Bill Harris
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"
Samantha Sheppard
Bill Harris is a seasoned fisherman and co-owner of Sapelo Shrimp Company based in Darien, Georgia. He has been involved in the fishing industry for several decades, having bought his first boat in 1989. Over the years, Harris has owned and operated several fishing vessels, with his most recent being the Brenda K, formerly known as the Lang's Pride. Harris serves as the captain of his boats, but he also manages operations on the dock, including unloading shrimp from other fishermen, selling shrimp, ice, and fuel. Despite the challenges and dangers he has faced at sea, including hurricane conditions and equipment breakdowns, Harris remains passionate about his work and is even willing to return to full-time fishing to mentor his grandson if he shows interest in the industry.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with Bill Harris, conducted on November 13, 2021, provides an in-depth look into his experiences and stories from his long career in the fishing industry. Harris discusses his most recent boat, the Brenda K, detailing its history, the work he put into making it seaworthy, and his role as its captain. He also shares anecdotes from his time at sea, including a harrowing encounter with hurricane conditions and the various unusual items he has caught, such as old ship anchors, a driver's license, and a sunfish. Harris also provides insights into the fishing industry, describing it as a field that requires hard work but offers good earning potential, and is populated by a variety of characters. The interview concludes with Harris expressing his willingness to return to full-time fishing to mentor his grandson, should he show interest in the industry.
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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