Curtis Carter
Boat Stories
Commercial fishing has deep cultural ties to the Georgia coast, particularly the shrimping industry, which is the state’s largest and most economically valuable fishery. Shrimping has played an integral role in shaping the identities of the commercial fishermen who have spent most of their lives on the water. At the heart of these identities are the fishing boats that have carried captains and their crew for decades.
These vessels have been bought and sold by fishermen up and down the coast for decades, connecting multiple generations of fishing families. They serve as the backbone of Georgia’s shrimping industry and have become iconic symbols for fresh and locally harvested seafood for the millions of residents and tourists who visit the coast.
In 2020-2021, Anthropologists at Georgia Southern University collaborated with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant to record the stories and experiences of local shrimpers and their boats. Funded by Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resource Division through a Coastal Improvement Grant (NOAA #NA20NOS4190175), student researchers learned about commercial fishing as they conducted these oral history interviews. These recordings powerfully preserve the voices and culture of commercial fishing to be shared with current and future generations. This database of knowledge is also available to guide science and regulatory decisions. Get to know Georgia's commercial fishermen by listening to their "Boat Stories"
Jamekia Collins
Curtis Carter is a seasoned shrimper from Darien, Georgia, who has been in the shrimping industry since the age of sixteen. Despite not having completed his education, Carter was able to support his family through his work in shrimping. His first boat was the "Night Train," which he owned and operated for about four years. He later worked on several other boats, including the Pay Tot and the El Mar in Key West, Florida, and the Shrimp Chaser, a giant herring boat. Despite his small stature, Carter was well-respected in the industry and was known for his hard work and dedication. Now at the age of 75, Carter continues to work in the shrimping industry, currently operating the Miss Pollyanna.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with Curtis Carter, conducted by Amber Chulawat and Jamekia Collins on January 29, 2022, provides an in-depth look into Carter's long career in the shrimping industry. Carter discusses his early start in the industry, his experiences working on various boats, and the changes he has observed in the industry over the years. He shares stories about his favorite boat, the Night Train, and his current boat, the Miss Pollyanna. Carter also talks about the challenges he faced as a young shrimper and the respect he earned in the industry despite his small stature. The interview concludes with a brief discussion about a dangerous incident Carter experienced on a freezer boat.
Project Note
This project is supported under grant award #NA20NOS4190175 to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources from the Office for Coastal Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of DNR, OCM or NOAA.
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