Elizabeth Pearson Jones talks about her family history and a 1921 hurricane.

In this interview, Sue Turner Maddox talks about family history, not in the fishing industry.  Her husband had a drive-in in Mulberry.  They divorced and she moved to Cortez in 1965.  Maddox had visited with cousins here before.  She worked at Moore Stone crab and Bell fish Company in order to support her kids.  She got involved in fighting drug problems in Cortez and Bradenton in the 70's with some harrowing results.  She still working at Bell's Fish Company.

"When you go into another man's territory you've got to fish like he does. You've got to learn to fish like they fish or you won't catch nothin'. Everybody learns. Every community fishes different."

Vernon Mora discusses family history, fishing in Sarasota Bay.  He fished for A.P. Bell and Fulfords, worked on a dredge for a while, had a shrimp boat for a while.

Raymond Pringle, Jr. discusses family life, fishing with various others, seine and gill netting.  He expresses bitterness about all the regulations imposed on commercial fishing.

This interview with J.B. Crawford was conducted as part of the Cortez Village Voices from the Fisheries Project. This project is a collection of oral histories of Cortez, Florida community members who are involved in maritime activities (such as commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, crew members, and fish house workers) in order to document the changing face of Cortez Village's marine environment.

John Banyas is a fish house owner and fisherman from Cortez, Florida. His grandfather, Neriah Taylor was a boatbuilder in the community. John fishes for mullet and baitfish. He also owns a wholesale/retail seafood shop and restaurant on his property along with a boat haulout facility.

Ronnie Beckham is a third-generation commercial fisherman who now is involved in clam aquaculture. He was born and raised in Cedar Key, Florida, where he worked with his father, who was also a fisherman and used to fish for turtles. Born into a family with a rich legacy in the fishing industry, Beckham's upbringing was steeped in the traditions and practices of fishing that have been passed down through generations.

Karen Bell is a dedicated member of the Cortez fishing community in Florida. Born and raised in Bradenton, she has always had a deep connection to Cortez, spending Sundays at her grandmother's house, where large family gatherings and delicious meals were a regular occurrence. Karen's father and uncles were fishermen, and she grew up surrounded by the sights and sounds of the fishing docks. Karen's father eventually transitioned from fishing to working at the AP Bell fish house in the early 1960s. In 1986, after completing college, Karen moved to Cortez and began working at the fish house.

This interview with Mr. Roy Williams, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council member, was conducted as part of the SERO Fishery Managers Oral History project. This project is a collection of oral histories by individuals who participate in fishery management within the Southeast Region of the U.S. and consists of individuals who serve on the regional councils and their scientific and advisory panels or staff. This interview with Mr.