Holly Boone
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.
Kristin Meeuwen
On April 13, 2024, Kristin Meeuwen, Lillie Waters, and Blake Pavri interviewed Holly Boone for the Dock Stories project at Boone’s Seafood in Darien, Georgia. Holly Boone, who married into the Boone family 25 years ago, has lived her entire life in the area. She married a fisherman and eventually took on responsibilities at Boone’s Seafood, a multi-generational family-owned dock that has been operational for over 60 years. The interview provides a detailed account of Boone’s experiences managing the dock, including her transition from occasional help to a central role in its operations. She describes the dock’s history, noting its importance as a safe and reliable place for fishermen and the evolution of its infrastructure, such as the addition of ice machines that have become crucial for the business. Boone also discusses the challenges faced by the dock over the years, including the closure of a nearby railway and ice supplier, which significantly impacted local fishing operations. Boone reflects on the generational shifts within the family, highlighting the involvement of her husband Greg and their son Michael, who is now a captain of his own boat, continuing the family’s fishing legacy. The interview also touches on the close-knit, community-driven nature of the dock, where decisions about operations and dock access are made collectively by family members. Throughout the conversation, Boone offers insights into the day-to-day challenges of running the dock, including dealing with the unpredictability of the fishing business, managing personnel, and adapting to changes in the industry.
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