Morris Butler
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"
Megan R. Bull
Morris Butler is a seasoned shrimper from McIntosh County, Georgia. He has spent over forty years in the shrimping industry, working on various fishing vessels such as The Sundown, The Turning Point, The Thunderbolt, The Sea Walker, and The Four Ladies. His career in shrimping began at a young age, introduced to the industry by his father. Despite health issues forcing him into early retirement, Butler maintains a close relationship with the shrimping community, reflecting fondly on his experiences and the camaraderie among fellow shrimpers.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with Morris Butler, conducted on January 29, 2022, provides a comprehensive insight into his experiences and perspectives on the shrimping industry in Georgia. Butler discusses his time on various fishing vessels, with a particular focus on his experiences on The Sundown, where he spent several years working under Captain Fred Todd. He recounts memorable experiences, such as a particularly successful shrimping day off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia, where they caught thirty boxes of shrimp tails. Butler also discusses the challenges faced by the shrimping industry, particularly the issue of sharks, which he identifies as a significant setback for shrimpers. He expresses a hope that universities or other institutions might develop a solution to mitigate this problem. The interview concludes with Butler reflecting on his career, emphasizing the enjoyment he derived from his work and the strong sense of community among shrimpers. Despite his retirement due to health issues, Butler remains closely connected to the shrimping community and continues to advocate for its interests.
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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