Southeast Fisheries Science Center

Interviewee Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Scott Childress, Jim Zubrick, and Mark Kramer A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Scott Childress was born and raised in Tampa and started fishing at age fifteen, and as an adult got into recreational, then commercial spearfishing out of New Port Richey and, on occasion, Steinhatchee. His inshore fishery is Cedar Key to Tarpon Springs.

Scope and Content Note

 Michael Jepson Steinhatchee, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Tommy Locke A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Tommy Locke was born in Webster, Florida. He has been fishing his entire life but started his career in Homosassa as a charter captain.

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Boca Grande, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Al Durrett A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Al Durret is a Marina owner in Fort Myers Beach.  He has been in Fort Myers Beach for thirty-three years.  He sells shrimp as bait. 

Scope and Content Note 

 Amanda Stoltz Fort Myers, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Buster McKay A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Biographical Sketch:

Buster McKay is a seasoned fisherman who has been fishing throughout Florida's gulf coast since the late 1940s. He has been fishing Florida’s gulf coast since the early 1940s, commercially catching red snapper and grouper.

Scope and Content:

 Matt McPherson Panama City, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Ellis Dosher and Robert Bullard A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Robert Bullard and Ellis Dosher are both fishers from Florida. Born and raised on the east coast of Florida.

Scope and Content Note

Bullard and Dosher describe learning to fish at a very young age, continuing through their teens, and eventually starting their own gag grouper fishing business. They also refer to the fishing gear they use, fishing grounds, vessels, and the fishing community in eastern Florida.

 Michael Jepson Steinhatchee, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Van Hubbard A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Van Hubbard grew up in the Tampa Bay area. He used to net fish until the ban and got his captain’s license in 1976 and started chartering. He used to fish offshore but now he fishes inshore. His main target species are trout, redfish, king mackerel, kingfish, and Spanish mackerel. 

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Boca Grande, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Don Jones A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Don Jones is a commercial fisherman who grew up in the Boca Grande North area and has spent most of his life in the fishing business. He has witnessed red tide occurrences throughout the years, but they were typically short-lived, lasting a couple of weeks to a month. However, in recent times, particularly during the last year, he experienced a severe and prolonged red tide event that lasted year-round and significantly impacting his fishing business.

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Fort Myers, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Danny Ratfield A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Danny Ratfield is a seasoned expert in Florida's coastal areas and fisheries, with nearly 30 years of experience exploring locations like the Florida Keys and the Everglades. He advocates for studying and addressing red tide and water quality issues to restore the natural balance of the ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of sustainable solutions.

Scope and Content Note

 Unknown Panama City, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Waylon Mills A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Wayton Mills is a fourth-generation fishing guide and charter boat captain who has been leading fishing trips in the Boca Grande for 26 years. Initially focused on charter fishing, including both offshore and inshore fishing, Mills also engaged in stone crabbing until logistical challenges and distant buyers led him to discontinue it in 2017. 

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Boca Grande, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Henry R. Blakely A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Henry Blakely is an experienced fisherman based in Fort Myers Beach, with a focus on stone crabbing and kingfish fishing. Throughout his life, he has witnessed and dealt with the impact of red tide occurrences on fishing activities in the region.

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Fort Myers, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
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