John Wallace
Dock Stories
The Dock Stories project incorporates oral history research with other research methods in order to address simultaneous issues being experienced by fishing communities in Georgia. The project goals are to improve infrastructure and industry sustainability by identifying improvement opportunities within the constraints of land use, environmental impacts, weather patterns, aging infrastructure, and evolving vessel needs, while also documenting the cultural history of commercial fishing docks in Georgia. An integral part of the project is training student researchers in the Georgia Southern Anthropology program. Under the guidance of Dr. Sweeney Tookes (Georgia Southern University) and Bryan Fluech (University of Georgia Marine Extension & Georgia Sea Grant), students are receiving comprehensive training in conducting interviews, oral histories, and appropriate interview protocols. They then spend several days at a time on the Georgia coast, learning firsthand about the marshes, estuaries, vessels, and communities before commencing lengthy oral history interviews with local experts on the industry. This project began in 2024 and will continue through 2026, coordinated by Graduate Student Project Manager, Kristin Meeuwen.
Kristin Meeuwen
On February 27, 2025, Logan Collins and Blake Pavri interviewed John Wallace in McIntosh County, Georgia, for the Dock Stories oral history project. John Wallace is a third-generation fisherman who began working in the local seafood industry in the early 1970s. After graduating from high school, he crabbed for several years before joining his father’s shrimping business and eventually building and captaining his boat, the Gale Force. Wallace went on to lease and operate numerous docks throughout McIntosh County and served as president of the Georgia Shrimp Association. He is now semi-retired and oversees a shrimp processing facility and unloading dock, which he operates with his son.
In the interview, Wallace discusses his long career in shrimping, detailing the docks he has worked at and the evolving conditions of the industry. He explains the changes in dock operations, the shift from price-based to production-based profitability, and the increasing difficulty of sustaining a career in commercial shrimping due to imported farm-raised shrimp and rising equipment costs. He reflects on past dock communities and the camaraderie among captains, while noting the generational decline in industry participation. Wallace shares the history and logistical operations of his current dock, including investments in infrastructure and equipment, and offers insight into industry superstitions and memorable experiences. He emphasizes the importance of developing niche markets, such as Wild Georgia Shrimp, to support the local shrimp fishing economy. He discusses the challenges of attracting younger workers, the financial constraints facing dock owners, and the uncertainty surrounding the future of commercial shrimping in coastal Georgia.
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