Posted on January 27, 2012 - by Morgan Howard
Alaska Fishermen Battle Icy Winter
FV Kimberly aground in Portage Bay, Alaska
The Coast Guard rescued 11 fishermen from two different vessles in less than 24 hours in extreme weather conditions Wednesday, January 24th including the FV Kimberly pictured above. The entire of state of Alaska has been experiencing brutal weather conditions this winter. From record snowfalls in Valdez and Cordova to growing sea ice in the Bering Sea. Now, the Deadliest Catch fleet is threatened by the approaching ice pack.
According to the Anchorage Daily News, “Sea ice is encroaching unusually early on the central Bering Sea, threatening to grind Alaska’s economically important snow crab fishery to a halt at the peak of the season, leaving crabbers facing major losses.
Earlier-than-expected ice is moving south over prime crabbing grounds, forcing boats away from their catch and putting millions of dollars of equipment in jeopardy.
These kind of “mother nature effects” are part of the fishing business everywhere, said Karen Gillis, the executive director of the Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association.
But this fishery, which was expected to net 80 million pounds this year, hasn’t seen a natural event like this in 20 years, she said, and it could have a devastating economic impact on crabbers and their families.” Read much more on the story here.
According to Channel 2 news in Anchorage, “The NWS is fielding dozens of phone calls a day from crab fishermen, who are looking for an update on where the sea ice is at.
“Most people are picking their pots up and getting them out of harm’s way,” said Jim Stone, president of Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers.
Crab pots can cost over $1,000.
This year’s quota is 90 million pounds, which is a lot more than previous years.
Mid-January is the peak of the snow crab season in Alaska, but it opens in mid-October, and ends May 31.
Fishermen plan on waiting out the weather at local ports.
“A lot of wait and see, and realizing that things can change at any time,” Heather Fitch, the Dutch Harbor area biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said.” Watch a video newscast of the story here.
Apparently, a person walking the docks in St. Paul Harbor looking for a deckhand job captured this video of the FV Northwestern entering the harbor recently.
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January 27, 2012
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Susan said:
Be safe all of you guys,,prayers are with all you fisherman.Good luck & god bless..
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January 27, 2012
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Gena Alvarez said:
Hope you all are safe and full of opies!!!
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January 27, 2012
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Kimmie Lynn said:
I hop you have a safe and profitable season! God bless!
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January 27, 2012
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Teresa S Addison said:
It’s so cold and frozen there, I just wanted to say I have been trying to warm you, with prayers for all,to have each and every one of you safe and sound with God’s arms around you, and for a Blessed outcome for all!!
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January 27, 2012
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Ruth McKeon said:
My thoughts and prayers are with the fishermen on the Bering Sea. Good luck with the Opies. Be safe guys, and God speed.
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January 27, 2012
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G. Laverty said:
Take care guys and be safe. We all love and appreciate the dangers you face to put one of the tastiest dinners on our tables.
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January 27, 2012
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Missy Tuminello said:
Thought I would see some pots stacked up on the NW…wonder where they are keeping them. Glad to know they’re safe and it’s good to see the Early Dawn! And man, was the wind blowing or what!! Hi Morgan!!!!
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January 27, 2012
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Nora Mae Smith AKA Missy said:
Well ya should know by now to head south for the winter… but then again maybe I should of been the sparrow under the pile an d kept my mouth shut! Be safe men and bring in that ocean stuff well when ya can…
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January 28, 2012
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timmygb said:
Thanks for posting this. I’m a big fan of Deadliest Catch! So good to see recent footage of one of the stars of the show! Hope the fleet get back out soon and make big bucks- they deserve it!
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January 29, 2012
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janette said:
May the power of our hearts be with evryone out there. Hope the weather calms down. From one woman in n.y. toall of you brave men and women. Sincerely, Janette Gerace
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February 1, 2012
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Carolyn Hall said:
I hope the pots are full and the captains and crews come home safe and sound
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February 8, 2012
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Christiane Pfaender said:
Too darn cold for me. You fellows are brave to go out in that cold, cold water. Keep safe.
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February 8, 2012
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Martin Carpenter said:
good luck out there boys be safe and catch loads of crab
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February 16, 2012
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Marília said:
Deus os abençoe e proteja de tantas intempéries com saúde e vida longa….e se possível,…bem longe do cigarros…..rsrsrsrsrsrsrsrs
Tenham coragen , homens especiais, lutadores perseverantes….Tenham cuidados extras nesta temporada….Que hajam muitos anjos à volta de cada homem do mar…Deus os guarde e às suas famílias também!
Um abraço de um inverno ameno em Portugal.
Uma amiga brasileira, beijins