Alaska-Inspired
Sitka Nature: An Aspiring Naturalist Learns His Place
Trollart: The Artwork of Ray Troll
Friends of the Fleet
Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association
Patrick Dixon, Writer/Photographer
More of Us Than It Seems (Women in Fishing)
Highliners and Homecomings: Five Generations of Commercial Fishing and Family
Pick Fish Tales: Adventures of a Woman Commercial Fishing in Alaska
The Fishing Blues: Tales of a Fishing Family
Sustainability
Food Voices: Stories of the Food Sovereignty Movement
Tele Aadsen:
Since you want to stand up for OWS and consider yourself part of the “99%” I ask you to lead by example…take the number of people you meet at the next protest you attend and divide you income equally between them. Isn’t this what you are asking the other “1%” to do?
[Curious Hooked readers: Joe is referring to Nov. 4th’s post, “On Speaking Up: Why I Support Occupy.” Please visit that post for the context of this discussion.]
I don’t know what generation you hail from, Joe, but I was born in 1977. So my historical perspective is limited to what my elders have shared. My dad’s described an American value that dominated his WWII-era childhood: sacrifice. Then as now, the troops obviously sacrificed – their time, well-being, and, often, their lives. He recalls another, equally strong cultural narrative: that everyone at home would do their part. People willingly chose to do without, knowing that it was for America’s greater good.
Sacrifice as a national value is not something I’ve seen in my lifetime. Last week’s big headline was the family who chose to spend $10 million on a wedding, only to divorce 72 days later. This week, it’s revelations of 30 major corporations who’ve paid no income taxes in the past 3 years, while raking in over $160 billion amongst them. Hedgefund managers make millions by manipulating financial markets. CEO’s ditch failing companies, with golden parachute benefits clenched tightly in their fists. Public universities pay coaches millions. When did these examples take over as representing dominant values?
Those college sports’ teams success depends on the team’s overall strength. I wonder, is our nation’s strength so different? Our families, communities and states are only as strong as our weakest links. The past 30 years have seen tax loopholes catering to the wealthiest few, the middle class disappearing, and the poverty gap escalating to an insurmountable chasm. Meanwhile, the US construes about 4% of the world population. If we plan to keep dominating global policies based on the interests of a very small minority of that 4%…. Well, doesn’t seem like a particularly sustainable plan to me.
Let’s bring this home to Hooked. Fishermen know a thing or two about sacrifice. Alaska has carefully managed its salmon stocks, and our seasons are broken up by mandated closures to ensure that enough salmon make it up the rivers. Yes, those closures inevitably seem to be scheduled when the biggest kings are right out front and the weather’s at its best, and of course we’d all love to catch more. But more than that, I’d love to have a strong industry over the next few decades. It’s a no-brainer that all of us who are benefiting from the fishery would contribute to the future of our industry and the resources – even if it means losing some fishing time this year. These are Fish & Game regulated closures, so it’s not like we’re highly-evolved martyrs who graciously bow out for the sake of the species. This is law. And I wonder, if these closures weren’t required, would I have such an agreeable, futuristic view? If I had two fuel-ups on the credit card bill and a mortgage to pay? And if the guy in the stall next to me said he didn’t give a damn about next year, he just needed to catch fish now, would my beliefs be enough to keep me at the dock, watching him go slay what could have been my share?
Hooked’s subtitle is, “One woman at sea, trolling for truth.” Truth is a different beast for all of us, and it’s something I wrestle with a lot here. I don’t have answers for anyone else, just a lot of questions for myself. How can I contribute to a culture of well-being and sustainability? What legacy will I choose to leave? Me, I want to live by values of compassion, engagement, and community, but I acknowledge these words mean different things to different people.
If you made it through this whole “comment,” Joe, my hat’s off to you. My best wishes in your search for your own truth.
Re your article “Vanishing boats…” . I found your comments about the disappearance of the Lady Cecelia quite touching when looking for information about the loss of my cousin’s son Luke. Also an interesting insight into life on the sea in your part of the world. Thanks.
Reg Hesketh
England
Reg, I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. If this post can extend a gesture of comfort across the Atlantic, condolences from the many strangers who are keeping your family, and the other survivors, in our thoughts and hearts, then I’m grateful. My best wishes to you and yours.