3 minute read
Editor’s Log
Editor’s Log When the wind blows
Jessica Hathaway
Editor in Chief jhathaway@divcom.com
W
hether or not shermen have a seat at the table where their livelihoods are being discussed is a recurring theme. But it has become a searing pain point in the last 18 months, as the industry has been saddled by regulatory hoops and the added expenses that have come with reinventing market access across the board to secure domestic food supplies and reroute around the collapsed restaurant and foodservice industries.
While shermen were navigating multiple learning curves to access customers on social media, package their catch to be familyfriendly, get permitted to make direct sales, and even get permission to cut their own sh for customers, they were also attending more meetings (can’t say no if it’s on Zoom, right?), preparing materials for lawsuits over pot gear, ghting recreational shing interests on quota allocations, coping with pandemic-related delays for gear and parts, and ghting for waterfront access in a booming residential real estate market that drove people out of cities and into smaller towns across the country.
But wait, that’s not all! The drive to develop o shore wind power has created an unusual maelstrom of eco-consciousness fueled by oil companies and a federal government eager to make a splash with alternative energy. Once again, mixing with better-funded players, shermen are left begging for a seat at the table.
NF Associate Editor Kirk Moore has kept a tight beat on o shore wind. He provides an extended update on the wind industry’s swift and expansive march to o shore development. Read the story on page 18.
When you’re in an actual blow, you might nd yourself zeroing in on your hatches, windows and doors. Boats & Gear Editor Paul Molyneaux’s deck equipment feature highlights some of the new xtures going into a pair of powerhouse Bering Sea boats — F/V Wizard and F/V Progress — that both faced the consequences of big seas blowing out wheelhouse windows. But window and hatch upgrades aren’t just for the big boats, as Paul notes. Trusted and established manufacturers make durable and reliable products in a full range of sizes, price points and materials. Read the full feature on page 22.
Speaking of big Bering Sea boats, the F/V Keta launched from Fred Wahl Marine Construction in Oregon at the end of the summer with a major addition. Check out the story on page 26.
In the meantime, catch us on www. national sherman.com and follow us on Facebook for updates on Expo in Seattle this fall. Registration goes live soon!
On the cover
Equipped with a crane built and designed by Fred Wahl, the lengthened F/V Keta will be able to handle more Bering Sea crab pots and quota.
Fred Wahl Marine Construction photo Facebook for updates on Expo in Seattle this fall. Registration goes live soon!
In partnership with Pacifi c Marine Expo
The largest commercial marine trade show on the West Coast, serving commercial mariners from Alaska to California.
www.pacifi cmarineexpo.com
PUBLISHER: Bob Callahan EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Jeremiah Karpowicz EDITOR IN CHIEF: Jessica Hathaway ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Kirk Moore BOATS & GEAR EDITOR: Paul Molyneaux PRODUCTS EDITOR: Brian Hagenbuch ART DIRECTOR: Doug Stewart NORTH PACIFIC BUREAU CHIEF: Charlie Ess FIELD EDITORS: Larry Chowning, Michael Crowley CORRESPONDENTS: Samuel Hill, John DeSantis, Maureen Donald, Dayna Harpster, Sierra Golden, John Lee, Caroline Losneck, Nick Rahaim ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: Wendy Jalbert / wjalbert@divcom.com / Tel. (207) 842-5616 GROUP SALES DIRECTOR: Christine Salmon / csalmon@divcom.com / Tel. (207) 842-5530 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: (800) 842-5603 classi eds@divcom.com
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Theodore Wirth, President & CEO | Mary Larkin, President, Diversi ed Communications USA Diversi ed Communications | 121 Free St., Portland, ME 04112 (207) 842-5500 • Fax (207) 842-5503 • www.divcom.com © 2021 Diversi ed Business Communications If you prefer not to receive such mailings, please send a copy of your mailing label to: National Fisherman PO Box 176, Lincolnshire IL 60069.
