Life on Alaska's Largest Deep-sea Trawler: A Journey into the Fish Factory on the High Seas
Table of Contents
The Northern Eagle: Technologically Advanced Deep Sea Trawler
Overview of the Northern Eagle
The Northern Eagle is a deep-sea trawler renowned for its advanced technology and impressive fishing capabilities. Measuring 345 feet in length and 52 feet in width, this marine behemoth is essentially a floating fish processing plant. It has the capacity to freeze and process over 200 tons of fish daily, making it a vital vessel for the American Seafood company, which heavily relies on it as its largest supplier of Pollock.
Fishing Seasons and Catch Quotas
Despite its immense fishing capacity, the Northern Eagle operates under strict regulations set by the Fisheries Department. Fishing seasons and catch quotas are strictly governed to ensure sustainable fishing practices. Even with vast amounts of fishing, the Alaska Pollock caught by the Northern Eagle only accounts for about 15 percent of the total Pollock population in the Bering Sea. This careful management ensures the preservation of the Pollock population and the sustainability of the fishing industry.
Life on the Northern Eagle
Captain Jens and the Crew
At the helm of the Northern Eagle is Captain Jens, a seasoned fishing industry veteran with 31 years of experience. He leads a crew of 140 members who rely on the quantity of fish they catch for their income. A month-long fishing expedition on the high seas can earn each crew member up to fifteen thousand dollars. It is a challenging but potentially lucrative profession, attracting individuals who are willing to endure the harsh conditions and perils of the Bering Sea.
High Seas Fishing Expedition
The Northern Eagle embarks on its fishing expeditions in the frozen wilderness of Alaska, far removed from any mainland. With bone-chilling cold and temperatures plunging as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit, the crew faces the harsh northern gales and icy conditions. The expedition lasts for six to seven months, with the peak of the Alaska Pollock's spawning season in January presenting the perfect fishing opportunity. However, the competition is fierce, with 60 to 70 fishing boats vying for the plentiful catch.
Challenges and Perils of Fishing in Alaska
The Frozen Wilderness of Alaska
Fishing in Alaska is not for the faint-hearted. The frozen wilderness, with its harsh climate and remote location, poses numerous challenges for fishermen like those on the Northern Eagle. The crew braves bone-chilling temperatures and navigates through treacherous northern gales. Isolated from any mainland, they must rely on their skills, experience, and the expertise of Captain Jens to navigate the icy waters.
Navigating the Bering Sea
The Bering Sea presents its own set of perils. With winds of force 10 and waves reaching over 30 feet high, the Bering Sea is known for its stormy conditions. The crew must be prepared for these dangerous seas, and any malfunction or issue during navigation could spell disaster. The Northern Eagle's engineers meticulously inspect and repair every component to ensure a safe and successful fishing expedition.
The Art of Deep Sea Trawling
Scanning the Sea Floor
To locate the desired Pollock swimming at depths between 328 to 1968 feet, the Northern Eagle relies on sonar technology. This advanced scanning technique allows the crew to conduct a 360-degree sweep around the ship, scanning the sea floor for the presence of Pollock. Once the fish are detected, the captain swiftly initiates the net lowering procedure to begin the fishing process.
Lowering the Fishing Net
The crew on deck carefully lowers the fishing net to the sea floor, extending it to a depth of about 1640 feet and over half a mile away. Tension sensors attached to the tail of the net monitor its load, ensuring it does not exceed its capacity. A single cast of this net can yield up to 200 tons of deep-sea Pollock, making it a crucial step in the fishing process.
Hauling in the Catch
Once the fishing net is deployed and filled with fish, the crew begins the process of hauling in the catch. As the net is raised to the surface, excitement and anticipation build among the crew. The net's entry point is equipped with a camera, capturing footage of the fish swarm entering the net. The crew carefully unties the rope of the net, allowing the catch to flow into the processing factory below.
Fish Processing Onboard
The Onboard Factory
The Northern Eagle's processing plant, located on the lower deck, rivals terrestrial factories in scale. It is a fully-equipped fish processing facility capable of handling 100,000 Pollock per hour. The catch undergoes various processes, including sorting, cleaning, flash freezing, and boxing. The factory operates at maximum capacity, with 90 crew members working diligently to process the fish.
Processing the Pacific Cod
Of the fish caught by the Northern Eagle, 95 percent consists of deep-sea Pacific cod, with other fish species making up the remaining five percent. The workers in the factory first sort the fish by size, followed by automated decapitation and manual deboning and skinning. The processing rate is impressive, with 100,000 Pacific cod processed per hour. The government regulations strictly prohibit the catching of any fish species other than Pacific cod.
Government Regulations and Inspections
To ensure compliance with government regulations, a government inspector supervises the entire fish processing operation on board the Northern Eagle. The inspector ensures that the catch is properly sorted, processed, and stored. This oversight guarantees that only Pacific cod is processed and that the fish products meet the required standards for distribution.
Income and Profitability
The Importance of Catch Size
The income of the crew members on the Northern Eagle is directly linked to the quantity of fish they catch. The size of the catch plays a crucial role in determining the crew's earnings. Larger fish, such as the Pacific cod, fetch higher prices and generate more profit. On the other hand, smaller fish take up valuable storage space and result in lower income. The captain's expertise and decision-making skills are vital in navigating to areas with larger, more lucrative catches.
Value-Added Fish Products
Apart from the primary revenue generated from selling the processed Pacific cod, the Northern Eagle also produces value-added fish products. These products include fish sticks, patties, imitation crab meat, fish oil, and fertilizer products made from fish heads and bones. The production of these additional products contributes to the ship's overall income and profitability.
Conclusion
Fishing on the Northern Eagle is an exciting and rewarding but also challenging and perilous endeavor. The advanced technology and expertise of the crew allow them to navigate the icy waters of Alaska and fish in the Bering Sea. Strict regulations ensure sustainable fishing practices, and the crew's dedication and hard work contribute to their overall income and profitability. Despite the challenges, the Northern Eagle continues to be a symbol of the fishing industry's resilience and determination in the face of nature's harshest conditions.
Highlights
- The Northern Eagle is a technologically advanced deep-sea trawler known for its impressive fishing capabilities.
- Fishing on the Northern Eagle is a challenging and potentially lucrative profession, attracting individuals willing to endure the harsh conditions of the Bering Sea.
- The frozen wilderness of Alaska and the stormy conditions of the Bering Sea pose numerous challenges for the crew of the Northern Eagle.
- Scanning the sea floor and lowering the fishing net are crucial steps in the deep-sea trawling process.
- The onboard processing factory of the Northern Eagle is a fully-equipped facility capable of processing 100,000 Pollock per hour.
- The income of the crew members is directly linked to the quantity of fish they catch, with larger fish generating higher profits.
- The Northern Eagle also produces value-added fish products, contributing to its overall income and profitability.
FAQ
Q: How long does a fishing expedition on the Northern Eagle last?
A: A fishing expedition on the Northern Eagle typically lasts for six to seven months.
Q: What is the role of the government inspector on the Northern Eagle?
A: The government inspector supervises the fish processing operation on board the Northern Eagle to ensure compliance with regulations and quality standards.
Q: What are some of the challenges faced by the crew of the Northern Eagle?
A: The crew faces challenges such as navigating icy waters, enduring bone-chilling temperatures, and repairing any malfunctions or issues that arise during the fishing expedition.
Q: How is the income of the crew members determined?
A: The income of the crew members is directly linked to the quantity and size of the fish they catch, particularly larger and more valuable species such as Pacific cod.
Q: What are some of the value-added fish products produced by the Northern Eagle?
A: The Northern Eagle produces a variety of value-added fish products, including fish sticks, patties, imitation crab meat, fish oil, and fertilizers made from fish heads and bones.
