In Their Own Words | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

In Their Own Words

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Michael Jepson
  • Series of interviews conducted for the documentary In Their Own Words: Perseverance and Resilience in Two Florida Fishing Communities. 

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Karen Bell In Their Own Words

Karen Bell is owner of Star Fish which is a seafood retail/restaurant in Cortez, FL. She is also manager of AP Bell Fish House in Cortez. Karen's family have a long history of commercial fishing in the community. This is the first of two interviews conducted with Karen.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Humanities Council
John Banyas In Their Own Words

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 haulout facility.

Michael Jepson Cortez, FL Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Humanities Council
Ronnie Beckham In Their Own Words

Ronnie is a former gill net 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.

Michael Jepson Cedar Key, FL Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez, Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage, Florida Humanities Council