A SECOND FAMILY
You spend days out at sea, isolated from family, friends and home comforts. You work in extreme conditions, experiencing some of the worst weather in the world. And you face stressful situations that would test the mental strength of any man.
This is life as a fisherman. So you’d better make sure to get along with the men you share a boat with.
Fortunately for Reed Rousar, captain of the 270ft F/V Seattle Enterprise, he’s known the men he works with for a long time. ‘I’ve worked with guys for 20 years and you’re almost like a family. It’s a great environment and they take care of you’.
THE CREW IS CRUCIAL
Looking out for each other is a mainstay of life as a fisherman. Livelihoods – even lives – depend on the dedication, support and caring attitude of the crew.
Roy Olsen is captain of the F/V Pacific Viking, a 127ft trawl catcher vessel. He started as deck boss 21 years ago, then became night driver, then moved up to captain. He was part of the crew, so he knows the importance of having a good one – one you can trust wholeheartedly. His message is simple, yet says everything. ‘I am nothing without my crew. Without them, I couldn’t do this’.
LOYAL TO THE LIFE
Talk to a fisherman and you’ll immediately be moved by the unwavering loyalty; to the fishing way of life; to the captain and the crew; to fellow fishermen; and to companies like Trident Seafoods, who partner with a number of boats and supply Birds Eye with Alaska pollock.
Jeff Crain is captain of F/V Sovereignty, a 165ft trawl catcher vessel. He’s been a fisherman for 35 years, ‘There’s a ton of loyalty,’ he says, ‘Especially with Trident and the other catcher boats.
LOYAL TO THE FISH
The level of care and protection fishermen have for each other is matched only by their love for the oceans they work on and the fish they catch.
‘I think wild Alaska pollock is one of the best fish you can get,’ says Reed Rousar.’ I eat it every day on the boat and my kids love it – I have to bring home a case every time I come home.
Each captain is proud to be part of a sustainable fishery, adopting the role of protectors of the source and declaring Alaska pollock fishing in the Bering Sea as the best run in the world.
"It’s great to hear that guys like this, with so much experience behind them, have so much confidence in the future of fishing. Roy Olsen leaves us with this simple message – ‘Seafood is our future. Eat lots of seafood, stay healthy."
MORE FISHERMAN STORIES
Imagine sailing the seas at all hours, in all weathers, facing down Mother Nature to bring home the freshest fish. Our fishermen, just like The Captain, eat the cold for breakfast, washed down with a glug of driving rain. So make yourself a fish finger sandwich, pull up a chair and put yourself in the ice-cold boots of those who brave the oceans.
