Bering Sea Aleutian Islands Crab Fisheries

The harvest of Alaska king crabs in the North Pacific and Bering Sea reaches about 18 million pounds per year, one-tenth of the bonanza 1980s catch. While king crab stocks are recovering from the crash, efforts such as this book on standardizing data collection promise to further improve fishery management. Geared to fishery observers, shoreside samplers, shellfish researchers, and fishermen, the book is illustrated with line drawings, maps, and numerous color photos, and it is printed on waterproof paper. Topics include taxonomy, life history, distribution, anatomy, and diseases. The authors are expert crab biologists at Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the agency responsible for managing the crab fishery.

Part documentary, part reality-television, the story of the Deadliest Catch’s Alaskan crab fishermen risking their lives in the Bering Sea to make a buck and feed their families has captivated the world. Giving the Finger follows the life of the spirited young captain who has emerged as one of the most talked-about figures on the show, Scott Campbell Jr., who leads the crew of the Seabrooke. As this book--a prequel to Junior’s ascent to fame--shows, the trials of crabbing are not limited to living at sea and working the most dangerous job on the planet, but carry over to family and friends, and are usually stormier than the Bering. Junior began his life as a fisherman in the shadow of his father, Scott Campbell Sr., and has struggled consistently to gain his own reputation as a captain. Arguably, one of the best fishermen working the waters today, Campbell Jr. has certainly done that, but not without sacrifice, of all sorts. Campbell has divorced and re-married the same woman three times, endured handicapping injuries and lost crew members to the icy waters of the north. Giving the Finger gives a first person account of these losses and the everyday fight for life and love, and shows that by hard work and perseverance, even a kid from Walla Walla, Washington, can become a star.