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October 19, 2003The end is in sightABOARD THE F/V EXITO, BRISTOL BAY, BERING SEA -- Today at noon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced that the Bristol Bay red king crab season would close Monday at 6 p.m. The department manages the fishery and set this year's limit at 14.5 million pounds. Each year, mid-season, the department takes the pulse of the crab fleet and decides when it will hit the limit. The captains and the crew of the F/V Exito had mixed reactions. They are dead on their feet exhausted and would like to go home. But the harvest so far generally is a disappointment. A few more days out and a few more crab means a bit more money for everyone. My reaction was nether conflicted nor ambiguous: Hallelujah. I've spent enough time in Bristol Bay's spin cycle. From the look in photographer Karen Ducey's eyes, I'd guess she feels the same way. Weather-wise, this is one of the worst king crab seasons in recent years, with nearly constant gale winds and mountainous swells. Not to mention the sideways snowstorm last night. This morning with everyone busy, I pitched in and cooked breakfast. The entrée: breakfast burritos. The crew appeared to like them for the 45 seconds they lingered to wolf them down. As the deck crew shuffled past me from the warm galley and back outside into the frigid air, Jeff Madigan, chief engineer, said "Thank you." At least that's what I think he said. Same syllables, anyway. Posted by Mike Lewis at October 19, 2003 06:05 PMComments
Just want to thank you as well. I've been married to a crab captain for many years so I'm pretty use to this drill--though its always challenging. The weather has made it tough even for his bigger boat. We have email and phone so I stay pretty up to date. Its been rewarding to read about our industry both in the paper and online. You had a picture of some of our crew in your first spread. My husbands boat is the Bella K and they will now head to Adak for another King opening (much smaller quota and only a few boats) Maybe you guys would like to go? Just kidding... really article. the they. Posted by: teen rape at May 16, 2004 01:41 PMPost a comment
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Mike Lewis has been a reporter at the Seattle P-I for 3 1/2 years. This was his first trip to Alaska.
Karen Ducey became a staff photographer at the P-I earlier this year. Before joining the paper, she worked in and photographed Alaska's commercial fishing industry for more than a decade.
