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

Dave Zalewski is an experienced charter boat captain  from Madeira Beach. With over 35 years of expertise, he specializes in offshore fishing along Florida's coast. 

Scope and Content Note

 Michael Jepson Madeira Beach, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Don Jones A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Don Jones is a commercial fisherman who grew up in the Boca Grande North area and has spent most of his life in the fishing business. He has witnessed red tide occurrences throughout the years, but they were typically short-lived, lasting a couple of weeks to a month. However, in recent times, particularly during the last year, he experienced a severe and prolonged red tide event that lasted year-round and significantly impacting his fishing business.

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Fort Myers, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Ed Hurst A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Captain Ed Hurst specializes in fly fishing and light tackle backwater fishing for snook, redfish, trout and tarpon. He has lived in Sarasota since 1956 and I has been guiding for over 30 years. 

Scope and Content Note

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

Eddie Barnhill is a third-generation fisherman and the owner of Barnhill Fisheries. He has a deep passion for fishing and is committed to preserving historical knowledge and protecting the fishing industry's future. Eddie is concerned about the challenges posed by factors like overfishing, water quality issues, and climate change, and advocates for proper management and conservation efforts to ensure a sustainable future for the fishing community and marine ecosystems.

Scope and Content Note

 Suzana Blake Fort Myers Beach, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Ellis Dosher and Robert Bullard A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Robert Bullard and Ellis Dosher are both fishers from Florida. Born and raised on the east coast of Florida.

Scope and Content Note

Bullard and Dosher describe learning to fish at a very young age, continuing through their teens, and eventually starting their own gag grouper fishing business. They also refer to the fishing gear they use, fishing grounds, vessels, and the fishing community in eastern Florida.

 Michael Jepson Steinhatchee, 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
Greg Abrams A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Greg Abrams is a commercial fisherman, and owns a seafood business in Panama City. Abrams discusses mostly the changes in fisheries regulations through his time as a fisherman. 

Scope and Content Note

 Suzana Blake Panama City, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Henry R. Blakely A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Henry Blakely is an experienced fisherman based in Fort Myers Beach, with a focus on stone crabbing and kingfish fishing. Throughout his life, he has witnessed and dealt with the impact of red tide occurrences on fishing activities in the region.

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Fort Myers, 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
Jack Hale A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Jack Hale is a seasoned fisherman hailing from Naples with over 30 years of experience in stone crab fishing. Throughout his career, he witnessed the decline of stone crabs and the detrimental impact of red tide events on marine life.

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Naples, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
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