Fort Myers, FL

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
John Bossler NOAA Heritage Oral History Project

Dr. John Bossler was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1936.  He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in civil engineering in 1959 and went to work for the Coast and Geodetic Survey.  John earned a master's and PhD in Geodetic Science from Ohio State University.  Until 1986, John served as Director of the Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS) and the National Geodetic Survey (NGS).  As Director of C&GS, he was an Admiral in the NOAA Commissioned Corps.  In 1987, Bossler became a professor and Director of the Center for Mapping at Ohio State University.

Molly Graham Fort Myers, FL NOAA Heritage Program, National Weather Service
Al Durrett A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Al Durret is a Marina owner in Fort Myers Beach.  He has been in Fort Myers Beach for thirty-three years.  He sells shrimp as bait. 

Scope and Content Note 

Amanda Stoltz Fort Myers, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Don Jones A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Don Jones is a commercial fisherman who grew up in the Boca Grande North area and has spent most of his life in the fishing business. He has witnessed red tide occurrences throughout the years, but they were typically short-lived, lasting a couple of weeks to a month. However, in recent times, particularly during the last year, he experienced a severe and prolonged red tide event that lasted year-round and significantly impacting his fishing business.

Scope and Content Note

Amanda Stoltz Fort Myers, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Henry R. Blakely A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Henry Blakely is an experienced fisherman based in Fort Myers Beach, with a focus on stone crabbing and kingfish fishing. Throughout his life, he has witnessed and dealt with the impact of red tide occurrences on fishing activities in the region.

Scope and Content Note

Amanda Stoltz Fort Myers, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Ralph Andrew A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Ralph Andrew is a seasoned fisherman based in Florida. He has witnessed and experienced multiple red tide events throughout his life, leading him to advocate for stricter regulations to protect the environment from pollution and its devastating consequences.

Scope and Content Note

Amanda Stoltz, Karla Gore Fort Myers, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center