John Banyas is a fish house owner and fisherman from Cortez, Florida. His grandfather, Neriah Taylor, was a boatbuilder in the community. John fishes for mullet and baitfish. He also owns a wholesale/retail seafood shop and restaurant on his property, along with a boat haul-out facility.  Banyas began fishing with his grandfather around the age of ten or twelve, starting with repairing cast-off nets and progressing to fishing full-time after high school. His primary fishing activities included mullet fishing, as well as catching mackerel, pompano, and trout.

Karen Bell is a dedicated member of the Cortez fishing community in Florida. Born and raised in Bradenton, she has always had a deep connection to Cortez, spending Sundays at her grandmother's house, where large family gatherings and delicious meals were a regular occurrence. Karen's father and uncles were fishermen, and she grew up surrounded by the sights and sounds of the fishing docks. Karen's father eventually transitioned from fishing to working at the AP Bell fish house in the early 1960s. In 1986, after completing college, Karen moved to Cortez and began working at the fish house.

Ronnie Beckham is a third-generation commercial fisherman who now is involved in clam aquaculture. He was born and raised in Cedar Key, Florida, where he worked with his father, who was also a fisherman and used to fish for turtles. Born into a family with a rich legacy in the fishing industry, Beckham's upbringing was steeped in the traditions and practices of fishing that have been passed down through generations.