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 Collection Sort ascending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Marcus McCall Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Marcus McCall is a commercial fisherman whose family lineage has deep roots in the fishing industry of Brunswick, Georgia. His personal narrative is interwoven with the historical fabric of the local fishing community, which has experienced a significant decline over the years. McCall's life on the water is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who have made their livelihood from the sea. He embodies the traditional values of freedom and independence often associated with the profession.

Erin Scooler, Scott Clark Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Tommy Brown Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Interview with Tommy Brown. 

Savannah Bell, Amber Gosser Valona, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University
Gibb Walker Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Gibb Walker, a native of Sapelo Island, Georgia, has been a part of the shrimping industry from a young age. Born on Sapelo Island, he moved to Brunswick in 1955 due to a lack of job opportunities in his hometown. His passion for shrimping was ignited by his uncle when he was around fifteen or sixteen years old, and his father was also a shrimper. At the age of twenty, he started running a boat in 1961 and continued shrimping until 2000 or 2003. Walker was one of the few Black captains in Brunswick, a position he held from around 1982 or 1985.

Ahmauri Williams-Alford, Nompumelelo Hlophe Brunswick, 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
Marie & Thurmond Kern Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Thurmond and Marie Kern are a couple deeply rooted in the commercial fishing industry, with a particular focus on shrimping. Thurmond hails from a family with a longstanding tradition in the industry, indicating a generational involvement that has shaped his life and career. His experiences are marked by a profound understanding of the challenges and transformations within the commercial fishing sector. Marie, alongside Thurmond, has been an integral part of the fishing community, contributing her perspective and witnessing the evolution of the industry over the years.

Angelique Jennings, Scott Clark Brunswick, 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
Charlie Phillips Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Charles Phillips, a native of Jesup, Georgia, spent his early years engaged in farming activities such as baling hay and picking tobacco. However, his life took a significant turn when his family moved to the coast around his seventh grade. Here, he developed a deep connection with the water, spending most of his time exploring the marshes and rivers, and visiting friends via his 14-foot aluminum skiff. His father, after a brief stint in shrimping, decided to invest in a shrimp boat, marking the beginning of the family's foray into the seafood industry.

Jennifer Sweeney Tookes, Danielle Sayre Townsend, 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
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
Andrew Ross Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia

Andrew Ross is a seasoned commercial fisherman based in Georgia, with a rich family history in the fishing industry. His journey into fishing began at the age of five when his father would take him out on the boat, tying a rope around him to prevent him from falling overboard. Ross took over the family business at the age of twenty when his father retired. His family's involvement in the fishing industry extends beyond his immediate family, with his grandfather having been in the shipping business, entertaining captains of big boats and cooking for them.

Danielle Sayre , Erin Scooler Brunswick, GA UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Georgia Southern University