Will Ward is a seasoned fisherman and marine industry expert with over five decades of experience in Florida's coastal waters. From his early years working on boats as a teenager to becoming a licensed US Coast Guard Captain and running fishing charters, commercial boats, and seafood companies, Will has honed his expertise across various fisheries. He is a Florida native, with a family history spanning five generations in the state.

Scope and Content Note

Will Ward discusses how his involvement in the fishery began in the mid to late 1970s when he worked on boats and in dock arenas, engaging in commercial fishing, charter fishing, and recreational fishing. Will describes fishing in various regions, including the Gulf, South Atlantic, Caribbean, and New England, dealing with a diverse range of fish species. Will shares that his first memory of red tide comes from his father, who recounted experiencing fish kills due to red tide during the warmer months. Will discusses the increasing severity and duration of red tide events he has witnessed over the past five decades. He believes that red tide occurrences have intensified and spread to more locations, affecting both inshore and offshore areas.

In particular, Will discusses a recent red tide event in 2018, which he ranks as one of the worst he has seen. Will emphasizes that red tide events have become more frequent and prolonged in recent years, posing challenges to fishery resources and coastal communities. He provides a list of various species, including sea trout, redfish, catfish, pinfish, grunts, dolphins, turtles, manatees, and more, that have been affected by red tide blooms. Will expresses concern about the increasing frequency and severity of red tide events and their potential long-term consequences on Florida's coastal waters and fishing industry. He emphasizes the need to address water quality, habitat loss, and other environmental factors to mitigate the effects of red tide and protect marine ecosystems.