his father on the weekends, and describes how his mother and grandmother would prepare the fish for family meals. Joe describes his transition into commercial fishing, which began in his teens, when he worked on a gillnet boat. He explains the seasonal cycles of fishing and the various techniques and tools he uses to catch which fish in which season.

On June 3, 1987, Nancy Solomon interviewed Danny Koch as part of the Long Island Traditions Oral History Collection. Danny is a lifelong bayman who has been working the bay area for his entire life, just like his father, uncle, and grandfathers before him. Danny explains the process of setting traps and the varying number of killey he catches each day, depending on the tides and other factors.  He emphasizes that the bay he fishes in is not a particularly productive fishing area, as indicated by the sounds of gulls.

On May 6, 1987, Nancy Solomon interviewed brothers Lenny and Danny Koch as part of the Long Island Traditions Oral History Collection. Lenny and Danny grew up in Baldwin, New York, where their family developed deep ties to the boating and fishing industries. Their grandfather was a captain and their father, along with many other relatives, worked as a fisherman in the region. Lenny’s career along the eastern seaboard has included diverse activities, from shrimping in Florida to dragging off the Connecticut shoreline.

This oral history interview, conducted on July 1, 2000, by Steve Warwick for Long Island Traditions, features Donald Allen Bevelander, a long-time bayman from Sayville, New York. Born on June 17, 1912, in West Sayville, Bevelander provides a detailed account of his life and experiences working on the Great South Bay. He discusses his early life, including moving to Sayville in 1940 and his service during World War II. Bevelander recalls his involvement in community activities, such as organizing the Sayville Little League and serving in the Sayville Fire Department for several decades.

The interview with Tom Kuhner, conducted by Mary Lee on June 11, 2001, provides a comprehensive narrative of his life as a fisherman on Long Island. Born in Freeport, Kuhner’s earliest memories include crabbing and clamming, and starting a lucrative salmon bait business as a child. His fishing career spans various locales, from Freeport to Patchogue, before settling in West Babylon in the mid-1970s. Kuhner’s experience is enriched by his relationship with a commercial fisherman who lived with his family during his youth, significantly influencing his skills and career path.

On July 3, 2000, Steve Warrick interviewed Flo Sharkey as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history collection. Flo, a dedicated baywoman from Long Island, comes from a family deeply rooted in the fishing and shellfishing industry. Flo explains the various methods she uses when clamming and discusses the types of clams she gathers. She learned the trade from her brother and father and shares insights about treading and scratch raking.

On December 8, 1989, Nancy Solomon interviewed Charles Brower, a former cod fisherman from Baldwin. Brower, who began fishing at fifteen, comes from a lineage of fishermen, with his father and uncles also deeply involved in the trade. The interview delves into the evolution of fishing techniques and equipment, particularly the use of gillnets and the transition from cotton to nylon lines. Brower describes the process of gillnetting and cod fishing, highlighting the seasonal nature of these activities and the physical demands involved.

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.

On July 10, 2000, Nancy Solomon interviewed Jerry Collins as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history project. Jerry, a lifelong resident of the Sayville area in Bay Shore, often accompanied his father into the bay, beginning his full-time involvement in clamming in 1946, primarily as a tonger. He discusses the significance of facing the elements and perseverance in this line of work and the importance of having a good boat and engine. He explains the methods of tonging and describes the types and sizes of tongs used.