Greg Abrams
A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida
This collection was created during the 2017-2018 red tide event that had major ecosystem impacts on the west coast of Florida. Fish harvesters and related businesses suffered major setbacks during this time. Fishers, with a long history on the water and oftentimes second or third generation involved in the fishing business, reminisce about how the ecosystem has changed during their and their families time and the red tides they have witnessed. The collection provides information on species affected, specific areas affected, as well as discussions related to adaptation behaviors and specific business impacts.
Greg Abrams is a commercial fisherman, and owns a seafood business in Panama City. Abrams discusses mostly the changes in fisheries regulations through his time as a fisherman.
Scope and Content Note
Greg Abrams touches upon various topics, including how he entered the fishing business, his family's involvement, and changes in regulations and fishing conditions over the years. Abrams discusses the decline in the number of boats and fish houses due to the changing rules and regulations. He expresses his frustration with the government's restrictions on fishing areas, such as the closure of certain regions and limitations on fishing methods. Abrams also mentions the decline in tuna permits and the impact of regulations on commercial fishermen compared to recreational fishermen. He emphasizes the importance of the fishing industry and the challenges faced by those involved. Abrams also mentions his sons' involvement in the business and their dedication to carrying it forward.
He goes on to mention that he pays a quarterly fee to national fisheries, typically around $35,000 to $40,000 per boat. Abrams talks about his involvement in the freight industry and how he started hauling other people's freight to generate more consistent income. He also mentions his trips to New York, Philadelphia, and Maryland to pick up seafood for cross-docking. Abrams talks about additional government regulations, such as the use of soft hooks and size restrictions on swordfish, which affect the market demand. He discusses the challenges of handling large fish like swordfish and the changes in swordfishing over the years. Abrams mentions the recruitment of red grouper and black grouper in Panama City and the good condition of the fishery there. The interview touches on the fishing methods used in the past, such as pole fishing and longlining, and the changes in technology and preferences for faster boats. Abrams also discusses the need for better management. He mentions the role of council meetings and expresses dissatisfaction with the current state of the council. He expresses regret about the uncertainty and political nature of the council decisions, which have affected the livelihood of fishermen.
He emphasizes that the resources belong to everyone and that the industry contributes to the economy, benefiting various sectors and discusses the need for fishermen to come together and address the issues they face, particularly regarding natural resource disasters. He emphasizes the importance of fixing the council and believes that it would benefit the entire fishery, both recreational and commercial. Abrams mentions the influence of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) and their control over the council, which he believes is driven by personal gain rather than conservation.
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