Lindsey Parker
Fishing Traditions & Fishing Futures in Georgia
The goal of the “Fishing Traditions and Fishing Futures” project is to raise awareness of the experiences of commercial fishermen and their changing livelihoods in Georgia by documenting their local fisheries knowledge and perspectives about the state and fate of Georgia’s commercial fishing industry through the use of oral histories. Capturing the life stories and experiences of Georgia’s commercial fishermen is especially important since many local communities have depended on the coastal environment for their economic and cultural base for generations.
National Capital Contracting
Lindsey Parker was born in 1956 in East Point, Georgia, and later moved to St. Simons Island, Georgia, in 1965 after his father secured a job in Brunswick. His career was deeply entrenched in the fishing industry, where he developed a wealth of knowledge in various fishing techniques, including shrimping and longlining. Parker's significant tenure on the research vessel Georgia Bulldog allowed him to contribute to both the practical and investigative aspects of marine life and the fishing trade. His experiences offer a unique perspective on the challenges and changes within the industry, particularly in relation to environmental impacts and the push for sustainable practices. Parker's insights into the evolution of the industry and the efforts to protect marine life, especially sea turtles, make him a valuable witness to the ongoing dialogue between environmental conservation and commercial fishing.
Scope and Content Note
The oral history interview with Lindsey Parker provides a comprehensive examination of the fishing industry and its environmental impact. Parker discusses the influence of spring tides on water conditions and the presence of sea turtles in fishing areas. He emphasizes the importance of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) and bycatch reduction devices in the shrimp fishery, which are designed to reduce the accidental capture of sea turtles [1]. The interview also explores the regulatory measures such as the closure of sounds for shrimp fishing and the impact of black gill disease on shrimp populations. Parker shares his experiences with the collaborative efforts between the shrimp industry, environmental groups, and the National Marine Fisheries Service to develop and refine TEDs, including the Georgia Jumper, through research that involved testing with juvenile turtles and underwater camera systems [2]. Furthermore, he reflects on the political and economic factors that influence the fishing industry, providing a detailed account of the complex issues that affect both the livelihoods of those within the industry and the marine ecosystem they rely on.
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