Rick Waite and Tom Olyanarnyk

Location of Interview
Collection Name

A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Description

This collection was created during the 2017-2018 red tide event that had major ecosystem impacts on the west coast of Florida. Fish harvesters and related businesses suffered major setbacks during this time. Fishers, with a long history on the water and oftentimes second or third generation involved in the fishing business, reminisce about how the ecosystem has changed during their and their families time and the red tides they have witnessed. The collection provides information on species affected, specific areas affected, as well as discussions related to adaptation behaviors and specific business impacts.

Date of Interview
05-07-2019
Transcribers

Transcription Hub

Principal Investigator
Audio
Biographical Sketch

Rick Waite and Tom Olyanarnyk are commercial fishermen from Cortez. Their earliest memories of a Red Tide event was during the 1970s, where they witnessed a bad fish kill mostly affecting crabs. 

Scope and Content Note

In this interview, Rick Waite and Tom Olyanarnyk discuss the history of fishing in Cortez, Florida, and the impact of red tide on the marine ecosystem. Rick shares his early fishing experiences and the navigational equipment used in the past. They talk about fishing for various species and the changing prices. Tom talks about joining Rick as a crew member and their move to Fort Myers. They discuss the worsening red tide events over the past 15 years and its effects on marine life, including porpoises, turtles, sharks, groupers, and snook. They mention the increase in shark and black fish populations and attribute the red tide to excessive coastal development, sewage dumping, population growth, and environmental impacts. They emphasize the need for management and regulation by organizations like NOAA Fisheries, suggesting fishing opportunities for red snapper and sharks to manage the ecosystem while addressing concerns about overfishing. They also stress the importance of protecting natural habitats, implementing spawning regulations, and considering the long-term repercussions of the oil spill predicted by the University of Florida.


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