Michael Sullivan
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"
Jamekia Collins
Michael Sullivan is a seasoned commercial fisherman based in Brunswick, Georgia. With a career spanning several decades, Sullivan has owned and operated multiple fishing vessels, including his most recent acquisition, a 60-foot research vessel previously owned by The Department of Natural Resources. Prior to this, he owned and operated The Flying Cloud, an 88-foot North Carolina built boat, which was one of the largest boats on the East Coast in terms of power and size when he purchased it in 1986. Sullivan has a wealth of experience in the shrimping industry, particularly off the coast of Savannah, Georgia. His expertise extends to serving on advisory councils and associations related to the commercial fishing industry.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with Michael Sullivan, conducted on January 28, 2022, provides an in-depth look into his experiences and insights as a commercial fisherman. Sullivan discusses his recent return to the industry after a period of retirement, detailing his plans to prepare his newly purchased vessel for shrimping off Savannah. Sullivan shares his experiences of owning and operating several boats, including the "Flying Cloud," which was one of the largest boats on the East Coast when he purchased it in 1986. He provides a detailed account of the complexities of shrimping in different ports, particularly Savannah, due to various obstructions. In addition to his fishing experiences, Sullivan also shares personal anecdotes, including taking his children and grandchildren out on his boats, hosting friends and business associates, and even taking a class of biology students out for a day on the water. Sullivan also discusses his involvement in various projects, such as a research project with the University of Georgia, and his experiences serving on advisory councils and associations related to the commercial fishing industry. The interview concludes with Sullivan's recommendations for the future of the commercial fishing industry, highlighting the need for new interest and investment in the sector.
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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