Joseph Rauls
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"
Yhambria Simmons
Joseph Rauls is a seasoned fisherman from Brunswick, Georgia, who has been involved in the shrimping industry for several decades. His journey into the world of fishing began in 1969 when his father bought a shrimp boat. Rauls was drawn to the entrepreneurial spirit of his father, who always found ways to make a living, including shrimping. Over the years, Rauls has witnessed significant changes in the fishing industry, particularly in the design and operation of fishing vessels. He currently owns a fishing vessel named Miss Bernadette, named after his wife, which is 65 feet long and equipped with twin engines.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with Joseph Rauls, conducted by Yhambria Simmons and Kimberly Singley on November 12, 2021, provides a detailed account of Rauls' experiences in the fishing industry, particularly in shrimping. Rauls discusses the evolution of fishing vessels over the years, from the smaller boats of his early career to the modern, million-dollar shrimp boats of today. He also talks about the changes he has observed in the water, prices, and crew dynamics. Rauls provides a detailed description of his current fishing vessel, Miss Bernadette, including its size, engine specifications, and the updates he has made to modernize it. He also discusses the crew requirements for operating such a vessel. In the latter part of the interview, Rauls shares his thoughts on the current state of the fishing industry in Georgia and offers advice for future fishermen. He emphasizes the need for fishermen to have representation in decision-making processes that affect the industry, as he believes that those making decisions from offices lack the practical experience of being out on the water. He also highlights the impact of environmental changes on fishing areas and the need for more attention to be paid to these issues.
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.
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