John Philip Falterman, Jr.
Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster Oral History
NOAA's Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster Oral History documents the experience of people living in Gulf of Mexico oil-spill-affected fishing communities. The oral history data complements other social and economic data about the spill collected by NOAA and other governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations.
Carol Short
Stephanie Scull-DeArmey
Linda VanZandt
Captain John Philip Falterman Jr. is owner-operator of Therapy Charters LLC, of Slidell, Louisiana, specializing in inland fishing in Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Borgne, and the Biloxi Marsh. Mr. Falterman was born November 25, 1974, in Fairbanks, Alaska, to Mr. John P. Falterman Sr. (born September 29, 1952, in New Orleans, Louisiana) and Mrs. Deborah Bays Falterman (born October 17, 1952, in New Orleans, Louisiana). His father is the owner of Johnny’s Welding Service in Kenner, Louisiana. His father’s parents were Helen Mayer Falterman, from New Orleans, Louisiana, and Arthur Falterman from Napoleonville, Louisiana. His mother is executive assistant for the Frito-Lay Company. His mother’s parents were Gene W. Bays from Summerfield, Louisiana, and Glenda Bordelon Bays from Melville, Louisiana. Captain Falterman attended St. Rita’s Elementary School, St. Matthew’s High School, and Delgado College. He earned a captain’s license from Houston Marine in Kenner, Louisiana. He is the owner of Therapy Charters LLC, located in Slidell, Louisiana. He is a charter captain for inland fishing in Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Borgne, and the Biloxi Marsh. At the time of this interview he was a board member of the Louisiana Coastal Conservation Association, and a St. Tammany Parish Ambassador. From 2010 to 2012 he served as president of the Slidell Chapter of the Louisiana Coastal Conservation Association. On June 6, 1998, Captain Falterman married Kelle O’Berry at St. Matthew’s in River Ridge. They have two children, Jacob Patrick Falterman (born September 18, 2001, in New Orleans, Louisiana) and Kevin Michael Falterman (born on August 23, 2006, in New Orleans, Louisiana). The family owns and operates Therapy Charters LLC, which was established in Slidell, Louisiana. The name was originated by Mrs. Kelle Falterman; by virtue of being a counselor for St. Tammany School of Honey Island, Louisiana, she realizes that fishing is a powerful form of therapy for some illnesses, as well as a way to relax. Captain Falterman enjoys hunting, including deer, ducks, squirrels, and rabbits, as well as camping and traveling and enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends. Captain Falterman invites you to come relax on his charter boat and let him cater to your every need.
Scope and Content Note:
He discusses the following topics: Fly-fishing, Manchac, Louisiana, species of fish in Lake Pontchartrain and environs, regulations, tagging fish, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Coastal Conservation Association, running a charter boat business, baits and lures, typical charter boat trips, navigational equipment and experience, wetlands, marshes, underwater hazards, marketing, Hurricane Katrina, BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, equipment for fishing, testing lures and boats, offshore/inshore waters, Category Zero hurricane standard, changes in fishing over his lifetime, media coverage, spillway openings, lake closings after BP oil disaster, Corexit oil dispersant, Vessels of Opportunity, lost-income claims to BP, habitats for fish, and crawfish.
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