Random Bullet List

Today’s blog will be in bullet list form, since it’s all sort of random.

·         Part of training today was to watch an episode of Deadliest Catch.  Sounds like that will be a pretty common occurrence in class.

·         Crab fishing will not occur if the temperature is much less than 20°F.  This is because if it gets much colder, the crabs’ legs will fall off.  Literally.  (It’s called autotomy)

-       This means that Deadliest Catch greatly exaggerates when they announce, “working in -20 degree weather!”  No, you don’t work in -20° weather.

·         Snow crab (the one I’ll be primarily working with) can live to be about 14 years old.

·         Female crabs will carry an egg clutch for about 11 months before they hatch and swim away.

·         Not everything in this blog has been or will be true.  I am still learning, and don’t completely understand how things will go yet. 

-       Ex #1. Observers are not required on all fishing vessels.  It depends on which season it is.  Snow crab fishing only about 20% of the ships need observers.

-       Ex. #2.  I could be on the same ship with the same four or five guys for the next few months.  As long as it takes the ship to reach their quota of crab.  I probably won’t be lonely.  Most likely, I’ll be craving some privacy!

·         I won’t be able to post all of the pictures that I will want to share.  Nothing that could identify my ship, crew, or location, or be damaging to the reputation of the fishery.  Part of it is to protect the confidentiality of the captain and maintain the trust of the fishermen in the industry.  Another part is that it happens all too often that other people take pictures posted by observers and misrepresent them, using them to show how “evil” commercial fishing is.  I’ve actually been pretty impressed with how the fisheries are managed so far.  As I said, I’m still learning and this could change, but this is my impression.

·         One of my fellow trainees saw a moose run across the highway on her way to training this morning.

·         Groceries are more expensive in Alaska.  Especially dairy products.  My half gallon of milk was $2.99.  A small block of marble jack cheese $3.49.  And for some odd reason those Betty Crocker packages of cookie mix were $3 each…Pretty sure those were only 99 cents back home.

·         I don’t think they even bother trying to de-ice sidewalks.  It’d be a losing battle.

And that's the end!  For now.