Jake Griffin, 27 years old at the time of the interview, is a North Carolina fisherman specializing in niche fisheries such as shark fishing and the haul seine fishery (a traditional method of fishing from the beach with a skiff and a truck). Located at an ecological boundary, he targets various populations of sharks as they migrate down from the North and up from the South throughout the year. Jake's biggest worry is that public misunderstanding about the shark fishery will lead to management measures that shut him out of the fisheries he has invested in.

Scope and Content Note

In the interview, Jake Griffin discusses his life as a third-generation commercial fisherman in North Carolina, focusing on his involvement in the shark fisheries. He explains how he grew up fishing and decided to pursue it as a full-time career. He describes the diversity of his fishing activities, which include shark fishing, longlining, and gillnet fishing for various species. Jake emphasizes the challenges he faces in finding a market for his shark catch, especially after some fish houses stopped dealing with sharks due to stricter regulations. He shares his efforts to sell his fish locally and establish connections with buyers, but acknowledges the difficulties faced by younger fishermen trying to enter the industry with well-established relationships between dealers and buyers. He also notes the growing importance of consumers wanting to know where their seafood comes from and the story behind it and talks about how some fish dealers are using technology to allow customers to track the source of their fish back to the boat and the location where it was caught. 

Jake advocates for more public education to dispel myths about the shark fishery and promote the sustainable practices employed by U.S. fishermen. He believes that educating the public about the viability of the shark fishery and other fish species would alleviate the stress on other fisheries and encourage more participation. He also notes the need for greater cooperation between fishermen and scientists to ensure the long-term health of fisheries and protect the livelihoods of future generations and suggests that involving fishermen in scientific research and management decisions could bridge the gap and instill more confidence in the industry's future. Jake also discusses the impact of social media on public perceptions of fisheries, stressing the importance of better communication and education to combat negative portrayals. 

Jake participated in North Carolina Sea Grant's Fish Camp and describes the importance of having a proactive attitude towards engaging in fisheries science and management. "It takes an open mind to be able to participate in the fisheries and be able to see a future for the fisheries," he says. "I do have a different mindset where a lot of people just want to fight. 'Don’t let them. They’re going to take this from us. They’re going to take that from us. They’re going take this. Don’t back down an inch.' But, you know, you see those same people hitting a brick wall. They fight and they just ram that brick wall as hard as they can go. I’m in that crowd because I want it to keep going. But I also see the end of the wall. You can go around that wall. Work with science."