Interview with Albert Potts, Director of Onslow County Museum

Matthew Barr interviewed Angie Lester for the Wild Caught project. Angie Lester, a resident of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, grew up in a family deeply involved in the local fishing industry.  In the interview, Angie discusses her childhood in Sneads Ferry, where she and her siblings engaged in various fishing-related activities to earn money, such as clamming and heading shrimp. Her uncle owned a fish house, which was a central part of their lives. Angie emphasizes the unique, laid-back lifestyle of the area, which she believes is ideal for raising children.

B.J. Copeland holds a Ph.D. in limnology from Oklahoma State University. His academic career began with research on the impact of petroleum waste on Texas bays while at the University of Texas. In 1970, he moved to North Carolina and continued his work in marine sciences. He served as the director of the Sea Grant program for over 23 years, where he focused on the needs of coastal communities and the dissemination of research to address those needs. His role involved extensive travel to small fishing towns to understand local issues and provide necessary information and support. 

Matthew Barr interviewed Bernice Guthrie for the Wild Caught project. Bernice Guthrie, a long-time resident of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, has been deeply involved in the community and its events, particularly the Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival. In the interview, Guthrie provides a detailed account of her daily preparations for the Shrimp Festival, including publicizing the event, organizing media coverage, and coordinating various logistical aspects. She describes the Shrimp Festival's origins, which began in 1971, and its evolution over the years.

Matthew Barr's interview with Betty Edens, conducted in 2001, provides an in-depth look at her life and experiences in the fishing industry. Betty Edens was born in Key West and grew up in Marathon, Florida. Her family was deeply involved in the fishing and shrimping industries.  Her father was considered a pioneer in the early days of shrimping in the area. The interview covers various aspects of Betty Edens' life, starting with her childhood in Marathon and the tight-knit community of fishermen and their families.

Matthew Barr interviewed Betty Edens in 2003. Betty Edens was born into a fishing family in Key West, Florida, and her family’s legacy in the fishing industry spans generations. Betty Edens discusses the significant transformation in the fishing industry, particularly the encroachment of real estate development on waterfront areas traditionally used for fishing operations. She expresses her concern over the environmental degradation caused by such developments and the loss of vital fish house areas, which she describes as essential for their way of life.

Buddy Davis has spent his life in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, where his family has deep roots in the fishing industry. His father and grandfather, originally from Davis Shores, were also fishermen. Davis began accompanying his father on fishing trips at a young age, around six or seven years old, and by the age of fifteen or sixteen, he started running the boat himself. His three sons and one daughter have also been involved in the fishing business, with his sons participating in shrimping and his daughter marrying a fisherman. 

Matthew Barr interviewed Clara and Luther Norris for the Wild Caught Oral History Project. Clara and Luther Norris are long-time residents of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, deeply connected to the local fishing community through family traditions and personal experiences. The interview begins with Clara discussing her upbringing in Sneads Ferry, where her father was a commercial fisherman. She reminisces about simpler times when there were fewer regulations on fishing and recalls going clamming and oystering with her family.

Matthew Barr interviewed Connie Mason for the Wild Caught project. Connie Mason, who grew up in Morehead City, North Carolina, is the daughter of a commercial fisherman from Stacy, North Carolina. Her father began working on the water with his family at a young age, engaging in various maritime activities to make a living. In this interview, Connie reflects on her childhood experiences in a fishing family, highlighting the contrast between her father's life on the water and his later work in accounting.

Matthew Barr interviewed Crystal Edens for the "Wild Caught" project. Edens grew up in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, in a fishing family. From a young age, she was involved in various fishing activities, including shrimping, clamming, and working on boats. Edens is pursuing an associate degree in arts and plans to study anthropology at a university in North Carolina, such as UNC Wilmington or East Carolina University. Edens shares her experiences and challenges growing up in a fishing family.