Captain Jack Burleson, known as "Capt. Jack," was born in 1922.  He was drafted from the Coast Guard into the Army during World War II.  After the war, he held various roles, including a dive instructor in Marathon, guiding divers in the Florida Keys, and a versatile handyman, carpenter, taxi driver, and dog trainer. Jack was also an artist and painted with acrylics on unconventional canvases like sea beans and driftwood.

Scope and Content Note
This interview, conducted by Karen DeMaria, primarily focuses on the observations and experiences of Jack Burleson and Fernand Braun regarding the changes in marine life and pollution in their local environment. The conversation begins with DeMaria asking Burleson about the frequency of various types of garbage he encounters on the reef or shore, including paper products, plastics, bottles, cans, and monofilament. Burleson shares his observations, noting an increase in buoys and ropes, possibly due to an increase in traps. The interview then shifts to a discussion about various marine species, with DeMaria prompting Burleson to share any notable observations or stories. However, Burleson admits his inability to identify specific sponges, leading to a broader discussion about the purpose of the species list provided by DeMaria. In the second part of the interview, Fernand Braun discusses his observations on the decline of the mullet population, attributing it to overfishing and the use of nets. He expresses his concern about the impact of sport fishing on the mullet population, noting that many of the fish caught for bait do not survive. Braun advocates for more sustainable fishing practices and the prohibition of nets to allow the mullet population to recover. The interview concludes with Braun expressing his desire to see the mullet population return to its previous abundance.