Appreciating the little things is a vital life practice. It’s in this spirit that I offer my latest published article in Fishermen’s News magazine and a delightful short film about Steinbeck’s Western Flyer—of which I’ve won an award for writing about—featuring the talents of the one and only, Ron Swanson! Erm, I mean, Nick Offerman.
Seafood Snacks
Sometimes one writes to change the world, but in this case I spotlight a few of the new Alaska and Pacific Northwest-based seafood products that triumphed in the regional seafood competition Alaska Symphony of Seafood. These companies/products are advancing to a final seafood smackdown in Boston at the national Seafood Expo North America.
Sockeye nuggets and IPA beer battered fish sticks. Sea cucumber chips and black cod pâté. There are many innovative goodies in here, several from small indie seafood professionals trying something new. I’m particularly drawn to the black cod pâté from local Whidbey Island Seafood Company. According to my source, the pâté uses back meat from the cod that is normally inaccessible to processing and wasted. They figured out how to extract the meat for their pâté and voila! Tasty food, less fish waste.
I wish these folks all the best in the upcoming competition. There is a lot of worry in the region’s industry these days. I should probably go into it in depth here sometime, but commercial fisherman have largely had their butts kicked this season. Why? Turns out, the market on land has been the pain point for most. Salmon prices in particular cratered mid-season this last summer at historic levels.
And why could that be? Well, Trident Seafood is among the industry players that point to the Ukrainian-Russian War. The argument goes like this. Sanctions fall upon Russia post Ukrainian invasion. Naturally sanctions cut both ways: No Russian fish for The West, no American fish for The Russosphere. But Russia launches a “salmon for bullets” policy to fund the war, lifting most regulations to harvest vast amounts of fish for their economy. But how do they get all the fish to market when sanctioned? China. Russian fish goes to China for processing and suddenly there’s “Made in China” salmon that floods the market, cratering the price (supply and demand at work). American salmon fishermen take a brutal haircut upon delivery, despite good fish stock numbers in many fisheries like Bristol Bay.
But while the backdrop of a tempestuous war and capitalism storm rages, we can at least appreciate creative new seafood treats. They are tasty and not laundered through China. Check out the full article here, every purchase helps out the industry.
Western Flyer Film
I was very honored and pleased that my Passagemaker article about the Western Flyer of John Steinbeck fame won a category first place in the annual Boat Writers International writing competition. But I confess, the story of the venerable old boat and the humans who sailed her is one that I could only mess up. Clearly there is a natural magnetism to this storytelling well that has even attracted the one and only Nick Offerman. This short film was recently released by The Western Flyer Foundation. Take a wholesome 10 minutes and give it a listen.
This is good nourishing stuff, folks! As an early career author, I think about John Steinbeck declaring the end of his novelist career after moralizing mobs threatened him with violence post Grapes of Wrath publication. Cancelled, one might say? As a former oceanographer and forever science lover, I think of Steinbeck’s and Ricketts’ advice to appreciate the oneness of the universe by looking to the tide pool, the cosmos, and back again. As a person among boats, I reflect on the idea of us “receiving a boat shaped mind” while our boats receive “man shape soul(s)”.
There is a lot of goodness here, a sort “touching grass” effect that is needed now more than ever. I think I baffle some people from my social circle with my fascination with boats and going to sea and the human beings involved in such enterprises. At its core, I’m attracted to these things because when I write and learn about them—really understand on an empathetic level—I am filled with the overwhelming reassurance that we the human race shall endure, both in body and spirit.
A Tease!
I spent some time this last week away from my Ballard HQ with one of Cascadia’s great legacy boatbuilders for an article. I can’t spoil the whole damn story here, but if you can recognize him you’ll be in on the hint. Unbeknownst to most, this mighty fellow is the new go-to builder for the Suquamish tribe’s canoes. He is also planning a great Alaskan adventure as he turns 70.
Consider buying my book, Salmon in the Seine: Alaskan Memories of Life, Death, & Everything In-Between! Available wherever books are sold, including Amazon, Powell’s City of Books, and Third Place Books. It’s won eight notable independent/small press book awards, so hey, it can’t be that bad, amirite?