Voices - FAQs

1. What is the Voices from the Fisheries Project?
2. How did the Voices from the Fisheries project start?
3. What institutions and individuals are affiliated with this project?
4. How can I participate in this project?
5. I am a commercial fisherman, shore side business owner, scientist, family member, etc…  Can I be interviewed?
6. How do I upload my collection with the Voices project? 
7. Is there a deadline to participation?
8. Can I participate more than once?
9. What portions of my collection can be contributed to the Voices project?
10. My collection includes interviews with recreational fishermen, charter fishermen, and freshwater fishermen. Does the Voices Project accept those interviews?
11. My collection was recorded on audio cassettes.  Are there recommended routes to digitize my collection for contribution to the archive?
12. Does my collection have to be digitized for inclusion?
13. Will the Voices project digitize my collection?
14. I published work based on my oral history collection.  Is there a way to include my published work on the Voices website?
15. Do I need to submit hard copies of my work?
16. I have my own website documenting my oral history work.  Can I just send the URL?
17. What does the Voices project NOT collect?
18. I am not sure my release forms cover uploading the oral histories to the Internet.  How can I be sure that my release form covers this media?
19. I do not have release forms.  Can I still participate?  How should I get release forms?
20. Some of my interviewees have passed away or have left the area, and I do not have a release form or my release form did not include the Internet.  What can I do to ensure that I have the appropriate releases to upload the interview to the Voices Project?
21. I would like to create work derived from my collection at a later date.  Do I retain my copyright?
22. Are the oral histories verified once received?
23. My organization requires researchers to provide information on how the oral history will be used in their research.  What kind of screening does the Voices project do of researchers?
24. How can I conduct research or view the Voices from the Fisheries collections?
25. Do you provide a suggested citation format for each oral history in the VFF Database?
26. What information will be made public on the VFF database?
27. How will my name appear in the Voices online archive?
28. I uploaded my collection to the Voices archive, but I cannot find it in the database.  Why not?
29. How can I obtain a copy of an interview or collection?
30. I am a teacher and want to get my students involved in this Project. How do I start?

1. What is the Voices from the Fisheries Project?
   The Voices from the Fisheries Project was initiated to create a central repository –the Voices from the Fisheries Database-- for consolidating, archiving, and disseminating oral history interviews related to commercial, recreational, and subsistence fishing in the United States and its territories.  Oral history interviews are a powerful way to document the human experience with our marine, coastal, Great Lakes, major riverine environments, and our living marine resources. The Voices from the Fisheries Database is a powerful resource available to the public to inform, educate, and provide primary information for researchers interested in our local, human experience with the surrounding marine and fresh water environment. 
2. How did the Voices from the Fisheries project start?
   In 2003 funding was provided by the NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Science and Technology for the Local Fisheries Knowledge Pilot Project. This project focused on training high school students to conduct oral history interviews with local fishermen and others in marine fishing-related industries to explore the connection between fisheries, the marine environment, and their communities. As part of the LFK Pilot Project, a database was created to provide a publicly accessible archive for these and other marine related oral history interviews. The LFK Pilot Project is now evolving into a 'one stop shop' for those interested in the human connection with our marine and aquatic environments, and our living marine resources.
3. What institutions and individuals are affiliated with this project?
   Project partners include the Working Waterfront Festival in New Bedford, MA; Rutgers University; and MIT Sea Grant. Additionally, each of the institutions that provide access to their collections through the Voices from the Fisheries Database is critically important to the overall success of this initiative.
4. How can I participate in this project?
   You can participate in the project by contributing your collection to the Voices from the Fisheries Project for inclusion in the database. You can also participate by starting a new project interviewing people involved with the commercial or recreational fishing industries, or involved in subsistence fishing or marine harvesting. These new oral histories can also be added to the database.  Follow the Five Easy Steps to participate.  A handbook has been developed to assist people interested in carrying out oral histories related to marine and other aquatic fisheries. Additionally, we have provided a bibliography for further reading.
5. I am a commercial fisherman, shore side business owner, scientist, family member, etc…  Can I be interviewed?
   Of course!  You could have a family member, friend, or colleague digitally record an interview with you.  Make sure they check our handbook and other resources to help guide them through the process.  You can check with your nearest folklife center to see if they can help you with the recording.
6. How do I upload my collection with the Voices project?
   We have a simple registration process where you receive a username and password that can be used to upload and access your profile and contributions.
7. Is there a deadline to participation?
   There is no deadline to participate.  The VFF project is ongoing.
8. Can I participate more than once?
   Yes, you can participate more than once.  Once you have registered, you can continually submit materials through that registration.  We encourage you to submit oral history interviews as soon as each is completed.
9. What portions of my collection can be contributed to the Voices project?
   The Voices Project accepts interviews and associated materials in the following file types: interview transcription and other text files in .PDF format; picture files in .BMP, .JPG, and .JPEG formats; audio files in .MP3 format; and digital video files in .AVI, .MP4, .MPG, and .WMV formats. These file types minimize download time for those accessing interviews. No other file formats are accepted. Written materials must be saved as PDF files.  At this time we cannot accept letters, diaries, and maps. Additionally, we cannot accept artifacts like fishing gear, other fishing technology, and so forth. We also accept listings of work derived or based on fisheries oral histories.  Some examples include films, books, and websites. We will add these to the resource list accessed by clicking on the Bibliography button on the VFF home page.
10. My collection includes interviews with recreational fishermen, charter fishermen, and freshwater fishermen.  Does the Voices Project accept those interviews?
    Yes! NOAA’s mission includes a wide variety of stakeholders including commercial, subsistence and recreational fishermen and their families, scientists, fishery managers, fishing community residents and many others.
11. My collection was recorded on audio cassettes.  Are there recommended routes to digitize my collection for contribution to the archive?
    For the online archive, a collection audio must be uploaded as an MP3 file.  While WAV files are better for archiving, our primary purpose is to make these works accessible to the public and MP3 files are smaller and easier to download.  Firms exist that will digitize audio cassettes and videotapes for a fee.  Contact your local folklife center, college library, or high school audiovisual department staff to get suggestions about how to find these companies in your region.  We encourage all participants to seek out funding to convert analog media into digital files to facilitate participation in the VFF database as well as for preservation of your interview recordings.
12. Will the Voices project digitize my collection?
    Your files have to be digitized for inclusion.  If you have transcripts of the analog (tape) audio file, these can be scanned, saved as a PDF file, and then uploaded.   We accept interviews and associated materials in the following file types: interview transcription and other text files in .PDF format; picture files in .BMP, .JPG, and .JPEG formats; audio files in .MP3 format; and digital video files in .AVI, .MP4, .MPG, and .WMV formats. These file types minimize download time for those accessing interviews. No other file formats are accepted. Written materials must be saved as PDF files. 
13. Does my collection have to be digitized for inclusion?
    Your audio file has to be digitized for inclusion.  However, if you have transcripts of the analog (tape) audio file, these could be scanned, saved as a PDF file, and then uploaded.  We encourage all participants to seek out funding to convert analog media into digital files to facilitate participation in the VFF database as well as for preservation of your interview recordings.
14. I published work based on my oral history collection.  Is there a way to include my published work on the Voices website?
    Yes, we can feature your published work on the website.  To do this, just send us the complete citation, and we will add it to the resources list accessed through our website.  If your work is available on another website, give us the URL and we will include the link on the VFF website.
15. Do I need to submit hard copies of my work?
    No, you do not have to submit hard copies of your work.  However, please retain a hard copy for yourself.
16. I have my own website documenting my oral history work.  Can I just send the URL?
    While we would like to have copies of each collection included in the VFF database, we understand that some collection curators and/or those who collected individual oral histories do not want to place copies in the VFF Database. In these cases, we want to include a link to your collection on our website. Send us the URL and we will establish a link if the collection is congruent with the VFF Database collection.
17. What does the Voices project NOT collect?
    See Question #9.
18. I am not sure my release forms cover uploading the oral histories to the Internet.  How can I be sure that my release form covers this media?
    If you are unsure about whether the release form extends to publication to the Internet, we suggest you contact your interviewees to confirm and sign an additional release to allow the oral histories to be put on the Internet.  You can download our VFF Interviewee Release Form to use for this purpose.  You should also have the person who conducted the interview sign the Interviewer Release Form to ensure that they agree to the interview being placed in the VFF Database.
19. I do not have release forms.  Can I still participate?  How should I get release forms?
    Release forms are extremely important for oral histories and interviews in general.  Release forms guarantee interviewees’ legal copyright to the materials while ensuring that they agree to their interviews being placed on the internet for public access.  We have provided release forms that you can use.  If you do not have release forms, you should contact your interviewees to sign a release form that clearly states that the interview will be placed on the VFF Database, and that they agree to this use of the interview.  If  you are unable to locate your interviewee, you can still put the oral history on the VFF Database provided that you have made a "due diligence" effort to contact that person.  This is demonstrated by mailing a letter to the last know address of the person in which you describe your intention to put the interview on the VFF Database.  Include a copy of the release form.  If the letter is returned to you by the Post Office as "undeliverable", this constitutes due diligence.  You will then be able to upload the interview to the database, and you will be required to warrant that you have carried out due diligence in trying to contact the interviewee.
20. Some of my interviewees have passed away or have left the area, and I do not have a release form or my release form did not include the Internet.  What can I do to ensure that I have the appropriate releases to upload the interview to the Voices Project?
    In the case of a deceased interviewee, the interviewee’s power of attorney, estate executor, or family member with legal ownership may sign the release form.  If you do not have contact with the interviewee nor know of any family members to sign the release form, you can still put the oral history on the VFF Database provided that you have made a "due diligence" effort to contact that person.  This is demonstrated by mailing a letter to the last know address of the person in which you describe your intention to put the interview on the VFF Database.  Include a copy of the release form.  If the letter is returned to you by the Post Office as "undeliverable", this constitutes due diligence.  You will then be able to upload the interview to the database, and you will be required to warrant that you have carried out due diligence in trying to contact the interviewee.
21. I would like to create work derived from my collection at a later date.  Do I retain my copyright?
    Yes, your copyright is retained.
22. Are the oral histories verified once received?
    The Voices from the Fisheries Project does not verify the accuracy of materals submitted to us. The opinions expressed in the interviews are those of the interviewee only and are made available to the public with their consent.
23. My organization requires researchers to provide information on how the oral history will be used in their research.  What kind of screening does the Voices project do of researchers?
    We do not screen researchers.  The Voices from the Fisheries Database is a publicly accessible resource.  For this reason, we require the person uploading the interview to warrant that they have obtained permission from the interviewee and others involved in collecting the interview to place it on the VFF Database for public use. 
    
    If your organization or you do not feel comfortable uploading the collection to the VFF Database because we do not control access to the resource, you can provide a URL link to your collection. We will post it to the links section of the VFF website.
24. How can I conduct research or view the Voices from the Fisheries collections?
    There is a search screen that allows you to select and search a variety of topics and other basic information about each interview.
25. Do you provide a suggested bibliographic reference for each oral history?
    Yes, we provide a suggested citation format.
26. What information will be made public on the VFF database?
    The information that will be made public on the Voices database includes the interviewee's name, location, age, sex, and occupation.  If an interviewee does not want their name to appear, their name can be entered as "Anonymous" but as much other demographic information as is known will be included.
27. How will my name appear in the VFF Database?
    If you were interviewed, your name will be included with your interview listing, unless you requested to be entered as "Anonymous".  If you are an interviewer, your name and affiliation will be listed with all interviews you completed.
28. I uploaded my collection to the Voices archive, but I cannot find it in the database.  Why not?
    Please contact technical services: voices@noaa.gov
29. How can I obtain a copy of an interview or collection?
    Locate the interview that interests you by using the website's search screen.  When you have located the interview that interests you, you will be able to download all files associated with the interview to your own computer. If the interview is stored in the database as a PDF file of an interview transcription, you will be able to print the file and/or download the file to your computer. 
30. I am a teacher and want to get my students involved in this Project. How do I start?
    The Local Fisheries Knowledge project provides information on developing oral history projects related to marine fisheries with high school and college students.  The Voices from the Fisheries Handbook also contains much helpful information for teachers developing projects. The VFF Bibliography includes references for teachers. Once your project's interviews have been completed and uploaded to the Voices from the Fisheries Database, they can be located through the VFF search window using the search query for school projects.

The Voices from the Fisheries Project does not verify the accuracy of materials submitted to us.
The opinions expressed in the interviews are those of the interviewee only and are made available to the public with their consent.