Name/Title
Canepa, LarryEntry/Object ID
OH00025Scope and Content
Tuna Fishing
Mr. Canepa began fishing in the 1920s. He was born from Italian decent and from a line of family fishermen. He describes the hard working ethics of the old Italian fishermen. He discusses the gill netting process of fishing near the California coast. He describes the abundance of fish in the 1930s and the scarcity of fish today. He discusses the independence of fisherman who could sell directly to fish markets. Mr. Canepa paints a great picture of San Diego in the 1930s. He describes the Japanese fishermen accommodations next to the canneries. He draws a contrast to San Diego today, by describing how the poor lived near the water front, and how fish was not a trendy expensive meet in the 1930s. Mr. Canepa discusses the importance of canned fish for the troops overseas during WWII.
Mr. Canepa also gives a vivid description of the technical aspects of fishing. He describes the his experience as a skipper. The vivid technical themes he describes include; the process of icing down fish, the change from bait boats to purse seiners, the payment of fishermen and the number of fishermen on different kinds of fishing boats. He also gives a good description of the collective codes groups of fishermen used to find fish.
Mr. Canepa gives a vivid description of fishing in the Galapagos and the dangers of sharks for the fishermen in the racks of the fishing boats. Overall, his interview paints vivid pictures of life in San Diego and life as a fisherman.Collection
Oral History CollectionLexicon
Search Terms
Oral History, Tuna Fishing