(no subject)
Mar. 12th, 2003 02:41 pmWhew! Nothing like measuring and sexing 45 thirty-lb. slimy, bloody, scaly, white seabass before lunch. My shoulders and my left bicep are tired. I had brought an written explanation of some regulations for the skipper and a map of the marine protected areas around the Channel Islands, which will be closed to fishing starting in April. He squinted at and had to slowly sound out the words. Well, as least he's making an effort to keep himself informed. It's been a hard job lately with so much changing.
I have never envied commercial fishermen their jobs. They have some of the hardest and riskiest working conditions and longest hours; I believe the industry has one of the highest mortality rate of any in the U.S.. But most of them stay with it because they love it and it's something that's been in the family. When their fathers and grandfathers started, they thought the sea was an unlimited resource with room for anyone who wanted to get into it. As with everything else, that not the case. I'm afraid it's a dying industry.
I have never envied commercial fishermen their jobs. They have some of the hardest and riskiest working conditions and longest hours; I believe the industry has one of the highest mortality rate of any in the U.S.. But most of them stay with it because they love it and it's something that's been in the family. When their fathers and grandfathers started, they thought the sea was an unlimited resource with room for anyone who wanted to get into it. As with everything else, that not the case. I'm afraid it's a dying industry.