Andrew Ross
Boat Stories
Commercial fishing has deep cultural ties to the Georgia coast, particularly the shrimping industry, which is the state’s largest and most economically valuable fishery. Shrimping has played an integral role in shaping the identities of the commercial fishermen who have spent most of their lives on the water. At the heart of these identities are the fishing boats that have carried captains and their crew for decades.
These vessels have been bought and sold by fishermen up and down the coast for decades, connecting multiple generations of fishing families. They serve as the backbone of Georgia’s shrimping industry and have become iconic symbols for fresh and locally harvested seafood for the millions of residents and tourists who visit the coast.
In 2020-2021, Anthropologists at Georgia Southern University collaborated with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant to record the stories and experiences of local shrimpers and their boats. Funded by Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resource Division through a Coastal Improvement Grant (NOAA #NA20NOS4190175), student researchers learned about commercial fishing as they conducted these oral history interviews. These recordings powerfully preserve the voices and culture of commercial fishing to be shared with current and future generations. This database of knowledge is also available to guide science and regulatory decisions. Get to know Georgia's commercial fishermen by listening to their "Boat Stories"
Frederick Lee
Andrew Ross is a seasoned commercial fisherman based in Brunswick, Georgia. He has been involved in the shrimping industry since he was 20 years old, initially working as a deckhand on his father's boat, the Burn East 2. As his father aged, Ross took over the role of Captain and has been operating the boat ever since. The Burn East 2, a wooden boat built in 1944, is one of the oldest boats in the area. Ross's family has a long history in the marine business, with his father involved in bridge construction and his great grandfather building jetties in the area. Ross's work extends beyond commercial fishing, as he has also been involved in creating fisheries for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and renting out his boat for film productions, including the popular TV show, The Walking Dead.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with Andrew Ross, conducted by Freddy Lee and Kassidy Gunn on November 12, 2021, provides an in-depth look into Ross's history and experiences in the commercial fishing industry in Georgia. Ross discusses his journey from deckhand to Captain of the Burn East 2, a boat that has been in his family for generations. He shares insights into the longevity and maintenance of fishing boats, specifically his wooden boat built in 1944. Ross also touches on the generational aspect of his work, with his father and great grandfather also involved in marine-related work. The interview also explores the future of commercial shrimping in Georgia, with Ross expressing concerns about the impact of large companies on the industry. Additionally, Ross shares unique experiences of using his boat for other purposes, such as creating fisheries for the DNR and participating in film productions. The interview concludes with Ross reflecting on the history of Brunswick as a hub for shrimping and his family's deep-rooted connection to the marine business.
Project Note
This project is supported under grant award #NA20NOS4190175 to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources from the Office for Coastal Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of DNR, OCM or NOAA.
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