Bryan E. Cumbie is a commercial fisherman from Bayou LaBatre, Alabama. Cumbie began his fishing career in 1996, following in the footsteps of his uncle, Billy Johnson, who taught him the trade. He has been involved in commercial fishing since the 1970s and has spent most of his life in Bayou LaBatre. Cumbie's experience in the fishing industry spans several decades, and he has witnessed the impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster on the Gulf Coast fisheries. 

Joseph Gregory Ladnier, who goes by Greg is owner/operator of Sea Pearl Seafood Co., Bayou La Batre, AL, which specializes in wild caught American shrimp.

Mr. Milton Zirlott is a retired commercial fisherman on the Gulf Coast. Zirlott was born on December 29, 1925, to Ellis Zirlott (born 1898 in Fowl River, Alabama) and Nittie Rhodes Zirlott (born around 1906 in Bayou LaBatre, Alabama). His father was a commercial shrimp fisherman and a boat-builder. His mother’s father was a net-maker. Zirlott went to school at Alba in Bayou LaBatre, Alabama. He had one brother, Robert Zirlott.

Minh Van Le, of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, was interviewed on September 10, 2008. Mr. Le is branch manager of Boat People SOS in Bayou La Batre. In addition, Mr. Le owns two shrimp boats. In the 1970's Bayou La Batre experienced and influx of refugees from Asian countries. Boat People SOS helps refugees get integrated into communities around the country. Mr. Le also discussed current conditions in the seafood industry and the role Asians have played in the seafood industry and Bayou La Batre in general. Lastly, Mr.

George Henry Sprinkle was interviewed on August 22, 2008. This interview was very productive because it took place on the site of Mr. Sprinkle?s net shop and footage of a shrimp net being constructed was filmed. Both men used to shrimp and own their own boats. However, both are retired from the shrimping industry because of high costs of maintaining a boat. The two spoke about the shrimping industry in the past and present, in addition to discussing the techniques and materials used in shrimp net making.

B.G. Thompson, whose family has been in the seafood industry another for generations, in one way or another, was interviewed on August 22, 2008. Mr. Thompson spoke of his family's involvement in the seafood industry, which included oystering and shrimping. Mr. Thompson related that his father used to own an oyster canning plant in Coden, Alabama and brought an empty can he has kept over the years to show us. Mr. Thompson, who worked for the National Marine Fisheries Service for 27 years, also spoke in great detail about regulations that have affected the fishing industry in the area.

Avery Bates, of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, was interviewed on several occasions. Mr. Bates is president of the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama (OSAA). Mr. Bates spoke on past and current conditions of the seafood industry, in addition to various aspects of laws and regulations affecting the industry. Mr. Bates was also instrumental in providing contacts within the fishing community.

Brett S. Dungan's interview took place on August 5, 2008 on location at Master Marine. Mr. Dungan, president and general manager of Master Marine, discussed the changes in commercial boat building over time and more specifically the changes that Master Marine has witnessed over time. It was relayed that Master Marine has gone through several stages which included building wooden shrimp boats, then steel shrimp boats. Master Marine has also built numerous boats for foreign countries which included several West African countries.