Avery Bates, of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, was interviewed on several occasions. Mr. Bates is president of the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama (OSAA). Mr. Bates spoke on past and current conditions of the seafood industry, in addition to various aspects of laws and regulations affecting the industry. Mr. Bates was also instrumental in providing contacts within the fishing community.

B.G. Thompson, whose family has been in the seafood industry another for generations, in one way or another, was interviewed on August 22, 2008. Mr. Thompson spoke of his family's involvement in the seafood industry, which included oystering and shrimping. Mr. Thompson related that his father used to own an oyster canning plant in Coden, Alabama and brought an empty can he has kept over the years to show us. Mr. Thompson, who worked for the National Marine Fisheries Service for 27 years, also spoke in great detail about regulations that have affected the fishing industry in the area.

This interview with Brett Dungan was conducted by Michael Stieber and took place on August 5, 2008. Brett Dungan is the president of Master Marine, a shipyard based in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Dungan moved to Bayou La Batre in January 1978 and has been actively involved in the boat-building industry since then. The interview provides a comprehensive overview of Master Marine’s history and its role in the boat-building industry of Bayou La Batre.

David Bosarge, of Coden, Alabama, was interviewed on August 7, 2008. Mr. Bosarge's family has been in the seafood industry for generations, particularly in the oystering and boat building industries. Besides an interview, Mr. Bosarge was also filmed giving a demonstration of building a pair of oyster tong handles, as well as, working on a wooden boat he was building at the time. Bosarge skiffs are known throughout southwest Alabama, and Mr. Bosarge is the last Bosarge building these boats. However, these boats are now only built part time and to order. Mr.

Dillard Wilkerson was interviewed on August 22, 2008. This interview was very productive because it took place on the site of Mr. Sprinkle's net shop and footage of a shrimp net being constructed was filmed. Both men used to shrimp and own their own boats. However, both are retired from the shrimping industry because of high costs of maintaining a boat. The two spoke about the shrimping industry in the past and present, in addition to discussing the techniques and materials used in shrimp net making.

George Henry Sprinkle was interviewed on August 22, 2008. This interview was very productive because it took place on the site of Mr. Sprinkle?s net shop and footage of a shrimp net being constructed was filmed. Both men used to shrimp and own their own boats. However, both are retired from the shrimping industry because of high costs of maintaining a boat. The two spoke about the shrimping industry in the past and present, in addition to discussing the techniques and materials used in shrimp net making.

Milton Zirlott, of Coden, Alabama, was interviewed on August 7, 2008 along with his wife, Midge. Mr. Zirlott's family has also been in the seafood industry for generations, specifically in oystering, net making, boat building, shrimping, and retailing aspects. Mr. Zirlott, now retired, shrimped most of his life and at one point owned several shrimp boats. This profession took Mr. Zirlott to many destinations besides the Gulf Waters, including South America and Africa.

Minh Van Le, of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, was interviewed on September 10, 2008. Mr. Le is branch manager of Boat People SOS in Bayou La Batre. In addition, Mr. Le owns two shrimp boats. In the 1970's Bayou La Batre experienced and influx of refugees from Asian countries. Boat People SOS helps refugees get integrated into communities around the country. Mr. Le also discussed current conditions in the seafood industry and the role Asians have played in the seafood industry and Bayou La Batre in general. Lastly, Mr.

On August 22, 2008, Michael Stieber interviewed Rodney Lyons for the Preserving Oral Histories of Waterfront-Related Pursuits in Bayou La Batre project. Rodney Lyons was born and raised in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and his family has been deeply involved in the seafood industry for generations. His grandfathers were commercial fishermen, and his family members have participated in nearly every aspect of the seafood trade, from fishing and crabbing to dealing with seafood and making nets.