Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
Women in the Commercial Fishing Industry Research
Collection
Morris, Carole Teshima.
XOE_CPNWS0133womeninfishing
1 linear ft.
1902-1995
1988-1995
This collection of newspaper clippings, statistics, scholarly
articles, and first hand account oral interviews pertain to women in the commercial fishing
industry. They were collected by Carole Morris as a senior thesis project in Fairhaven
College at Western Washington University. These materials range from 1902 to
1995.
English .
These materials were collected by Carole Teshima Morris for a senior thesis project on
women in the commercial fishing industry for Fairhaven College at Western Washington
University. The resulting paper was entitled, "Permission to Come Aboard? Right to Come
Aboard? Women in the Pacific Northwest Fishing Fleet, 1945-1993." During the course of her
research, Morris collected numerous newspaper clippings, statistics, and scholarly articles.
Morris also conducted five oral interviews with fisherwomen to add to the written research
material that she collected.
The materials in this collection document issues relating to women working in the Alaskan
and Pacific Northwest commercial fishing industry. The bulk of this collection is comprised
of photocopied material gathered by Carole Morris during the course of her research on the
topic. She amassed not only a number of newspaper clippings that relate to fisherwomen, but
also articles, scholarly journals and trade magazines that pertain to commercial fishing in
general. In addition to articles and clippings, the collection includes bibliographic and
archival repository reference information as well as findings and reports from commissions
like the Washington State Fish Commissioner and the Commercial Fishers Project of the
Seaman's Church Institute of New York and New Jersey. The collection spans from 1902 to the
mid 1990s, although the majority of it dates from 1988 to 1995. Among the major topics
covered in this collection are equality, general fishing laws and regulations, names and
statistics of fisherwomen in the region, as well as issues of discrimination and harrassment
affecting women working in a male dominated profession.
Morris's finished thesis, "Permission to Come Aboard? Right to Come Aboard? Women in the
Pacific Northwest Fishing Fleet, 1945-1993," ties together these numerous sources on the
commercial fishing industry. The interviews date from 1993. Also included are the interview
forms and questionnaires that she used.
Women in the Commercial Fishing Industry Research Collection is arranged in accordance with
the following series arrangement:
- Series I: Research Material, 1902-1995
- Series II: Oral History Interviews, 1993
The collection is open to the public.
Women in the Commercial Fising Industry Reseach Collection, Center for Pacific Northwest
Studies, Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA
98225-9123.
Related material includes the Women's Maritime Association records, housed at the Center
for Pacific Northwest Studies.
One interview was removed at the request of the interviewee.
About Harmful Language and Content
To learn more about problematic content in our collections, collection description and
teaching tools (including how to provide feedback or request dialogue on this topic), see
the following Statement About Potentially Harmful Language and Content.
Morris, Carole Teshima.
Sex discrimination in employment--Washington
(State)--History--Sources.
Sex discrimination against women--Washington
(State)--History--Sources.
Sex discrimination in
employment--Alaska--History--Sources.
Sex discrimination against
women--Alaska--History--Sources.
Sexual
harassment--Washington(State)--History--Sources.
Fisheries--Washington
(State)--History--Sources.
Fisheries--Alaska--History--Sources.
Women fishers--Washington
(State)--History--Sources.
Women
fishers--Alaska--History--Sources.
Women fish trade workers--Washington
(State)--History--Sources.
Women fish trade
workers--Alaska--History--Sources.
Fishing and Canning
Women
Alaska
Washington (State)
Oral histories.
Records (Documents)
Research Material
Series I
1902-1995
Senior Thesis Western Washington University:
"Permission to Come Aboard? Right to Come Aboard? Women in the Pacific Northwest
Fishing Fleet, 1945-1993." Carole Teshima Morris, Winter 1994.
1994
1
1
Women in Northwest Commercial Fishing
Presentation
1994
1
2
Archival and Museum Fishing Resources
Materials
undated
1
3
Bibliographic Material Concerning Women in
Fishing
1973-1991
1
4
General Fishing Resources
1978-1994
1
5
Fishing Statistics
1987-1993
1
6
Fishing Legal Material
1930-1989
1
7
Fishing Newspaper Clippings – Work
1987-1995
1
8
Fishing Newspaper Clippings – Abuse
1989-1994
1
9
Fishing Journal, Magazine, and Newspaper
Articles
1980-1995
1
10
Fishing Journal, Magazine, and Newspaper
Articles
1980-1995
1
11
The Fisherman, 50th
Anniversary
1987
July
2
1
Thirteenth Annual Report of the State Fish
Commissioner to the Governor of the State of Washington
1902
2
2
Fishing Potential Women Interviewees
1978-1995
2
3
Oral History Interviews
Series II
1993
Maritime Surveys
undated
2
4
Fishing Letters/Interview Release
Information
1993
2
5
Dennis, Lyn
1993
February 11
1 audiocassette (60 min.)
2
6
Abstract: Lynn Dennis recounts her experience as a female
fisherman in the Pacific Northwest, where she fished for both sockeye salmon and crab.
Ms. Dennis explains that she first fished the Nooksack River in a 12-foot boat,
gradually working her way up to a 21-foot gill-netter (The Humdinger) operating out of
Point Roberts. She describes the tribal fisheries system (in which enrolled tribal
members can receive treaty licenses for commercial fishing), differences between
fishing on rivers and fishing in salt water, and selection of crew members. She
describes the realities of commercial fishing, fishing in inclement weather, and
lessons learned from those experiences. She discusses discrimination in fishing and
ways to overcome that adversity, and the economic and political climate of the
commercial fishing industry in the 1990s, including some ramifications of the
US-Canada Treaty on tribal fishing operations.
Jez, Katrina
undated
1 audiocassette (60 min.)
2
7
Abstract: Katrina Jez describes her work in fishing,
primarily in Southeast Alaska, and explains a typical season on a purse-seine boat.
She discusses crew turnover, salaries and her specific duties onboard the boat. She
reflects on the growing numbers of women working on purse-seiners, and the good living
provided by commercial fishing. She describes some of the dangers accompanying the
job, changes in the industry relating to boats, regulations, and resources, and the
strong sense of community in the fishing industry. She describes the process of
purse-seining and the joys and demands of the job. Ms. Jez discusses fisheries
management issues such as dwindling fish populations in Puget Sound and efforts to
restock Southeast Alaska fisheries. She mentions the politics of fishing, the impact
of Asian driftnet fishing, and describes an increasing consciousness about the
environment and pollution problems from within the fishing community. She reflects on
the potential challenges affecting women and other individuals involved in commercial
fishing.
Mosness, Anne
1993 April 20
2 audiocassettes (60 min.)
English.
2/8
Abstract: Anne Mosness recounts how she started fishing as
a child with her father (a commercial fisherman) then later joined him to fish in
Bristol Bay, Alaska, eventually buying a boat and joining a multi-generational family
of fishers. She talks about working during pregnancy and motherhood, safety
inspections and having her boat boarded by the Coast Guard. Other topics include the
responsibilities of working on and running a boat, working conditions, and handling
dangerous situations like poor weather, rough seas, problems with the boat, and
running the boat alone. Anne Mosness reflects on what appealed to her about fishing,
particularly how it tested her limits, and notes the strengths that women can bring to
fishing work. The interview includes descriptions of preparing for a fishing season,
relationships between canneries and fishermen/women, labor issues and pricing,
reflections on the nature of community among fisheries workers and inter-personnel
dynamics on a boat. The second part of the interview focuses on Mosness's work with
the Women's Maritime Association (WMA). She describes the WMA as the only support
network in the country, possibly the world, for women who are employed on marine
vessels. It was founded in response to the problems of sexual discrimination and
harassment at sea, as well as to provide connections between women in maritime work
and to educate about these opportunities. Topics discussed include: the different
backgrounds of WMA members, how to juggle a home life with seagoing work, the Women
Underway Symposium (re: mentorship) and the Sea Grant educational arm of the industry.
Anne Mosness describes WMA's primary focus as being on prevention of sexual harassment
and assault at sea (including hazing). She also discusses challenges of reporting
problems and getting involved in labor unions. She describes WMA's work with Congress
and maritime leadership to pass laws including the Sexual Abuse Act of 1986, and
argues for the role of the Coast Guard and the licensing and documentation process to
publicize existing laws.
Walker, Kim
1993
February 25
1 audiocassette (60 min.)
2
9
Abstract: Kim Walker recalls her introduction to fishing
as a nineteen-year old in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Her first job was as a cook on the
Unimak, a power scow tender and crabber. She describes experiences when she began work
as a deckhand, and explains the various job descriptions on a processing boat (approx.
130-140 feet). She discussed the dangers of fishing, especially during inclement
weather, and reflects on wages, family dynamics, licensing, and the experiences of
women in the industry.