Through interviews with local fishermen, and others in
fishing-related industries, students explore the connection
between fisheries, the marine envrionment, their communities,
and their own lives. In the process, students document
rich knowledge and experiences of these individuals for
Two high schools in Maine initially piloted the project
during the 2003–2005 school years (see Pilot
Jonesport/Beals HS is continueing it during the 2005/2006 academic
educators integrated the project into their classes and
curriculum, which provides academic benefits to students
and ensures the project is relevant to the local community.
Students choose the specific focus of their interviews
with guidance from teachers (Topics).
Students share their work by publishing the transcripts,
with the consent of interviewees, in NOAA’s online
Local Fisheries Knowledge Database,
which is free and accessible to the public.
Schools may also develop local uses for the interviews.
| Chesapeake Bay fisherman
with a basket of blue-crabs. Photo by Gene Cope, NOAA
Photo collage: 1) A fishing supplies
store, Maine. Photo by Jennifer Sepez, NOAA Fisheries. 2) Fishing
fog, Maine. Photo by Jennifer Isé, NOAA Fisheries.
3) Hauling in 400 tons of jack mackerel. Chile. Photo by C. Ortiz Rojas.
trap, SW Harbor, Maine. 1945. Photo by O.E. Sette, Courtesy of NEFSC. 5)
Ringed seal. Photo by Lew Consiglieri, NOAA Corps.