Oculina Bank Oral History Project
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Interviewer
Terry L. Howard
Publication Date
10-19-2010
Date
2010-07-20
Abstract
Oral history interview with commercial fisherman Gary Mills. Mills, a native of Fort Pierce, began commercial fishing in the 1970s. The Oculina Bank was his primary fishing spot. It was where he learned to fish, and he was one of the most accomplished fishermen in the area. In 1994, when bottom fishing for grouper and snapper was prohibited in the Oculina Bank, Mills' business took a major hit. By 1998, he had stopped fishing commercially. In Mills' opinion, the regulations are the most restrictive to commercial fishermen, but the recreational sector receives very little attention. He points out that there are many more sport fishing boats, compared to only a few commercial boats. They are rarely inspected or fined, and the fines are much smaller than they would be for a commercial boat. For this reason, closed areas are ineffective. In this interview, he also recounts his personal fishing history.
Keywords
Fisheries, Fishers, Fishery closures, Fishery management
Extent
00:37:33; 20 page transcript
Subject: geographic
Ft. Pierce (Fla.)
Language
English
Media Type
Oral histories
Format
Digital Only
Identifier
O6-00034
Recommended Citation
Mills, Gary, "Gary Mills Oral History Interview" (2010). Oculina Bank Oral History Project. 9.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/oculina_ohp/9
Rights Statement
