George Knight
Dock Stories
The Dock Stories project incorporates oral history research with other research methods in order to address simultaneous issues being experienced by fishing communities in Georgia. The project goals are to improve infrastructure and industry sustainability by identifying improvement opportunities within the constraints of land use, environmental impacts, weather patterns, aging infrastructure, and evolving vessel needs, while also documenting the cultural history of commercial fishing docks in Georgia. An integral part of the project is training student researchers in the Georgia Southern Anthropology program. Under the guidance of Dr. Sweeney Tookes (Georgia Southern University) and Bryan Fluech (University of Georgia Marine Extension & Georgia Sea Grant), students are receiving comprehensive training in conducting interviews, oral histories, and appropriate interview protocols. They then spend several days at a time on the Georgia coast, learning firsthand about the marshes, estuaries, vessels, and communities before commencing lengthy oral history interviews with local experts on the industry. This project began in 2024 and will continue through 2026, coordinated by Graduate Student Project Manager, Kristin Meeuwen.
Lillie Waters
On April 11, 2024, Lillie Waters and Lilah Henderson interviewed George Knight for the Dock Stories Project at the UGA Marine Extension/Georgia Sea Grant in Brunswick, Georgia. George Knight is a long-time commercial fisherman. His grandfather initially worked as a shrimper before transitioning to construction, while his father returned to shrimping full-time in the 1960s. Knight describes how he started working at the docks at the age of nine, heading shrimp and learning the intricacies of the shrimping industry. The interview covers Knight's experiences growing up along the waterfront, where he witnessed significant changes in the fishing industry, particularly the decline of local fish houses and the increasing economic pressures that drove many fishermen out of business. Knight reflects on his transition from commercial fishing to running sportfishing yachts and eventually joining the Union IUOE local 25 Marine Division, where he worked on tugboats until his retirement. Throughout the interview, Knight emphasizes the industry's challenges, including the impact of regulations, the loss of wetlands, pollution, and the economic difficulties that have led to the decline of commercial fishing in the region. He expresses concern for the industry's future, noting the importance of involving younger generations in fishing and making the industry more sustainable. Knight also shares his belief that state-funded assistance could help revitalize the docks and support the local fishing community. Knight's stories highlight the cultural and historical significance of the Brunswick docks, the changes in the industry over the years, and his hopes for its future. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the potential for recovery, driven by the passion and involvement of the youth.
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