Scott Childress was born and raised in Tampa and started fishing at age fifteen, and as an adult got into recreational, then commercial spearfishing out of New Port Richey and, on occasion, Steinhatchee. His inshore fishery is Cedar Key to Tarpon Springs.

Scope and Content Note

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.

Commonly known as "Blue", Thomas Fulford talks about his fishing with "Tink" Fulford, fishing on the Anna Dean, growing up in Cortez, 'Hogging' stop netting, feud with gill netters, union formation attempts, net care and conflict with sport fishermen.

On December 9, 1993, Michael Jepson interviewed several speakers as part of the Vanishing Culture Project. The interview took place in Cortez, Florida, and covers topics related to the island's history, culture, and environment. One of the narrators provides background information about Tidy Island and discusses the two marked Indian burial grounds from the Aboriginal period and the museum's dedication to both Indigenous culture and the original white settlers on the island.

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.

This interview with Walter Bell, the son of A P Bell, covers his family and growing up in Cortez.  Some info about the Manatee River Fish Co. a precurser to A P Bell Fish Company and relations with other fishermen.

Wanda Fulford was born on March 23, 1933, in Cortez, Florida, to Elizabeth and James Jones.  James was a commercial fisherman.  The family moved to Englewood then to Stump Pass for a while so her father could fish for Mullet.  Her mother returned to Cortez with the family shortly, leaving James in Stump Pass.  Wanda had a sister and two brothers.  She left school with a year and a half to go to work.  Wanda worked at various jobs.

Will Ward is a seasoned fisherman and marine industry expert with over five decades of experience in Florida's coastal waters. From his early years working on boats as a teenager to becoming a licensed US Coast Guard Captain and running fishing charters, commercial boats, and seafood companies, Will has honed his expertise across various fisheries. He is a Florida native, with a family history spanning five generations in the state.

Scope and Content Note

This interview with William "Corky" Perret, 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.