Joe Croke

Location of Interview
Collection Name

A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Description

This collection was created during the 2017-2018 red tide event that had major ecosystem impacts on the west coast of Florida. Fish harvesters and related businesses suffered major setbacks during this time. Fishers, with a long history on the water and oftentimes second or third generation involved in the fishing business, reminisce about how the ecosystem has changed during their and their families time and the red tides they have witnessed. The collection provides information on species affected, specific areas affected, as well as discussions related to adaptation behaviors and specific business impacts.

Interviewer
Date of Interview
05-21-2019
Transcribers

Transcription Hub

Principal Investigator
Audio
Transcript
Biographical Sketch

Joe Croke is a recent commercial fisherman, who started fishing in the Cortez area in 2008.

Scope and Content Note

Joe Croke describes one Red Tide event in 2018, where he illustrates the area and species affected. Joe recalls that in the past, it was limited to small occurrences that lasted for a day or two along the beach. However, in the last year, he witnessed a significant change. Joe indicates that the impact stretched from Cortez to St. Pete Beach, affecting the bay and extending to about 60 feet of water depth. He noted that the red tide also reached the mouth of the Manatee River, but heavy rain prevented it from spreading further. Joe mentions that it lasted for most of the year in 2018 and severely impacted fishing, making it nearly non-existent within the affected areas. Grouper, snapper, and other fish species disappeared, leaving nothing but dead floating fish. The stone crab industry, in which Joe is involved, was particularly affected, with a 95% decrease in catch. Joe says that he had to go farther out, beyond 20 miles, to find any fish, and buy more stone crabs to compensate for the loss. 


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