Gerald William Bosarge
Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster Oral History
NOAA's Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster Oral History documents the experience of people living in Gulf of Mexico oil-spill-affected fishing communities. The oral history data complements other social and economic data about the spill collected by NOAA and other governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations.
Carol Short
Stephanie Scull-DeArmey
Linda VanZandt
Ross Walton
Mr. Gerald William Bosarge was born on November 13, 1934, in Pecan, Mississippi, to Mr. Charles Bosarge and Mrs. Bosarge (born Saksa, in Finland). He is married to Mrs. Harriet Janice Zirlott (born in Coden, Alabama on June 27, 1945). They have two children, Gerald William Bosarge Jr. and Lori Ann Bosarge. At the time of this interview, Mr. Bosarge was retired from commercial fishing, and after forty years of fishing for a living, he currently fishes for fun and sustenance. He is from a multi-generational fishing family, with ancestors who fished on both sides of his family.
Scope and Content Note:
The interview with Gerald William Bosarge, conducted by Barbara Hester, provides a comprehensive account of Bosarge's experiences as a commercial fisherman, particularly in the context of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster and Gulf Coast fisheries. The interview covers Bosarge's personal background, including his birth in Pecan, Mississippi, and his family's involvement in the fishing industry. Bosarge discusses fishing practices, such as oystering and shrimping, detailing the daily routines, fishing locations, and interactions with other fishermen. Additionally, Bosarge shares the impact of significant events, such as Hurricane Katrina and the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, on the fishing community and his personal experiences. The e interview touches on the Vessels of Opportunity program, the response of the fishing community to the oil spill, and the future of commercial fishing, providing insights into the industry's resilience and adaptation to environmental and economic challenges. Overall, the interview offers a rich and detailed account of Bosarge's personal experiences, the impact of environmental disasters on the fishing industry, and the broader dynamics of the Gulf Coast fisheries, making it a valuable resource for understanding the intersection of environmental, economic, and social factors in the region.
Keywords: Oystering, shrimping, Mississippi Sound, regulations, TEDs, deckhands, marketing oysters, conchs, seafood prices, imported shrimp, gillnets, gill-net restrictions, sport fishermen, snapper, fuel costs, meaning of seafood industry to community, Hurricane Katrina, BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, BP Vessels of Opportunity program, effects of oil spill on fisheries, seeding oyster reefs, opinion on future of commercial fishing.
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