Herbert McIver
Boat Stories
Commercial fishing has deep cultural ties to the Georgia coast, particularly the shrimping industry, which is the state’s largest and most economically valuable fishery. Shrimping has played an integral role in shaping the identities of the commercial fishermen who have spent most of their lives on the water. At the heart of these identities are the fishing boats that have carried captains and their crew for decades.
These vessels have been bought and sold by fishermen up and down the coast for decades, connecting multiple generations of fishing families. They serve as the backbone of Georgia’s shrimping industry and have become iconic symbols for fresh and locally harvested seafood for the millions of residents and tourists who visit the coast.
In 2020-2021, Anthropologists at Georgia Southern University collaborated with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant to record the stories and experiences of local shrimpers and their boats. Funded by Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resource Division through a Coastal Improvement Grant (NOAA #NA20NOS4190175), student researchers learned about commercial fishing as they conducted these oral history interviews. These recordings powerfully preserve the voices and culture of commercial fishing to be shared with current and future generations. This database of knowledge is also available to guide science and regulatory decisions. Get to know Georgia's commercial fishermen by listening to their "Boat Stories"
Yhambria Simmons
Herbert McIver, also known as "Captain Truck," is a seasoned commercial fisherman from McIntosh County, Georgia. His fishing career began at a young age, around eight or nine years old, when he started accompanying his father on fishing trips. Despite initial bouts of seasickness, McIver continued to work with his father every summer, eventually taking on more responsibilities as he grew older. His early fishing experiences were diverse, catching a variety of species including crabs, shrimp, whiting, flounder, and other smaller fish. Over the years, McIver has observed significant changes in the industry, particularly in the types and quantities of by-catch. He has also worked for the University of Georgia Marine Extension, leveraging his extensive experience to understand the intricacies of the fishing industry.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with Herbert McIver, conducted on November 13, 2021, in Darien, Georgia, is part of the research project and interview collection titled "Boat Stories." The interviewers, Yhambria Simmons and Kim Singley, explore McIver's history in the commercial fishing industry, his observations of changes in the industry, and his advice for future fishermen. McIver discusses his early experiences in fishing, starting from when he was a child accompanying his father on fishing trips. He talks about the variety of species they used to catch and the significant changes he has observed in the industry over the years, particularly in the types and quantities of by-catch. He also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the fishing industry, noting the challenges faced by fishermen due to restrictions on movement and the closure of restaurants. He mentions the difficulties in selling their catch and the loss of workers during this period. McIver provides information about the years of construction for two boats, "The Babe" and "Mr. Magoo," and discusses the decline in boat building in St. Augustine due to changes in the industry. Towards the end of the interview, McIver offers advice to future fishermen, emphasizing the importance of being certain about their decision to enter the industry and the need for a backup plan during downtimes. He also discusses the decrease in boat sales and fishing licenses over the years and the impact of these changes on the fishing community.
Project Note
This project is supported under grant award #NA20NOS4190175 to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources from the Office for Coastal Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of DNR, OCM or NOAA.
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