Clear into the Future




	IMPORTANCE OF THE RIVER History of the River History of Hagley The River's Uses About the Estuary The Impact of the River on Commerce THE WORKING RIVER Interview with the People Working on the River History of Delaware Ports Delaware River Cargo Map of Delaware River Ports How Do Ports Function THE LIVING RIVER The Species in and Around the River Challenges Facing our Estuary Community About the Clean Water Act National Estuary Programs How Can I Help Delaware Costal Conditions About Watersheds

Interview the People Working on the River

Charlie Aumand
Waterman

Q. What does the term “working river” mean to you?
A. No one has ever used that term with him. He is unfamiliar with the phrase “working river.”

Q. What does the river mean to you?
A. The river provides not only his livelihood, but it represents his entire past. His father fished on it when he was a kid, and he grew up on the river all his life. The river means family time and memories to him. In Charlie’s mind, there’s two ways to look at the river – you can enjoy the tranquility of it and have peace of mind or you can use it for work.

Q. How does the river affect your business?
A. Without the river, his trade/job would not exist. He depends on the river for all aspects of his job. It means everything to him. The majority of the 100 watermen in the state of Delaware, including himself, make the majority of their living off the river (e.g. by fishing, crabbing, pulling any type of living resource out of the river for business purposes).

Q. Job Description:
A. Charlie is licensed to do just about everything a waterman could possibly do. This time of year (during the Spring Rush) he is out catching rock fish with his crew of 3 members. He is also a local distributor, located right next to the DuPont Nature Center on the Mispillion Harbor. His distribution area ranges from Virginia to Massachusettes, and he distributes mainly to major fish markets.

Q. Describe your working conditions.
A. Charlie works outside all day, every day. He sees nothing but sky and water. He works in rain, wind, snow, or shine.

Q. What is your greatest day-to-day challenge?
A. Keeping tradition alive. With all the new state regulations and laws, it is hard to do things the same way as in the past. Charlie faces many challenges in dealing with state laws and regulations, such as which members of his team can perform certain tasks legally, what days he is legally allowed to go out fishing, etc.

Q. How could people help support your efforts?
A. Again, the laws and regulations are the biggest challenge, so is people could help him combat these laws, it would allow him to do his job more efficiently.

Q. Who does your work benefit?
A. The 110 fishing families in the area, the entire tourism business, and just about everyone who eats fish and seafood. His work supplies the tourism business more than people imagine – just think when you go to the beach and go out to dinner at a seafood restaurant, Charlie is the one providing that food you are eating.

Q. If you could wave a magic wand, what could people do to help preserve the estuary community and the area in which you work every day?
A. In response to Dawn Webb’s answer, Charlie would not necessarily stop the growth from happening, but he would want to control it. He says you cannot stop progress, but you can control how it grows so that it does not run wild. He does not want the creations of developments, etc. to make living on the water impossible in years to come. He wants next generations to be able to enjoy the river and the land around it.

Q. If you could give advice to someone who wants to work in your profession, what would it be?
A. His job is hard work. You have to love what you do and love water and the outdoors in order to be able to do his job every day. You must be prepared to work a lot of hours and you can’t be disappointed and give up if you don’t bring in a large catch every time you go out fishing. Patience is key.

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