Dwight "Wynn" Darwin Gale, Jr.
Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia
The goal of the “Fishing Traditions and Fishing Futures” project is to raise awareness of the experiences of commercial fishermen and their changing livelihoods in Georgia by documenting their local fisheries knowledge and perspectives about the state and fate of Georgia’s commercial fishing industry through the use of oral histories. Capturing the life stories and experiences of Georgia’s commercial fishermen is especially important since many local communities have depended on the coastal environment for their economic and cultural base for generations.
Wynn Gale is a lifelong resident of Darien, Georgia, and a fourth-generation fisherman. He began his career in commercial fishing at the age of twelve. Despite a brief attempt at a career in law enforcement, Gale returned to the fishing industry, following in the footsteps of his family who have only ever worked in fishing. Over the years, Gale has observed a significant decrease in the number of boats fishing in the area. He has also experienced the financial challenges of the industry, having had to sell his shrimp boat due to high dock rent and the lack of a crew. Despite these challenges, Gale expresses a deep love for the peace and freedom that comes with shrimping and cherishes the memories of fishing with his father. He is also passionate about dispelling misconceptions about the environmental impact of fishing, asserting that many species, such as sharks, are actually on the rise.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with Wynn Gale, conducted by Amber Gosser and Savannah Bell on March 24, 2018, provides a detailed account of Gale's life and experiences as a commercial fisherman in Darien, Georgia. Gale discusses his early introduction to fishing, his brief stint as a police officer, and his return to the fishing industry. He provides insight into the daily routine of a fisherman and the changes he has observed in the industry over the years, including the decrease in the number of fishing boats and the financial challenges faced by fishermen. Gale also discusses the impact of societal changes on the fishing community, such as the shift away from fishing to other occupations and the decline in interest in fishing among younger generations. He shares his personal experiences with selling his shrimp boat due to financial constraints and the lack of a crew. Gale also discusses his views on the environmental impact of fishing and his belief that the fishing industry could be revived if the price of shrimp increased. The interview also includes Gale's explanations of various fishing terms and concepts, such as trout lines, jellyballing, working the back of the boat, the Graveyard, and black gill.
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