Freddy Manny has built a career that spans two distinct yet interrelated professions: sign painting and shrimping. His journey through the shrimping industry has equipped him with a wealth of knowledge about fishing techniques and the evolution of regulations within the field. Freddy has witnessed firsthand the effects of external factors such as Navy testing on the fishing environment and the resultant variations in shrimp sizes.

Glenn Evans and Mark Nease are two divers/boat captains with extensive experience and knowledge about the marine ecosystem of the Florida Keys. Glenn Evans, a seasoned marine biologist, has spent a significant portion of his career studying the changes in the marine ecosystem, with a particular focus on water conditions such as clarity, algae blooms, and visibility. His work has contributed significantly to the understanding of the impact of environmental changes on marine life.

Dave Nolan is a long-time resident of the Keys, having lived there for thirteen years. Prior to his move, he served in the Navy and was stationed in Japan. Nolan is currently in his late forties, soon to turn fifty. He first visited the Keys in the early 1960s before eventually deciding to settle there. Nolan earned a four-year college degree, and attended graduate school. After leaving the Navy, he initially worked in the charter boat industry before transitioning to his current role as the director of the AIDS Prevention Center.

Bill Wickers is a lifelong resident of the Keys, having spent 46 years in the area. He has been a charter boat captain for approximately 24 years, a profession he took up after a four-year stint as a school teacher. Even during his teaching years, Wickers was involved in charter fishing, often spending his weekends and vacations on the water. His experience on the water is extensive, with an average of five to six days a week spent on the water over the years.