Captain Ed Hurst specializes in fly fishing and light tackle backwater fishing for snook, redfish, trout and tarpon. He has lived in Sarasota since 1956 and I has been guiding for over 30 years. 

Scope and Content Note

Ed Little is a seasoned fisherman with extensive knowledge and experience in the marine ecosystem and fisheries. His insights are drawn from his personal observations and experiences in the field, particularly in the Key West area. Little has witnessed firsthand the changes in the marine ecosystem and the impact of increased human activity on water and fish populations. His expertise extends to the understanding of the behavior of various fish species, their abundance, size, and the presence of parasites and abnormalities in certain species.

Ed Swift is a seasoned businessman who has spent over four decades residing in the Keys. His life has been deeply intertwined with the waters surrounding the Keys, with experiences ranging from diving to fishing. Swift's passion for marine life was inherited from his father, a diver and journalist, who played a significant role in the charter boat fishing industry in Marathon. Swift's childhood memories are filled with fishing adventures in Marathon, which have shaped his understanding and appreciation of the marine ecosystem.

Eddie Barnhill is a third-generation fisherman and the owner of Barnhill Fisheries. He has a deep passion for fishing and is committed to preserving historical knowledge and protecting the fishing industry's future. Eddie is concerned about the challenges posed by factors like overfishing, water quality issues, and climate change, and advocates for proper management and conservation efforts to ensure a sustainable future for the fishing community and marine ecosystems.

Scope and Content Note

Dr. Edward Klima was born on July 30, 1934, in Catskill, New York. He began working for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries in 1962 as a shrimp biologist. He spent time in the Panama City Lab working on gear research before moving to the Pascagoula Lab. He spent 4 years in Washington D.C. where he worked on the drafting the legislation for the 200 mile limit which became the Magnuson Stevens Act. He returned to the Galveston Lab as the Lab Director in 1977 until his retirement in 1992.

Dr. Ed Rappaport was born in 1957 in Southern California. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington.  Ed then received his Ph.D. with an emphasis in Atmospheric Science from Texas Tech University.  Dr. Rappaport began at NHC as a post-doctoral fellow for the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.

Elizabeth Pearson Jones talks about her family history and a 1921 hurricane.

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.

Dr. Eric Barron is a renowned geologist and oceanographer who has made significant contributions to the field of Earth System Science. His interest in geology began as early as third grade, and he pursued this passion through his undergraduate studies at Florida State University, where he also had the opportunity to take graduate classes in oceanography. He continued his academic journey at the University of Miami, where he completed his graduate studies in oceanography. Dr.

Captain Jack Burleson, known as "Capt. Jack," was born in 1922.  He was drafted from the Coast Guard into the Army during World War II.  After the war, he held various roles, including a dive instructor in Marathon, guiding divers in the Florida Keys, and a versatile handyman, carpenter, taxi driver, and dog trainer. Jack was also an artist and painted with acrylics on unconventional canvases like sea beans and driftwood.