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. She shares vivid memories of her father's stories about fishing during the Great Depression, including the challenges of finding markets for their catch and the struggles of making ends meet. Connie describes the close-knit community of Morehead City and the cultural significance of fishing to her family and the region. Connie provides a historical overview of commercial fishing in coastal North Carolina, tracing its development from colonial times to the present. She discusses the evolution of fishing techniques and gear, including transitioning from manual labor-intensive methods to more modern equipment like the otter trawl, which revolutionized shrimping. Connie also touches on the impact of World War II on the seafood industry, noting how increased affluence and changing social norms made shrimp a popular and profitable commodity. The interview covers various aspects of the fishing industry, including boat building, the economic importance of commercial fishing to the state, and the challenges faced by fishermen today. Connie emphasizes the resilience and adaptability of fishermen, likening them to modern-day cowboys who must be knowledgeable in multiple disciplines to succeed. She expresses pride in North Carolina's fishing heritage and optimism about the future despite the pressures of regulation and competition from imported seafood.