Johnny Bennett
Boat Stories
Commercial fishing has deep cultural ties to the Georgia coast, particularly the shrimping industry, which is the state’s largest and most economically valuable fishery. Shrimping has played an integral role in shaping the identities of the commercial fishermen who have spent most of their lives on the water. At the heart of these identities are the fishing boats that have carried captains and their crew for decades.
These vessels have been bought and sold by fishermen up and down the coast for decades, connecting multiple generations of fishing families. They serve as the backbone of Georgia’s shrimping industry and have become iconic symbols for fresh and locally harvested seafood for the millions of residents and tourists who visit the coast.
In 2020-2021, Anthropologists at Georgia Southern University collaborated with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant to record the stories and experiences of local shrimpers and their boats. Funded by Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resource Division through a Coastal Improvement Grant (NOAA #NA20NOS4190175), student researchers learned about commercial fishing as they conducted these oral history interviews. These recordings powerfully preserve the voices and culture of commercial fishing to be shared with current and future generations. This database of knowledge is also available to guide science and regulatory decisions. Get to know Georgia's commercial fishermen by listening to their "Boat Stories"
Kimberly Singley
Johnny Bennett is a seasoned commercial fisherman from Georgia with a rich family history in the industry. His first experience on a boat was at the tender age of two weeks, marking the beginning of his lifelong involvement in fishing. Bennett's passion for the industry is evident in his preference for the solitude and independence it offers. However, he has witnessed significant changes over the years, many of which he attributes to environmental and regulatory shifts. Bennett's deep knowledge of the local waters and the industry's dynamics is evident in his detailed accounts of the changes he has observed. He has seen a decline in the number of fishing licenses sold in Georgia, the number of boats on the water, and the number of fish houses in operation. He also notes the impact of environmental changes, such as the construction of bird island and the sinking of a ship, on the local shrimp population. Despite the challenges, Bennett remains committed to the industry, although he expresses concern about its future, particularly for small boat operators.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with Johnny Bennett, conducted on November 12, 2021, provides a detailed account of his experiences and observations as a commercial fisherman in Georgia. The interview is part of the "Boat Stories" research project led by Dr. Jennifer Sweeney Tookes of Georgia Southern University. In the interview, Bennett discusses his family's long history in the commercial fishing industry and his personal journey within it. He provides a vivid picture of the changes he has witnessed over the years, including the decline in the number of fishing licenses sold, the number of boats on the water, and the number of fish houses in operation. Bennett also discusses the impact of environmental changes on the local shrimp population, including the construction of bird island and the sinking of a ship. He expresses concern about the future of the industry, particularly for small boat operators, and suggests that regulatory changes and environmental factors are contributing to its decline. The interview provides valuable insights into the lived experiences of commercial fishermen in Georgia and the challenges they face. It contributes to a broader understanding of the commercial fishing industry's dynamics and the impact of environmental and regulatory changes on it.
Project Note: This project is supported under grant award #NA20NOS4190175 to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources from the Office for Coastal Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of DNR, OCM or NOAA.
Please Note: The oral histories in this collection are protected by copyright and have been created for educational, research and personal use as described by the Fair Use Doctrine in the U.S. Copyright law. Please reach out Voices@noaa.gov to let us know how these interviews are being used in your research, project, exhibit, etc. The Voices staff can help provide other useful resources related to your inquiry.
The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. The Voices Oral History Archives offers public access to a wide range of accounts, including historical materials that are products of their particular times, and may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes.
Voices Oral History Archives does not verify the accuracy of materials submitted to us. The opinions expressed in the interviews are those of the interviewee only. The interviews here have been made available to the public only after the interviewer has confirmed that they have obtained consent.