A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Matthew McPherson, Mandy Karnauskas, Suzana Blake

  • This collection was created during the 2017-2018 red tide event that had major ecosystem impacts on the west coast of Florida. Fish harvesters and related businesses suffered major setbacks during this time. Fishers, with a long history on the water and oftentimes second or third generation involved in the fishing business, reminisce about how the ecosystem has changed during their and their families time and the red tides they have witnessed. The collection provides information on species affected, specific areas affected, as well as discussions related to adaptation behaviors and specific business impacts.

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Interviewee Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Richard Wahrenberger A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Richard Wahrenberger is the owner of City Seafood, a restaurant and seafood market in Everglades City. The only Red Tide event he has personally noticed was when he lived in Madeira Beach, some 50 years ago. He generally believes that Red Tide doesn't occur near Everglades City.

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Everglades City, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
George "Bem" Storter A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

George "Bem" Storter is a Naples native and is 83 years old at the time of this interview. He hasn’t been out on the water in around 20 years (since the net ban) but he is known throughout Naples as being a wealth of information. He commercial fished before the net ban and has been recreationally fishing since then. 

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Naples, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
William Thompson A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Captain Will Thompson is a seasoned fisherman with over 25 years of experience fishing in the Sarasota area. For the past 15 years, he has been actively involved in the charter business, specializing in offshore and near shore fishing with extensive knowledge of targeting species like snapper, grouper, kingfish, goliath grouper, sharps, and cobia.

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz, Karla Gore Sarasota, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Sandy Melvin A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Captain Sandy Melvin is a seasoned fishing guide with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He specializes in guiding fishing trips for snook, redfish, speckled trout, and tarpon in the backcountry and shallow waters of the Boca Grande area. Sandy also co-owns Gaspar Outfitters, a retail store with a focus on resort wear and outdoor clothing, alongside his wife.

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Boca Grande, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Rodney Raffield A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Rodney Raffield is a former stone crab fisherman and seasoned fishing guide with a 12-year charter fishing career. He comes from a family background in the stone crab industry and has extensive experience navigating the waters around Lostmans River and Cape Sable. Rodney has witnessed sporadic red tide events throughout his fishing history and offers valuable insights into their impact on marine life.

Scope and Content Note

 Suzana Blake Everglades City, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Tom Marvel A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Tom Marvel is a grouper fisher who has lived in Naples since 1969. 

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Naples, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Paul Reeves A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Paul Reeves, is a red grouper commercial fisherman from Steinhatchee, Florida.

Scope and Content Note

 Michael Jepson Steinhatchee, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Slyvester Dixon A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Sylvester Dixon became a charter fishing guide after the 1990s net ban, previously he was a commercial fisherman. From a young age, he honed his skills and knowledge of fishing, eventually becoming a guide fisherman with over 20 years of experience. 

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Boca Grande, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Howard Grimm A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Howard Grimm is the mayor of Everglades City. He has ample experience on the water as commercial and recreational fisherman, and he's also involved in the seafood industry. Traditionally, Red Tide events do not affect the Everglades City area, however Grimm recalls one event in the early 80's which occurred offshore. It was the worst one he personally experienced. 

Scope and Content Note

 Michael Jepson, Suzana Blake Everglades City, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Kenyon Ghandi A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Kenyon Ghandi is old-time Florida fisherman. He began fishing in 1948, and has been a commercial fisherman and owns a seafood market. Gandy narrates the evolution of the fishery in Panama City and gives insight on the history of the area. 

Scope and Content Note

 Matt McPherson Panama City, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
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