Georgia Southern University

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Frank Eldon McDowell Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Frank McDowell is a seasoned commercial fisherman from Georgia with a rich family history deeply rooted in the fishing industry. Born and raised in a large family of fishermen, McDowell's life has been shaped by the sea and the challenges that come with making a living from it. His experiences span from the tradition of blessing the fleet to witnessing significant changes in the fishing community over the years.

Angelique Jennings, Scott Clark Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Charles W. Jones Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Charles Jones is a seasoned fisherman from Darien, Georgia, who has spent a significant part of his life in the commercial fishing industry. Born and raised in Darien, Jones began his fishing career at a young age, heading shrimp at the docks after school to earn money for his family's needs. Jones briefly left the fishing industry to serve in the Vietnam War, after which he returned to fishing with his father. He later bought his own boat and began running his own fishing operations. Jones also worked for the Georgia State Patrol for a period of time before buying his second boat.

Victoria Barrett, Julia Thomas Darien, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
John Tyre Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

John Tyre, a native of Brunswick, Georgia, has woven the fabric of his life with threads of maritime tradition and public service. Beginning his foray into the world of fishing at the age of ten, Tyre was introduced to the craft by his father and brother, who were his early mentors in the art of angling and shrimping. These formative years on the water ingrained in him a diverse array of fishing skills and techniques that he would carry throughout his life.

Julia Thomas, Victoria Barrett Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Robert Lee Everson, Sr. Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Interview with Robert Lee Everson, Sr.

Kendra Cooper, Alexis McGhee Darien, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Herbert McIver, Jr. Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Herbert Mcliver, Jr. is a seasoned shrimp boat captain with a rich history rooted in the fishing community. Born and raised in a fishing environment, Mcliver began his journey in the industry at a tender age, learning the ropes of fishing from his father. His early exposure to the fishing industry and the hands-on experience he gained over the years shaped his career path, eventually leading him to become a shrimp boat captain. Mcliver's career has been marked by both triumphs and trials, witnessing firsthand the positive and negative transformations within the fishing industry.

Danielle Sayre , Erin Scooler Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Dwight "Wynn" Darwin Gale, Jr. Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Wynn Gale is a lifelong resident of Darien, Georgia, and a fourth-generation fisherman. He began his career in commercial fishing at the age of twelve. Despite a brief attempt at a career in law enforcement, Gale returned to the fishing industry, following in the footsteps of his family who have only ever worked in fishing. Over the years, Gale has observed a significant decrease in the number of boats fishing in the area. He has also experienced the financial challenges of the industry, having had to sell his shrimp boat due to high dock rent and the lack of a crew.

Savannah Bell, Amber Gosser Darien, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
James Martin Higgins Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Marty Higgins is a native of Brunswick, a town with a rich heritage in the shrimping industry, which he entered following a long-standing family tradition. Growing up, Higgins was ingrained with the values and skills of shrimping by his father and grandfather, both seasoned practitioners of the trade. This early exposure to the industry not only equipped him with the necessary expertise but also instilled in him a profound appreciation for the lifestyle that comes with being on the water.

Amber Gosser, Savannah Bell Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Thornell King Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

The interview begins with a brief history of Thornell King's childhood and his father’s involvement in selling fish back in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He then goes on to talk about his brief interest in shrimping and how that eventually led him into the world of jellyballing. He describes his time under his mentor, George Tye, and how Tye eventually gifted him his three boats and his jellyballing company.

Angelique Jennings, Scott Clark Darien, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Robert David Waters Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Interview with Robert David Waters.

Ahmauri Williams-Alford, Nompumelelo Hlophe Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
David Anthony Karwacki Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

David "Tony" Karwacki is a seasoned commercial fisherman from Darien, Georgia. Born into a family of fishermen, Tony has been involved in the fishing industry since he was a child. His father, a first-generation fisherman, introduced him to the trade at a young age. Tony recalls standing on a five-gallon bucket to look over the console and drive the boat when he was just five years old. By the age of fourteen, he was already captaining his own boat and pulling his own set of crab traps.

Danielle Sayre , Erin Scooler Darien, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University