Chuck Tekula

Location of Interview
Collection Name

Long Island Traditions - Climate Change and Sandy

Description

This project looks at how Superstorm Sandy affected the seafaring community, its residents, and its maritime traditions in Long Island, New York.  The project was funded by NOAA/Preserve American Grant.

Interviewer
Date of Interview
05-31-2016
Transcribers

Fantastic Transcripts
Molly Graham

 

Audio
Transcript
Supplemental Material
Biographical Sketch

"The traditional baymen’s position on the island has been death by a thousand paper cuts, just one law after another law after another law, until, eventually, it’s not that there’s no money to be made out there.  It’s that it’s so much stuff you have to put up with, with all the boat traffic and all the laws and the licenses you have to deal with and law enforcement agencies.  You just don’t see young people getting into it anymore."

Chuck Tekula is a full time bayman who has worked in Great South Bay and Moriches Bay on Long Island's south shore.  In this interview he recalls the changes in the bay he has seen, describes his work on the water as a clammer and gil net fisherman, and changes in the bay since Superstorm Sandy in 2012.


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