Marty Higgins is a native of Brunswick, a town with a rich heritage in the shrimping industry, which he entered following a long-standing family tradition. Growing up, Higgins was ingrained with the values and skills of shrimping by his father and grandfather, both seasoned practitioners of the trade. This early exposure to the industry not only equipped him with the necessary expertise but also instilled in him a profound appreciation for the lifestyle that comes with being on the water. Despite the joy and fulfillment he finds in shrimping, Higgins is acutely aware of the industry's fluctuating fortunes and the increasing challenges that come with making a sustainable living from the sea. His personal narrative is one that reflects a broader story of change and adaptation within the fishing community of Brunswick, as well as the struggle to maintain a cultural legacy in the face of modern economic and environmental pressures. Higgins' life story is emblematic of the generational fishermen who have witnessed the transformation of their livelihoods over the decades. He has seen firsthand the decline of the fishing industry in his community. He has considered various strategies to revitalize it, including the proposal to reopen certain fishing areas and the diversification of fishing practices. Despite the challenges, Higgins holds onto the cherished memories of shrimping alongside his father and grandfather, which serve as a poignant reminder of the industry's historical significance in the area. 

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Marty Higgins offers a detailed account of his personal journey and professional observations within the shrimping industry of Brunswick, Florida. Higgins shares his experiences, reflecting on the industry's past, its current state, and its aspirations for its future. He provides insight into the technical aspects of shrimping, including the adoption of new fishing techniques that he and his father observed and learned from a trip to Texas, which they later helped to introduce on the East Coast with the assistance of the University of Georgia. This innovation aimed to increase efficiency and reduce fuel consumption by achieving a wider spread of the nets with the same amount of power. Higgins also discusses the broader implications of regulatory changes on the fishing community, touching upon the cessation of certain fishing practices and the government's role in these shifts. He expresses a desire for a more stable and less burdensome future for commercial fishermen, where the constant worry of losing one's boat or home is alleviated and making a decent living is not as fraught with difficulty. The interview captures Higgins' hope that the next generation of fishermen will experience improvements that allow for a sustainable and less stressful livelihood. His narrative is a testament to the resilience of the fishing community in Brunswick and their ongoing efforts to adapt to the changing landscape of the industry.