Fishstock: Reason Rather than Riots

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Kodiak, Alaska   

The dark clouds had not gathered. The drunken wave of howling bearded fishermen, brandishing knives and nooses, had not broken upon a wall of riot geared policemen.

Instead, the smoky smell of grilled rockfish and reds drifted through the sweet warm air of a sunny summer afternoon. Kodiakans of all kinds sipped sodas and listened to the piped-in testimony of their fellows while patiently waiting to speak for themselves. Chef Montero dished up black cod collars and bratwursts with equal flair. The Crewmen's Association barbeque, Fishstock, was a pleasantly rousing success, even without the riot.

Across the parking lot, in the High School Commons, the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council shifted uncomfortably in their luxurious plastic cafeteria chairs. The full day scheduled for public comment on Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Rationalization had filled up and spilled over. An hour past their 5 o'clock quitting time, twenty five people still waited to be heard, with more still trying to sign up as they hurried in after work. The public had been passionate and pertinent and persistent about the push to privatize.

They hate it. And the Council heard the message.

Although many expressed optimism about a slower, more "rational" fishery, ninety percent had grave concerns about how they intend to "rationalize" Gulf Groundfish (For more details see reports from Laine Welch and Steve Taufen). The few who publicly supported it are those ready to profit from it- their comments are notable for their lack of plain speaking. "This is a very complex issue" which involves "global market realities". We must find "efficiencies within the industry" and "impact critical timelines". The citizens of Kodiak have come to understand that this translates to: "We need to take your money, and we need to do it right now." The rest I think are best represented by something said by Curt Waters:

"If I came into your home and took away your ability to feed your family, how would you feel? I'm putting you on notice that you are in my home."

In the end Madame Chair gave last call for those who hadn't spoken and couldn't show up in the morning for the extended session. I bolted across the parking lot, nearly knocking over Steve Taufen, who was dressed in traditional Japanese silks and sandals. Sitting nervously before the Red Queen, I croaked my comment through an increasingly dry mouth (No pitcher of water-Conspiracy! Conspiracy!) I try to express my understanding of ideas I ripped off from Seth Macinko and David Bromley in their paper "Property and Fisheries in the Twenty First Century" (See John Enge's column from May 4th), in which they call into question the legal basis for awarding ownership to wild resources, which, by definition, can't be owned by anyone.

Finishing my flawless web of crystalline logic, I see that one of the Councilors wants to see me after class: Ah! Commissioner Campbell, who has so often been the subject of my piquant wit (In the form of schoolyard name calling- a lost art). I glance nervously toward the armed guards. Stay close, boys, I smell trouble.

Ambling over, Commissioner Campbell admits that he hasn't had time to read my stuff yet.

"I wouldn't bother." I tell him, "Noodlings of a deranged mind. Only weirdos and the fringe element read that stuff. You know-- Democrats."

He had heard that I had cast his work with mining in a poor light. He took the time to fill me in on some of the details. It sounded pretty typical, as far as I could tell. Then he reassured me that Kodiak had been heard. And that the State wasn't as eager to sacrifice its citizens as we might think.

I am skeptical. I've learned to be. The next morning I run up to the Kodiak Inn before work, to take a few pictures of the Council in chambers. Commissioner Campbell intercepts me again.

"I got a chance to read your stuff last night." And me without my bodyguards. He motioned me to a chair.

"Entertaining stuff. A couple of thoughts came to mind. Preparation H, for instance"

"Hey, that's pretty good. I might have to use that."

He went on to tell me that the State had hired David Bromley, and were consulting with he and Seth Macinko. He went on to sketch in some of the ideas the State has been kicking around to address the problems of privatization. I'm not at liberty to try to describe them, but I have to say I am starting to believe in my skeptical heart that they are making a good faith effort. In an informal meeting the next night at the home of Alexus Kwatchka that included Commissioner Campbell and his brain trust, Sue Aspelund and Denby Lloyd, I blustered, cajoled and questioned motives (the usual act). In the end I dared to hope. What if I could actually be in favor of something for once? That would be refreshing. Let's see what they come up with.

On Friday, I knock about the hallways of the K.I. with Crewmen's Association President Steve Branson, hoping to have a meaningful conversation with someone. We have several, many of them enlightening; to what effect it's hard to say. Mr. Phil Smith of RAM is always generous with his time and a pleasure to talk to. Seth Macinko, who looks a little like a logger, did not slap me with a lawsuit. Dr. Mark Fina, always thoughtful and gracious, still does not run away from us. I just enjoy listening to Clem Tillion. And of course Joe Childers of the Advisory Panel, who has the perspective of his years of engaging in the process. We were talking to Joe when Madame Chair glided by.

"You," I said to her "are the most attractive person in the room." This wasn't a very bold statement. Arne Fluglevog was probably the runner up.

"Terry" she said "you are such a terrible suck-up."

"Not true. I'm a terrific suck-up."

Well, all right. It was a jab in the ribs, but she's talking to me again.

The Crewmen's Association has asked me to thank the following people for making Fishstock possible:

KMXT, especially Mike Wahl, Mike Murray, Joe Stevens and Jay Barrett.
Mike Murray of Safeway
Island Hydraulics
Charlie Davidson
Mark of Island Sound
Andy Lundquist and Tony's
Donna Jones and Rhonda Maker for all their work and organization
Ben Millstein for his commercial and his support
Theresa Peterson and AMCC
Lysa Maher for all she does
Robert Wagner for the winning sign
All the police and troopers for a sense of security
All attendees for their time effort and eloquence
Martha Branson and Angie Haines for delicious food
And especially the Amazing Mark Montero and the BnB, without whose hard work Fishstock could not have happened.

Food Served at the Fishstock:

Sodas- 200
Waters- 50
Hamburgers- 150
Homemade pastries- 100
Johnsonville Brats- 40
Baked Beans- 10 lbs.
Nathan's Hot Dogs- 60
Pasta Salad- 15 lbs.
Red Salmon- 20
Green Salad- 5 Gallons
Smelt- 10 lbs.
Cheesecake- 1 big one
Halibut- 20 lbs.
Cupcakes- 2 Dozen
Rockfish- 30 lbs.
Corn on the Cob- 20 ears
Lasagna- 2 Platters
Swedish Meatballs- 5 lbs.
Black Cod Collars- 8 lbs.