Marco Randazzo is a retired fisherman and rope sculptor originally from Palermo, Italy. Born in 1945, he immigrated to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1969 following an earthquake in Italy that worsened an already difficult economy. Coming from a family of fishermen, Randazzo continued the tradition in Gloucester, often working as the "twine man" in charge of maintaining and repairing the nets on the fishing boats. In his retirement, he has taken his skill with knots and rope and creates rope sculptures of figures and religious icons, many related to his life on the sea.

John Reardon is a former fisherman turned General Manager for IMP Fishing Gear Limited in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Born in Boston, MA, Reardon entered the fishing industry in the early 1980s, starting out on a dragger and retiring from fishing in 1999. He began working for IMP Fishing Gear, also known as Industrial Marine Products, in November of 1999. The company, which started out selling fishing gear in Newfoundland, now has 15 branches in Canada and the United States.

Dr. Leonard Roche is a retired fisherman and educator from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Born into a family of Newfoundland descent, Roche has a rich history in the fishing industry, having started his career as a lumper before transitioning into roles that allowed him to represent the fishing industry in various organizations, such as Boat Owners United and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Treaty Organization. In addition to his work in the fishing industry, Roche also had a simultaneous career in education, serving as a school principal.

Chris Rodriques worked in several New Bedford fish houses during the 1970s and 1980s and saw the changes in that sector as a result of the strike and the loss of the fish house workers union. She was born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Chris grew up in a family with a background in various professions, including grocery store ownership and pharmacy work. Chris herself initially pursued a career in the telephone company and other odd jobs, but eventually found employment in the New Bedford fish houses during the 1970s and 1980s.

Jim Ruhle is a third-generation fisherman from Long Island, New York, born in 1948. He spent most of his life in Wanchese, North Carolina, where he continued his family's fishing tradition. Ruhle has two sons, one of whom works with him full-time, and the other part-time, making them the fourth generation in this fishing lineage. Ruhle's family has a rich history in the fishing industry, with his father pioneering the longline swordfish fishery in North Carolina. Ruhle has worked on various fishing boats, including a ninety-foot steel boat he now owns.

Renee Rusco is a commercial fisherman and cook originally from Mississippi. Born and raised in the Mississippi delta, Rusco left her home at the age of eighteen to seek adventure and see the world . She spent a significant amount of time in Houston, Texas before moving to the Pacific Northwest, specifically Portland, Oregon, Vancouver, Washington, and eventually settling in Astoria, Oregon where she lives on a fishing boat. Rusco has fished from Alaska down the Pacific Coast and has earned respect in her field by always pulling her weight.

Ms. Sanfilippo, from an Italian fishing family, lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts. She is the Executive Director of the Gloucester Fisherman's Wives Association, an advocacy group for the fishing industry. Born in the fishing village of Porticello in Sicily, Angela acquired substantial knowledge from her grandfather about boat technologies and weather patterns. 

Jack Saunders is an 80-year-old male who was born in 1927 to a Newfoundland fishing family. He is the owner of Pier Oil in New Bedford. Saunders' father owned a couple of boats, one of which was requisitioned by the government during World War II and lost at sea. Saunders began working on the docks at the age of fourteen, lumping during the summer while attending high school [3]. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Navy and then fished with his father for five years. He later worked for his brother's oil tanker business and eventually started his own business.

Lynn Selboe is an experienced commercial fisherman with a strong connection to the fishing industry in Alaska. Born and raised in Illinois, Lynn eventually moved to Seattle, where she currently resides. She grew up with a sister who was involved in fishing, working as a translator on a Joint Venture in the Bering Sea. Inspired by her sister's experiences, Lynn decided to give fishing a try after graduating from college in 1991. Joining the O'Hara Corporation, based in Rockland, Maine, Lynn began her fishing career on a 124-foot factory trawler called the Enterprise.

Deb Shrader is a passionate advocate for fishermen and their families, dedicated to ensuring their rights and the sustainability of ocean resources. Despite having no family background in fishing, she married Ron Shrader, a fisherman and captain, which ignited her interest in the fishing industry and its challenges. She became a driving force behind Shore Support, an advocacy group she founded to bridge the gap between fishermen and regulatory processes.

Charlie Mitchell, born on March 5, 1945, in Boston, Massachusetts, is a prominent figure in the maritime industry. With a childhood spent near the water in Fairhaven, he developed a deep affinity for maritime activities. After attending college and beginning law school, his plans were interrupted by the draft during the Vietnam War. He chose to join the Navy through the ROTC program and gained extensive sea experience aboard various ships, including destroyers.

Jennifer Mitchell, also known as Jennifer Demalo, is part of the Mitchell family business. She grew up in New Bedford and attended Bishop Stang High School before graduating from Emmanuel College. Initially working as a business manager at a preschool in Boston, Jennifer joined the family business after her father asked her to work with him. She has been involved in bookkeeping and similar administrative tasks. Jennifer has been with the business for around eight years and is married with two children.

Kaare Ness, a Norwegian immigrant, was born in Norway and moved to the United States in 1955. He initially settled in New Bedford/Fairhaven area and lived there for thirteen years. In 1968, Ness relocated to Alaska and then moved to Seattle in 1969. He owned a seafood processing and distributing company in Seattle, focusing on scallops and later transitioning to the king crab fishery. Ness had a family history in fishing, with his father and uncle having connections to the industry. He built boats for king crab fishing and continued in that line of work until his retirement.

Howard Nickerson, a former fisherman and union organizer, was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on September 14, 1912. Nickerson grew up in Wareham and graduated from a vocational school. Despite his father's work in the electric light company, Nickerson pursued a career in the fishery industry. During the Great Depression, when jobs were scarce, he found work as an usher at the State Theatre in New Bedford. Eventually, he transitioned to working in the engine room of fishing vessels, primarily engaged in sea scalloping.

Paul Nosworthy, a retired shoreside business owner from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, possesses a wealth of maritime knowledge and experience. His career began with boat repairs and sailing on tall ships like Westward, Pride of Baltimore, and Clearwater. With a foundation in diesel mechanics, he established New England Marine Engineering, specializing in industrial refrigeration and electrical repairs for New Bedford's fishing fleet. 

Marty Olsen is a retired fisherman. He was born in New Jersey and later moved to Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Marty joined the Army and started fishing in 1961, primarily out of New Bedford and briefly in Boston. Olsen's children did not follow in his footsteps, with his son becoming an electrician and his daughters marrying shore people.

Dan Orchard began his career as a fisherman, working in different fisheries along the Pacific Coast, from Southern California to Alaska. After leaving the Coast Guard, he ventured into lobster fishing but soon realized his passion lay in bigger boats, particularly draggers. Dan then worked on the boat The Travis and Natalie out of Point Judith, Rhode Island, where he gained extensive knowledge about fishing, including cutting, gutting, cleaning, and stacking fish on ice. Dan went on to explore different fisheries, including squid fishing and even caught rare species along the way.

Richard Pasquill is a successful seafood restaurant owner and manager based in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. Born in Fairhaven, Pasquill comes from a Canadian (Newfoundland) background. His family has a long history in the fishing industry, with his father being a well-known figure in the New Bedford fishing community.

Theodore (Ted) Pedersen is a retired fisherman of Norwegian descent, born in Norway and later immigrated to the United States. He spent his career as a scalloper, working out of home ports in Brooklyn, New York, and New Bedford, Massachusetts. Despite his father and grandfather both losing their lives at sea, Pedersen pursued a career in fishing, starting in scalloping with his father. He worked in various roles throughout his career, including deckhand, mate, and skipper. Pedersen retired in 1980 after 41 years in the industry.

Antonio Perreira also known as "Tony the Plumber," has worked as a full-time pipe fitter on the waterfront since 1976. He was born in Portugal on May 22, 1942, where  he learned is trade through a traditional apprenticeship after working as a pinner in a textile mill and as a construction worker and laborer. He immigrated to the United States in 1956, settling in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He became a skilled plumber, specializing in marine plumbing for fishing vessels.

Susan Petersen is an anthropologist who has dedicated a significant portion of her career to studying the fishing industry in Massachusetts. She moved to the state in 1973, shortly after earning her PhD from the University of Hawaii. Petersen began her research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic, where she sought to understand the structure of the fishing industry, including boat ownership, financial structures, and the impact of fish stocks on the industry's health.

Mark Phillips is a seasoned fisherman and boat owner based in Greenport, New York. Born on December 7, 1956, Phillips has been involved in the fishing industry since he was eight years old. His family has a long history of involvement with the sea, with his great grandfather being a coastal trader. However, Phillips is the only member of his family to become a full-time fisherman. He owns and operates an 83-foot dragger named F/V ILLUSION, fishing out of Greenport, Long Island, New York, and New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Betsy Pye, a New Bedford native, has been a steadfast presence in the ocean-oriented community of New Bedford. Born and raised in the heart of the coastal city, she has a deep connection to the maritime heritage. Her husband’s ancestors were also from the area.  She is an active advocate for the fishing industry.

Bob Quinn and Helene Quinn and their ancestors have lived and worked on Eagle Island in Penobscot Bay Maine for generations. Bob got his start working on a pumper in the sardine industry and eventually began lobstering. Bob is now passing the torch to his grandson, Sam, who is eagerly embracing a life at sea. Helene Quinn is Bob's wife. She hails from Rockland, Maine, and has deep roots on Eagle Island. Samuel Quinn Russo, aged 12 during the interview, is Bob and Helene's grandson. He represents the younger generation that is actively embracing the family's fishing traditions. 

Paul Swain is a retired auctioneer, lumper, and government worker who has spent his entire life associated with the fishing industry. His father was a fisherman from Newfoundland, and Swain followed in his footsteps, working in various roles on the waterfront. He spent 40 years with the National Marine Fisheries Service before retiring 10 years ago. Swain has held a variety of jobs on the waterfront, including painting, lumping, icing, and working for the Federal government. Jim Dwyer is a lumper and the head of the Lumper's Union.

Jim Dwyer and Paul Swain are seasoned veterans of the fishing industry, residing in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Their extensive experience and deep knowledge of the industry, its history, and its community make them valuable sources of information. 

Born in 1949, Charlotte Enoksen grew up in a tight-knit immigrant community, where many families were involved in the fishing industry. Her father, a Norwegian immigrant, became a fisherman and transitioned from groundfishing to scalloping over the years. 

Armando Estudante is a male fisherman and entrepreneur of Portuguese descent. Born in Portugal, he immigrated to the United States in 1978 at the age of 50s, initially visiting his parents in Philadelphia. However, during a trip to New Bedford to explore the whaling museum, he discovered the city's vibrant fishing community and decided to settle there permanently. Armando had prior experience in the fishing industry in Portugal, having worked on merchant vessels and factory trawlers. In Portugal, he was in charge of a fleet of boats for a fishing company.

Francisco Ferreira is a seasoned fisherman based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Born in Portugal, Ferreira immigrated to the United States with his family in 1981 when he was still a baby. His father and grandfather were both fishermen, and Ferreira followed in their footsteps, starting his fishing career at the young age of thirteen. Over the years, he has worked on various fishing vessels and has gained a deep understanding of the fishing industry.

Francisco Ferreira, known as "Captain Jeff," is a respected commercial fisherman with a rich background rooted in his birthplace of Portugal. He has established his homeport in the bustling fishing community of New Bedford, Massachusetts. With a focus on both scalloping and dragging fishing techniques, Captain Jeff operates aboard the fishing vessel Apollo, a remarkable boat holding dual licenses for scalloping and dragging. Beyond his role as a capable mariner, Captain Jeff maintains a strong connection to the family-owned business, F & B Rubberized.

Diane Flynn is a female inshore shellfisher and clam shack owner from Bourne, Massachusetts. She was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, but grew up in Bourne. Flynn has been involved in the fishing industry for over twenty-seven years, having entered the industry through her partner. She and her partner operate small boats for inshore fishing in Bourne, Massachusetts. Flynn's work involves not only fishing but also culling and packing clams. Over the years, she has seen the industry evolve and has witnessed the challenges faced by young people trying to enter the industry.

Edward "Eddie" Fortes, a former fish cutter, worked on the New Bedford waterfront for 35 years. Eddie's father was a sword fisherman and his family owned three fishing boats. His taught Carlos Rafael how to cut fish and was once the fastest fish cutter in the city.  Eddie has two daughters, one is a school teacher in the New Bedford High School system and is also a gymnastics teacher for the city of New Bedford, while the other is a veterinarian in New Jersey who used to be a New England Patriots cheerleader.

Roland Gailitis was born in Raga, Latvia, in 1936. At the age of three, the Russians occupied Latvia, and Roland and his family lived under their rule for a year. Then, during World War II, the Germans took over Latvia until November 1944. In order to escape the turbulent situation in Latvia, Roland's family embarked on a perilous journey to Sweden in an 18-foot whaling boat with 18 people, including children. They lived in Sweden for 3.5 years until the Russians demanded the return of Latvians to their own country.

Patricia Gerrior is a retired fisheries biologist with a career spanning over 35 years in the federal government. She has worked extensively in New Bedford and has seen significant changes in the field over the years. Gerrior has been involved in various aspects of fisheries science, including the Fisheries Observer Program, regulations, stock cycles/declines, and marine mammal/right whales research. She has also worked with the commercial shipping industry. Gerrior has been a strong advocate for women in the field, facing and overcoming discrimination during her career.

Donna Goodwin is a seasoned professional in the fishing industry, specifically in the area of splicing. Born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts, she comes from a long line of fishermen, with her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all having been involved in the industry. Donna was taught how to splice three-strand ropes at the age of seven by her father. She later worked for New England Ropes for about 20 years before starting her own splicing business, the Splice Girls, with her daughter.

"When you go into another man's territory you've got to fish like he does. You've got to learn to fish like they fish or you won't catch nothin'. Everybody learns. Every community fishes different."

Interview with Brian Bichrest of Harpswell, Maine.  Mr. Bichrest is a gill net fisherman of the Maine Coast Community Sector. In this interview, he shares his recollections of growing up in Harpswell and observations from his experience on the water.

This interview was produced with funding from the Maine Humanities Council.

This is an interview with fisherman Frank Bichrest of Cundy's Harbor, ME. Interview contains descriptions of the groundfish fishery, shrimping, lobstering and the community of Harpswell. 

This interview was produced with funding from the Maine Humanities Council.

In this interview, alewife harvester Rick Welch reflects on the Downeast Maine alewife fishery. The interview contains his thoughts on the effects of dams, the desirability of alewives as lobster bait and the difference between alewives and blueback herring.

In this interview, alewife fisherman Darrell Young describes the Maine alewife fishery and some of the environmental challenges that this anadromous species faces.

Philip Cubbedge talks about the Matanzas River Clam Farm.

Marian Kimrey is a retired teacher and Summer Haven resident, who worked in her family-owned Matanzas Inlet Restaurant.

Hugh Mercer talks about Holmer fish farm in St. Augustine, Florida.

Frankie Pacetti talks about commercial shellfishing in St. Augustine, Florida.

Gordon "Gordie" Wilson is the superintendent of Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas national monuments in St. Augustine, Florida.

Interview with Jeremiah Relyea of the Frank M. Flower Shellfish Hatchery in Bayville, New York.  Interview contains information on aquaculture practices.

Interview with Edwin Rhodes (born February 1943) who began working at the Milford Lab in 1959 at the age of 14. Interview contains information on his career with NMFS, Long Island Oyster Farms, and the NFI Crab Council.

Mr. DeCosta talked about his typical day on the water. He spent a lot of his time comparing the fishing industry today, to when he first started. He claims that there are many more rules and regulations now, which takes away from the joy of fishing.

Jack Dooley is a very experienced fisherman and scalloper; he grew on Nantucket and has captained many boats.

Carl Sjolund is an experienced bay scalloper and commercial fisherman living and working in Nantucket, MA. He describes his years on the water, and his family's extensive fishing background.

Henry Wasierski Jr. is a native Nantucketer, and is now a retired man. He used to be a commercial fisherman and scalloper, and now lives in a relaxing home with his wife, Patton. He is 76 years old.

The interviewee is a 25-year-old Guatemalan Mayan woman who works in seafood processing in New Bedford. She grew up in a poor but happy family in Las Canales. Her father left for the United States when she was four, and she stayed with her mother and three siblings. Her family was forced to move from their village due to the violence during the war in Guatemala, and her uncles also left for the United States. Her father is now a fisherman in the United States. She communicates with him via telephone and he helps the family financially.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Interviewee discusses her experience as a female seafood processor worker, how she came to work in the industry, and how government regulations affect her life and her family.

Harold Bickings Jr. is a descendant of a long line of oyster fishermen who have been in the business since the 1800s. His great-grandfather, a Danish immigrant, started the family's involvement in the oyster industry, which was carried on by subsequent generations. Bickings Jr. has a wealth of knowledge about the family's history in the oyster business, including the trials and hardships they faced, the locations of their businesses, and the names and locations of other companies in the Port Norris and Maurice River area.

Mrs. Bienkovitz shares memories of her childhood growing up in Bivalve, NJ. She was the daughter of Daniel Henderson, a waterman from Bivalve. She gives detail what kind of man and worker her father was and describes the oyster industry during the time frame 1930's to 1950's.  She discusses the lifestyle during her childhood, the homes and who lived in them along with identifying building where businesses were located and who were the proprietors.

James Bradford was born on July 30, 1930, in Morristown, but was raised in Port Norris where he also attended school. After leaving Port Norris, he served in the Navy and was stationed in Norfolk for three years, with a one-year duty in Hawaii. Upon his return, he worked on an oyster boat for Norman Jefferies, Sr. in Greenwich. His parents were Janet Bradford and Earl Bradford, originally from Newport. He had two brothers, Robert and Earl.

Cecil E. "Chuck" Leith was a renowned physicist, mathematician, and climate modeler, born in 1923 in Boston, Massachusetts. He spent his early life in Massachusetts, attending high school in Scituate, a town south of Boston. Leith's career took a significant turn during World War II when he was drafted into the Army at the age of twenty-one. Despite his young age, he was involved in a highly classified project, the details of which he was not allowed to disclose.

Lisa plays a pivotal role in managing major incident responses within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. From July 2016 to September 2018, Lisa held the position of Deputy Superintendent at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Prior to that, she served as the Damage Assessment and Resource Protection Coordinator for NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries since 1998. In this capacity, Lisa was in charge of system-wide coordination for contingency planning, emergency response, damage assessment, restoration, and enforcement efforts.

Dave Waltman, a long-time resident of Boulder, Colorado, has had a diverse and interesting career. Born in St. Louis, he spent his early years as a suburbanite in both St. Louis and Chicago. Following in his brother's footsteps, Waltman attended Purdue University, where his father, a native Hoosier and engineer, had also studied. However, Waltman did not find engineering to his liking and transferred to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where he graduated in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in business.

Daniel F. Rex was born on December 4, 1916, in Wichita, Kansas. His father, a physician, passed away when Rex was only six months old, leading him to be raised by his mother and maternal grandparents. His grandfather, Lloyd Farrell, a telegrapher and pioneer in Wichita, played a significant role in his upbringing and served as a father figure. Rex's early life was marked by adventure and responsibility, including a trip to Yucatan at the age of fourteen to buy 1100 head of cattle.

Dr. Warren M. Washington is a distinguished scientist and director of the Climate and Global Dynamics division at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). He joined NCAR approximately twenty-seven years prior to the interview in 1990, making significant contributions to the field of atmospheric sciences. In addition to his work at NCAR, Washington has been involved in various external activities, including serving on the first committee to examine climate issues for the academy in the early 1970s.

The anonymous interviewee is a twenty-seven year-old female immigrant from San Andres, Sacabaja, in the department of Quiche, Guatemala. She has been working in the seafood processing industry in New Bedford, Massachusetts, as a cutter and packer. She embarked on her journey to the United States in search of better opportunities and to support her family back home, despite the risks involved in the journey. She got married at a young age of fifteen and initially lived with her mother-in-law, which she found challenging due to a lack of understanding.

The anonymous interviewee is a thirty-two-year-old Salvadoran woman who has been working in the seafood processing industry in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She was born on October 24, 1976, in San Sebastian, San Vicente, El Salvador. She is the third child in a large family of fourteen siblings, two of whom have passed away. Her father struggled to find work and support the family due to the extreme poverty they lived in. This economic hardship was a significant factor in her decision to immigrate to the United States.

Dr. Akira Kasahara is a renowned climate modeler who has made significant contributions to the field of atmospheric science. He has been associated with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) for a considerable period, where he has been instrumental in developing and improving climate models. Dr. Kasahara's research experience spans over a decade, during which he has led and mentored several young scientists, including Warren Washington, a fresh Ph.D. graduate from Penn State.

Lou Baggett is a 5th generation Floridian fisherman. He was once a commercial fisherman, and now mostly employs charter services.

Scope and Content Note

In this interview, Baggett enlightens us on the rapid, environmental changes occurring in southwest Florida.  The most intense Red Tide he has experienced was in 2013, which he attributes to a phosphate dumping event. 

Kevin Bellington is an experienced fishing guide with nearly 40 years of fishing in Goodland, Florida. As a charter captain, he has encountered numerous red tide events throughout his career and witnessed their impact on fish populations. 

Scope and Content Note

Kenyon Ghandi is old-time Florida fisherman. He began fishing in 1948, and has been a commercial fisherman and owns a seafood market. Gandy narrates the evolution of the fishery in Panama City and gives insight on the history of the area. 

Scope and Content Note

Mark Ratfield is a 5th generation Floridian and commercial fisherman. Ratfield shares his stories of how difficult the fishery is in the Panama City Beach area. He recalls two distinct Red Tide events, in 2002 and 2016.

Scope and Content Note

Jonnie Walker has been chartering in the Sarasota base since 1974.  He has lived there since 1957.  His parents had a bait shop on the Venice Jetty in the 60s and 70s.  He works mainly in Sarasota Bay and the Gulf. He mainly fishes trout, redfish, mackerel, kingfish, cobia, grouper, and mangrove snapper.

Scope and Content Note

Mark Hubbard is a third generation fisherman with a deep-rooted family history in the fishing industry. He began his fishing journey at a young age, catching pinfish and later engaging in gill netting and net fishing. Over the years, Mark established a successful charter boat business in 1986 and a party boat business in 1992.

Scope and Content Note

Interview with charter boat captain Matt Davie, of Inshore Addict Charters.

Scope and Content Note

John Banyas is a fourth-generation fisherman from Cortez, Florida. He has dedicated his life to the fishing industry, learning the trade from his grandfather and engaging in various fishing techniques such as gill netting and purse seining. Banyas has become a vocal advocate for addressing the detrimental effects of red tide on the fishing industry, highlighting the decline in fish populations and the urgent need to improve water quality to ensure the sustainability of the fishery. 

Kelly Kurtz is a Sarasota native who has been chartering for the last ten years. He mostly fishes inshore but he fishes up to nine miles offshore as well. He talks about if there is another red tide he might have to get another job or a bigger boat so that he can work offshore.

Scope and Content Note

Darrell Gale is a seasoned commercial fisherman from Darien, Georgia. He comes from a long lineage of watermen, tracing back to Sir William Gale who served for King Arthur. His family migrated from the Isle of Man to the United States, where they settled in Darien, Georgia. Gale's grandfather worked for King George, rafting logs and fishing during off times. His father also followed the same path, serving in the Navy under Halsey before returning to shrimping. Gale himself has been on the waters since he was small, becoming a shrimp boat captain at the age of fourteen.

Charlie Phillips is a seasoned fisherman and business owner based in McIntosh County, Georgia. He has been involved in the fishing industry since his high school years, when he began working on shrimp boats during the summer. By the time he was a senior in high school, he was running shrimp boats on the weekends for his father. His commitment to the fishing industry led him to leave college when a professor insisted he attend a final exam on June 1, a crucial day for shrimp fishing. From that point on, Phillips became a full-time shrimp boat captain.

Calvin Lang is a third-generation shrimper and fisher based in Brunswick, Georgia. He has been involved in the fishing industry for several years, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Lang currently owns two fishing vessels, the Miss Peggy and the Fifth Day, both of which he operates with his wife, Lisa. He previously owned the Lang's Pride, a 75-foot St. Augustine trawler freezer boat, which he sold due to difficulties in finding a crew.

Ron McConaughey is a native of San Diego, born in 1941, and spent his entire life in the beach area, specifically Mission Beach. His first experience with underwater exploration began around 1949 when he wore a mask in the ocean for the first time. This sparked a lifelong interest in diving and underwater exploration. Around 1954, he took an introductory scuba course at the YMCA, which further fueled his passion. McConaughey's interest in scuba diving led him to read extensively on the subject, including works by Jacques Cousteau and the U.S. Navy diving manual.

Bobbie Smith is a co-owner of Sapelo Shrimp Company, a fishing industry business located in McIntosh County, Georgia. Despite not having a background in the fishing industry, Smith has become an integral part of the company, relying heavily on her business partner, Bill Harris, for his wealth of knowledge about the industry. Smith's role involves managing the comings and goings of boats at Sapelo Shrimp Company, with the busiest times being from May to early July.

Bill Harris is a seasoned fisherman and co-owner of Sapelo Shrimp Company based in Darien, Georgia. He has been involved in the fishing industry for several decades, having bought his first boat in 1989. Over the years, Harris has owned and operated several fishing vessels, with his most recent being the Brenda K, formerly known as the Lang's Pride. Harris serves as the captain of his boats, but he also manages operations on the dock, including unloading shrimp from other fishermen, selling shrimp, ice, and fuel.

Curtis Carter is a seasoned shrimper from Darien, Georgia, who has been in the shrimping industry since the age of sixteen. Despite not having completed his education, Carter was able to support his family through his work in shrimping. His first boat was the "Night Train," which he owned and operated for about four years. He later worked on several other boats, including the Pay Tot and the El Mar in Key West, Florida, and the Shrimp Chaser, a giant herring boat.

Brande Bennett is a seasoned fisherwoman from Brunswick, Georgia, who has been involved in the fishing industry since her childhood. Her involvement in the industry is generational, with her father owning the Dora F, a boat she has been fishing on since she was four years old. Bennett also owned her own boat, the Brande Ray, which she sold a few years back. She has always preferred the role of a striker over that of a captain, despite being capable of driving the boats and performing all necessary tasks.

Andrew Ross is a seasoned commercial fisherman based in Brunswick, Georgia. He has been involved in the shrimping industry since he was 20 years old, initially working as a deckhand on his father's boat, the Burn East 2. As his father aged, Ross took over the role of Captain and has been operating the boat ever since. The Burn East 2, a wooden boat built in 1944, is one of the oldest boats in the area. Ross's family has a long history in the marine business, with his father involved in bridge construction and his great grandfather building jetties in the area.

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.

Hinton and Traci Arnsdorff are a married couple who own and operate a home shrimping business. Hinton Arnsdorff has a long history with boats, having owned and operated many throughout his life. His first boat, the Bunny B, was a forty-foot vessel that he ran when he was about fifteen years old. After two years, he sold it and got the West Wind. He has also run the Grey Ghost, which he has had for over twenty years. Other boats he has run include the Notre Dame, which sunk off of Saint Katherines, and Ms. Kim, which sank off of Key West.

Robert Everson is a seasoned fisherman from McIntosh County, Georgia, with a rich history in the fishing industry. His journey in the industry began with the help of his father, who also worked in the industry. Everson's early years were spent working on several boats in the Gulf of Mexico, starting as a striker and gradually gaining experience and skills. He also worked with his father out of Fort Myers, Florida, where they would embark on three-day trips to the Gulf of Mexico for shrimping.

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.

Mr. Robert Todd focuses on the history of his family’s commercial fishermen legacy. He discusses the boats run and operated by members of the Todd/Sawyer family. He discusses his short film, Trawling Traditions, which covers some histories of commercial fishermen on the Georgia Coast.  He also gives recommendations for the future of shrimping in Georgia. 

Marty Collins is a seasoned commercial fisherman with a rich history of working on fishing vessels. He began his career as a captain at the young age of sixteen and has since worked on numerous boats, including the Blackbeard and Cindy Marie. He has been with his current company for nine years and has spent the last four years on his current vessel, the Lady Denise, a 96-foot steel hull freezer boat. Prior to the Lady Denise, he worked on the fishing vessel Forgiven, which was named after the wife of the preacher he worked for.

Michael Vernon is a seasoned fisherman based in Eulonia, Georgia. He has extensive experience working on various fishing vessels, having served on approximately ten to twelve boats throughout his career. Currently, he is the captain and partner on the Miss Doris, a position he has held for the past three years. Prior to this, he worked on the Golden Phase, one of the oldest boats in the county, for the longest duration. His experience spans from North Carolina to Key West, with stints on boats such as the Lady Denise, Megan Elaine, Daddy's Girl, and War Horse.