Grady Sullivan

Location of Interview
Collection Name

Changes in the Florida Keys Marine Ecosystem Based Upon Interviews with Experienced Residents

Description

"Changes in the Florida Keys Marine Ecosystem Based Upon Interviews with Experienced Residents" is a  collection by Karen DeMaria of Summerland Key, FL completed in April 1996. Funded by the Nature Conservancy and the Center for Marine Conservation, the project sought to describe through oral history interviews, environmental changes in the Florida Keys marine ecosystem. 

Interviewer
Transcribers

National Capital Contracting

Audio
Transcript
Biographical Sketch

Grady Sullivan of Big Pine Key, Florida is a seasoned marine life collector and fisherman who has been a full-time resident of the Florida Keys for over two decades. His primary occupation involves collecting marine specimens for various purposes, including wholesale, retail, and for renowned marine life institutions such as SeaWorld and Miami Seaquarium. In addition to this, Sullivan also collects plants, mollusks, and live rocks for aquariums, showcasing a broad understanding and appreciation of marine life. His fishing locations are strategically determined by weather conditions and the specific orders he needs to fulfill. Over the years, Sullivan has adapted his fishing methods to minimize bycatch, transitioning from using a fence net to hand nets. His extensive experience and close interaction with marine life have given him a unique perspective on the changes in fish populations over the years, noting increases in some species and decreases in others.

Scope and Content and Note
The interview conducted by Karen DeMaria with Grady Sullivan provides valuable insights into the changes observed in the marine life fisheries of the Florida Keys over the past two decades. Sullivan discusses the fluctuating sizes and populations of various fish species, attributing some of these changes to commercial fishing and the creation of markets for certain fish. He specifically mentions the increase in the population of jewfish and Nassau groupers, and the decline in sawfish sightings. Additionally, he notes an increase in sea turtle sightings and a general change in water quality. The conversation also delves into fish behavior and environmental changes, with Sullivan highlighting the disappearance of grouper in the Dry Tortugas, fish kills due to toxic spills, and spawning aggregations of mutton snapper and black angelfish. He also discusses the decline in water visibility and the growth of seagrass in the area. DeMaria expresses interest in Sullivan's logbooks for further research, indicating the potential for more detailed studies based on his observations.


Please Note: The oral histories in this collection are protected by copyright and have been created for educational, research and personal use as described by the Fair Use Doctrine in the U.S. Copyright law. Please reach out  Voices@noaa.gov to let us know how these interviews are being used in your research, project, exhibit, etc.  The Voices staff can help provide other useful resources related to your inquiry. 

The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. The Voices Oral History Archives offers public access to a wide range of accounts, including historical materials that are products of their particular times, and may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes.

Voices Oral History Archives does not verify the accuracy of materials submitted to us. The opinions expressed in the interviews are those of the interviewee only. The interviews here have been made available to the public only after the interviewer has confirmed that they have obtained consent.