Florida

Interviewee Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
James Franklin American Meteorological Society Centennial Oral History Project

James Franklin is a retired meteorologist who spent 35 years of his career with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). His tenure was divided between the Hurricane Research Division (HRD) and the National Hurricane Center. Franklin's journey in meteorology began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he pursued his master's degree. His initial thesis was focused on the study of the New England coastal front. However, due to an unfortunate incident involving the loss of crucial data, he had to change his thesis topic.

 Jinny Nathans Ponte Vedra, FL American Meteorological Society
Slyvester Dixon A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Sylvester Dixon became a charter fishing guide after the 1990s net ban, previously he was a commercial fisherman. From a young age, he honed his skills and knowledge of fishing, eventually becoming a guide fisherman with over 20 years of experience. 

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Boca Grande, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Howard Grimm A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Howard Grimm is the mayor of Everglades City. He has ample experience on the water as commercial and recreational fisherman, and he's also involved in the seafood industry. Traditionally, Red Tide events do not affect the Everglades City area, however Grimm recalls one event in the early 80's which occurred offshore. It was the worst one he personally experienced. 

Scope and Content Note

 Michael Jepson, Suzana Blake Everglades City, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Kenyon Ghandi A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

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

 Matt McPherson Panama City, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Scott Childress, Jim Zubrick, and Mark Kramer A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Scott Childress was born and raised in Tampa and started fishing at age fifteen, and as an adult got into recreational, then commercial spearfishing out of New Port Richey and, on occasion, Steinhatchee. His inshore fishery is Cedar Key to Tarpon Springs.

Scope and Content Note

 Michael Jepson Steinhatchee, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Tommy Locke A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Tommy Locke was born in Webster, Florida. He has been fishing his entire life but started his career in Homosassa as a charter captain.

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Boca Grande, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Al Durrett A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Al Durret is a Marina owner in Fort Myers Beach.  He has been in Fort Myers Beach for thirty-three years.  He sells shrimp as bait. 

Scope and Content Note 

 Amanda Stoltz Fort Myers, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Buster McKay A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Biographical Sketch:

Buster McKay is a seasoned fisherman who has been fishing throughout Florida's gulf coast since the late 1940s. He has been fishing Florida’s gulf coast since the early 1940s, commercially catching red snapper and grouper.

Scope and Content:

 Matt McPherson Panama City, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Ellis Dosher and Robert Bullard A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Robert Bullard and Ellis Dosher are both fishers from Florida. Born and raised on the east coast of Florida.

Scope and Content Note

Bullard and Dosher describe learning to fish at a very young age, continuing through their teens, and eventually starting their own gag grouper fishing business. They also refer to the fishing gear they use, fishing grounds, vessels, and the fishing community in eastern Florida.

 Michael Jepson Steinhatchee, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Van Hubbard A History of Red Tide events on the West Coast of Florida

Van Hubbard grew up in the Tampa Bay area. He used to net fish until the ban and got his captain’s license in 1976 and started chartering. He used to fish offshore but now he fishes inshore. His main target species are trout, redfish, king mackerel, kingfish, and Spanish mackerel. 

Scope and Content Note

 Amanda Stoltz Boca Grande, FL Southeast Fisheries Science Center
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