Bob Rich
Endangered Fishing Traditions of the Greater Miami Area
Broadly, the project seeks to preserve the rich history of endangered fishing traditions in the Greater Miami Area. These oral histories expand our knowledge and enrich our understanding of the region's fisheries as well as the role that fishing has had in shaping the region’s economic and cultural life. Our goal was to interview key individuals connected to the fishing history of Miami, including: commercial and for-hire fishers; fish dealers/processors; fish markets; and bait and tackle shops. Geographically, we aim to cover major fishing areas that are endangered and undergoing rapid change. These include the following: Miami River, Coconut Grove (Montys), Haulover Park in North Miami. The first collection of interviews are focused on the Miami River. These interviews are conducted in English and Spanish.
Fantastic Transcripts
Bob Rich is a native of Miami, where he spent his entire life and built a successful career in the maritime industry. His journey into the maritime business began with his father, who was initially an engineer for Pan Am but later ventured into entrepreneurship, starting a small business that eventually evolved into selling marine electronics. The industry was relatively small at the time, with no pressing need for radios and depth finders, but it has since grown and transformed with the advent of technologies like the Global Positioning System (GPS). Rich joined the family business after completing his education and has been instrumental in its growth and success over the past six decades. His business catered to a wide range of clients, including cargo operators, yacht owners, speedboat enthusiasts, fishermen, and even those involved in illicit activities. This diverse clientele provided Rich with a wealth of experiences and interactions with various characters, which he later compiled into a book containing about two hundred stories. His deep-rooted connection with the Miami River and the maritime industry, coupled with his extensive experience and knowledge, makes him a significant figure in the region's maritime history.
Scope and Content Note
The interview with Bob Rich, conducted on January 15, 2020, provides a comprehensive insight into his life, experiences, and contributions to the maritime industry in the Miami region, particularly on the Miami River. The discussion begins with Rich's personal history, including his birthplace, family background, and how he ventured into the business of selling maritime equipment. He also shares his experiences working in the industry, which was relatively small when he started but has since grown and evolved with technological advancements like GPS. The interview also delves into Rich's book, which is a compilation of about two hundred stories from his interactions with various characters in the maritime industry. These characters range from cargo operators and yacht owners to fishermen and those involved in illicit activities, reflecting the diverse clientele that his business catered to over the years. Overall, the interview offers a rich narrative of Rich's life and his significant contributions to the maritime industry in the Miami region.
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