Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Jennifer Sweeney Tookes, Bryan Fluech
  • The goal of the “Fishing Traditions and Fishing Futures” project is to raise awareness of the experiences of commercial fishermen and their changing livelihoods in Georgia by documenting their local fisheries knowledge   and perspectives about the state and fate of Georgia’s commercial fishing industry through the use of oral  histories. Capturing the life stories and experiences of Georgia’s commercial fishermen is especially important since many local communities have depended on the coastal environment for their economic and cultural base  for generations.

Interviewee Sort descending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Hughey Dean Bryant Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Hughey Dean Bryant is a seasoned commercial fisherman who hails from the coast of North Carolina. His journey in the fishing industry began under the tutelage of his father, from whom he learned the intricacies of the trade. His expertise spans across various aspects of the industry, including shrimping, crabbing, scalloping, and flounder fishing. Over the years, Bryant has expanded his fishing operations to Florida and Georgia, where he continues to contribute significantly to the industry.

Amber Gosser, Savannah Bell Darien, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
James Martin Higgins Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Marty Higgins is a native of Brunswick, a town with a rich heritage in the shrimping industry, which he entered following a long-standing family tradition. Growing up, Higgins was ingrained with the values and skills of shrimping by his father and grandfather, both seasoned practitioners of the trade. This early exposure to the industry not only equipped him with the necessary expertise but also instilled in him a profound appreciation for the lifestyle that comes with being on the water.

Amber Gosser, Savannah Bell Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
John Tyre Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

John Tyre, a native of Brunswick, Georgia, has woven the fabric of his life with threads of maritime tradition and public service. Beginning his foray into the world of fishing at the age of ten, Tyre was introduced to the craft by his father and brother, who were his early mentors in the art of angling and shrimping. These formative years on the water ingrained in him a diverse array of fishing skills and techniques that he would carry throughout his life.

Julia Thomas, Victoria Barrett Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Johnny Bennett Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Johnny Bennett is a seasoned commercial fisherman hailing from Brunswick, Georgia, who has witnessed firsthand the downturn of the local fishing industry. With years of experience on the waters, Bennett has seen the effects of environmental changes and regulatory decisions on his livelihood. The closure of the sound, a critical event in the area's ecological and economic landscape, has been a significant factor in the decline of shrimp and crab populations, which are central to Bennett's trade.

Victoria Barrett, Julia Thomas Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Jonathan Bennett Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Jonathan Bennett is a fifth-generation commercial fisherman from Brantley County in Waynesville, Georgia. Born into a family deeply involved in the shrimping industry, Bennett has been on a boat since he was three years old. His grandfather, who owned his own boats, introduced him to the fishing life, which he describes as a rough and labor-intensive one. Despite the challenges, Bennett took over his own boat at the age of twenty, a decision driven by opportunity and the need to support his family financially.

Victoria Barrett, Julia Thomas Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Joseph Michael Rauls Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Joseph Michael Rauls is a seasoned veteran of the shrimping industry hailing from the coastal state of Georgia. Born into a family with deep ties to the sea, Rauls' upbringing was steeped in the traditions and hard work associated with shrimping. His life story is a rich tapestry that weaves together the threads of familial legacy, personal passion, and the relentless pursuit of a livelihood amidst the waves. Rauls' narrative is not just a personal chronicle but also a reflection of the broader cultural and economic fabric of the Georgian shrimping community.

Kendra Cooper, Alexis McGhee Darien, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Kathi Harrington and Richard Puterbaugh Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Kathi Harrington is a resident of Brunswick, Georgia. She is married to Richard Puterbaugh, a seasoned shrimper. Kathi is a supportive partner and a mother, often sharing her experiences and perspectives on the impacts of the shrimping industry on their family life. She provides valuable insights into the social and emotional aspects of the fishing community, including the challenges faced by their daughter, Savannah, due to the misconceptions about the shrimping industry.

Kendra Cooper, Alexis McGhee Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
LC Scott Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

LC Scott is a seasoned fisherman from Georgia, with a wealth of experience and stories to share about his life and career in the fishing industry. He grew up in a community known as Briar Patches, located about 10 miles from Darien, Georgia. Scott's experience in the fishing industry is extensive, having worked in various roles on fishing boats. He learned the ropes from the ground up, starting with tasks such as checking the oil and clutch, filling the radiator with water, and removing the lines before the boat could set off.

Angelique Jennings, Scott Clark Darien, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Leon Skipper Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Leon Skipper is a seasoned commercial fisherman from McIntosh County, Georgia, with over fifty years of experience in the shrimping industry. Born and raised in Bolin, Georgia, Skipper moved to Meridian later in life. His passion for shrimping was ignited during his childhood when he would accompany his father on fishing trips during weekends and school holidays. Skipper's career in shrimping has taken him from North Carolina to the Gulf Coast, Texas, Campeche Mexico, and back up to Tampa, Florida.

Victoria Barrett, Julia Thomas Darien, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Leonard W. Crosby Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Leonard Crosby, a native of Savannah, Georgia, has a rich history deeply intertwined with the local fishing industry. His formative years were spent engaging with the natural waterways of his hometown, where he developed a passion for catfishing and mullet jumping. This early exposure to aquatic life led him to pursue a career closely connected to the water. Initially, Crosby found employment with the railroad, a job that, while not directly related to fishing, kept him in proximity to the coastal environment he cherished.

Jennifer Sweeney Tookes, Danielle Sayre Richmond Hill, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University