Brande Bennett
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"
Kassidy Gunn
Brande Bennett is a seasoned fisherwoman from Brunswick, Georgia, who has been involved in the fishing industry since her childhood. Her involvement in the industry is generational, with her father owning the Dora F, a boat she has been fishing on since she was four years old. Bennett also owned her own boat, the Brande Ray, which she sold a few years back. She has always preferred the role of a striker over that of a captain, despite being capable of driving the boats and performing all necessary tasks. Bennett's brother and children have also been involved in the fishing industry, with her son currently running one of their boats. In addition to her fishing career, Bennett has also worked in various other fields during the off-seasons, including house building, tile work, and cabinetry work.
Scope and Content Note:
This interview with Brande Bennett, conducted on November 12, 2021, in Brunswick, Georgia, provides a detailed account of her life and experiences in the fishing industry. The interview is part of the research project and interview collection titled "Boat Stories." Bennett discusses her generational involvement in the fishing industry, her roles on the boats, and her preference for being a striker rather than a captain. She also talks about her family's involvement in the industry, with her brother and children having worked on the boats. In addition to her experiences in the fishing industry, Bennett also shares her views on work, life, and happiness. She emphasizes the importance of taking pride in one's work, regardless of the nature of the job, and the significance of enjoying what one does rather than doing it for the money. Bennett also shares her belief in maintaining a positive outlook on life, stating that one's attitude can significantly influence their experiences. The interview provides valuable insights into the life and philosophy of a seasoned fisherwoman, contributing to a broader understanding of the fishing industry and the people involved in it.
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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