Georgia Southern University

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Jonathan Bennett Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Jonathan Bennett is a fifth-generation commercial fisherman from Brantley County in Waynesville, Georgia. Born into a family deeply involved in the shrimping industry, Bennett has been on a boat since he was three years old. His grandfather, who owned his own boats, introduced him to the fishing life, which he describes as a rough and labor-intensive one. Despite the challenges, Bennett took over his own boat at the age of twenty, a decision driven by opportunity and the need to support his family financially.

Victoria Barrett, Julia Thomas Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Renee Audrey Jones Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Interview with Renee Audrey Jones.

Victoria Barrett, Julia Thomas Valona, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Lindsey Parker Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Lindsey Parker was born in 1956 in East Point, Georgia, and later moved to St. Simons Island, Georgia, in 1965 after his father secured a job in Brunswick. His career was deeply entrenched in the fishing industry, where he developed a wealth of knowledge in various fishing techniques, including shrimping and longlining. Parker's significant tenure on the research vessel Georgia Bulldog allowed him to contribute to both the practical and investigative aspects of marine life and the fishing trade.

Kendra Cooper, Alexis McGhee Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Robert Todd Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Robert Todd is a descendant of a long line of shrimp fishermen, with roots deeply entrenched in the trade that spans over four generations. Born and raised in the coastal enclave of Valona, McIntosh County, Todd's life has been inextricably linked to the sea and the shrimping industry from a tender age. His early exposure to the family business under the tutelage of his father and grandfather instilled in him a profound appreciation for the craft of shrimping.

Ahmauri Williams-Alford, Nompumelelo Hlophe , Alexis McGhee Valona, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Marcus McCall Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Marcus McCall is a commercial fisherman whose family lineage has deep roots in the fishing industry of Brunswick, Georgia. His personal narrative is interwoven with the historical fabric of the local fishing community, which has experienced a significant decline over the years. McCall's life on the water is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who have made their livelihood from the sea. He embodies the traditional values of freedom and independence often associated with the profession.

Erin Scooler, Scott Clark Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Tommy Brown Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Interview with Tommy Brown. 

Savannah Bell, Amber Gosser Valona, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Gibb Walker Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Gibb Walker, a native of Sapelo Island, Georgia, has been a part of the shrimping industry from a young age. Born on Sapelo Island, he moved to Brunswick in 1955 due to a lack of job opportunities in his hometown. His passion for shrimping was ignited by his uncle when he was around fifteen or sixteen years old, and his father was also a shrimper. At the age of twenty, he started running a boat in 1961 and continued shrimping until 2000 or 2003. Walker was one of the few Black captains in Brunswick, a position he held from around 1982 or 1985.

Ahmauri Williams-Alford, Nompumelelo Hlophe Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Leonard W. Crosby Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Leonard Crosby, a native of Savannah, Georgia, has a rich history deeply intertwined with the local fishing industry. His formative years were spent engaging with the natural waterways of his hometown, where he developed a passion for catfishing and mullet jumping. This early exposure to aquatic life led him to pursue a career closely connected to the water. Initially, Crosby found employment with the railroad, a job that, while not directly related to fishing, kept him in proximity to the coastal environment he cherished.

Jennifer Sweeney Tookes, Danielle Sayre Richmond Hill, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Marie & Thurmond Kern Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Thurmond and Marie Kern are a couple deeply rooted in the commercial fishing industry, with a particular focus on shrimping. Thurmond hails from a family with a longstanding tradition in the industry, indicating a generational involvement that has shaped his life and career. His experiences are marked by a profound understanding of the challenges and transformations within the commercial fishing sector. Marie, alongside Thurmond, has been an integral part of the fishing community, contributing her perspective and witnessing the evolution of the industry over the years.

Angelique Jennings, Scott Clark Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Leon Skipper Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Leon Skipper is a seasoned commercial fisherman from McIntosh County, Georgia, with over fifty years of experience in the shrimping industry. Born and raised in Bolin, Georgia, Skipper moved to Meridian later in life. His passion for shrimping was ignited during his childhood when he would accompany his father on fishing trips during weekends and school holidays. Skipper's career in shrimping has taken him from North Carolina to the Gulf Coast, Texas, Campeche Mexico, and back up to Tampa, Florida.

Victoria Barrett, Julia Thomas Darien, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University