Bennett Orr

Location of Interview
Collection Name

Changes in the Florida Keys Marine Ecosystem Based Upon Interviews with Experienced Residents

Description

"Changes in the Florida Keys Marine Ecosystem Based Upon Interviews with Experienced Residents" is a  collection by Karen DeMaria of Summerland Key, FL completed in April 1996. Funded by the Nature Conservancy and the Center for Marine Conservation, the project sought to describe through oral history interviews, environmental changes in the Florida Keys marine ecosystem. 

Interviewer
Transcribers

National Capital Contracting 

Audio
Transcript
Biographical Sketch

Bennett Orr is a seasoned commercial fisherman who has been living in the Marathon area since 1993. Born in 1935, Orr has spent a significant portion of his life in the Florida Keys, specifically in Key West and Marathon. His primary occupation is fishing, with a focus on catching crawfish and stone crabs. During the summer, Orr switches to hook and line fishing, primarily targeting dolphins. He is known for his extensive knowledge of the local waters, fishing in the east and west to the north shore. Orr's experience and observations over the years have given him a unique perspective on the changing conditions of the local marine environment. He has noticed significant changes in the water's color and clarity, as well as shifts in the marine life that inhabits his usual fishing spots. Orr's observations and experiences provide valuable insights into the environmental changes occurring in the Florida Keys.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Bennett Orr conducted by Karen DeMaria, provides a detailed account of his experience and observations as a fisherman in the Florida Keys. The conversation covers a range of topics, including Orr's personal background, fishing practices, and observations of environmental changes in the local marine ecosystem. Orr shares his experiences of fishing for crawfish, stone crabs, and dolphins, and discusses the changes he has noticed in the water's color and the marine life in his usual fishing spots. The interview also touches on the impact of human activities on the marine ecosystem, with discussions on issues such as trap fishing and the accumulation of sediment and pollutants in the water. This interview provides valuable firsthand accounts of the environmental changes occurring in the Florida Keys and their impact on local fishing practices.


Please Note: The oral histories in this collection are protected by copyright and have been created for educational, research and personal use as described by the Fair Use Doctrine in the U.S. Copyright law. Please reach out  Voices@noaa.gov to let us know how these interviews are being used in your research, project, exhibit, etc.  The Voices staff can help provide other useful resources related to your inquiry. 

The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. The Voices Oral History Archives offers public access to a wide range of accounts, including historical materials that are products of their particular times, and may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes.

Voices Oral History Archives does not verify the accuracy of materials submitted to us. The opinions expressed in the interviews are those of the interviewee only. The interviews here have been made available to the public only after the interviewer has confirmed that they have obtained consent.