Fishermen
- Dick Curran - F/V Cherokee
- George Eliason - F/V Tammy Lin
- Jay and Becky Haun - F/V Cinnabar
- Norm Pillen - F/V Sherrie Marie
- Rafe Allensworth - F/V Aloma
Dick Curran - F/V Cherokee - Back to Top
Dick Curran is the longline representative on the SPC Board of Directors. He has been a commercial fisherman for 30 years. Dick was raised in upstate New York and Cape Cod. He first became interested in commercial fishing when as a boy, he and his father visited relatives on a remote island off the coast of Newfoundland. His family has been fishing cod there since emigrating from Ireland in the 1700's.
As soon as Dick graduated from high school he and a friend hitchhiked to Alaska where he landed a job at Pelican Cold Storage. The next spring he started working as a deckhand, fishing for salmon, halibut and tuna. In 1978 he bought his first boat and in 1991 he bought the Cherokee, the 55' longliner he fishes today with his 2 man crew. They have fished from Chatham Strait in Southeast Alaska, west to the Aleutians, specializing in high quality blackcod and halibut.
In a further effort to be a good steward of the resource, Dick and his family - partner Tory and her two daughters - use the Cherokee to participate in the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation Marine Debris Cleanup project with the support of SPC. During the break between fishing the Gulf of Alaska and before outfitting for the Chatham blackcod fishery they have removed nearly 30,000 pounds of plastics and marine debris from remote coastal beaches that would have been harmful to local wildlife.
Dick never tires of his independent life and the chance to explore the beautiful Alaska coast. He is proud of the fleet's commitment to sustainable fisheries and delivering high quality products.
Top photo of Dick Curran courtesy of Mim McConnell
George Eliason - F/V Tammy Lin - Back to Top
I was ten years old and still playing Little League when I started fishing. I remember my father bringing me into town perhaps a day or so before the "trip was up" so that I could play my then favorite sport.
If I do my math correctly, I have been fishing possibly for 47 years; 47 summers that I would not exchange for anything. Of course, I did not start full time until I was 12 years old, which coincidentally, was the first year that I had to buy my own school clothes "since I was making so much money" my father said.
My two sons Nick and Jorgen have followed in their fathers' footsteps. They both started fishing at a very young age. My daughter Lindy also fished for several years on the Tammy Lin as well a
s my wife Tammy. To have all my family on the Tammy Lin for one season was wonderful.
The first boat I fished on was the 42' Anna J, and at that time, was one of the larger trollers in the fleet. My father purchased her way back in 1962. I worked as a deckhand every summer on the Anna J until 1977, the year that I purchased her from my Dad, therefore fulfilling a lifelong dream - becoming a skipper. Shortly thereafter, my wife and I joined the Co-op and fished the Anna J for halibut and salmon for another seventeen years before selling her and purchasing the Tammy Lin. Joining the Co-op was a no-brainer for me as a new boat owner. Not that I wanted the highest price for my fish or that many of my friends were in the Co-op, but I wanted to be paid exactly what my fish were worth, year after year.
It has been very rewarding having been born and still living in the small community of Sitka on Baranof Island surrounded by mountains and the ocean. Outside of two winters logging and one at the local pulp mill, fishing has been my only occupation and a very gratifying one at that. What makes fishing so gratifying to me is having had the chance to fish with my father and to also have spent every summer for twenty years fishing along with my children. Of course "being my own boss" has its advantages as well.
Jay and Becky Haun - F/V Cinnabar - Back to Top
Jay and I have enjoyed commercial fishing together for thirty-five years in Washington and Alaska. He had dreamed of being a fisherman as a young man. Part of that dream included taking his wife and family with him. His dream became my reality and life style and continues to be an unbelievable adventure every year. We have owned and operated our own fishing vessel since 1971. We have also raised our two children aboard the F/V Cinnabar with us in our family business trolling for wild salmon and long lining halibut.
Living on the ocean five months each year, away from the distractions of "land life" gives us plenty of time to reflect. As we move closer to retirement, we look back fondly on our choice of profession and the quality of life we have been blessed to experience.
In return for these privileges, we have taught our children the importance of family values, good work ethics, respect for the natual resources of this earth, the gratitude for the precious gifts of life given to us in the fruit of our labors. Each fish we catch aboard the Cinnabar with our hook and line is treated with special care with the same attitude of value, quality and appreciation. We put that attitude into action by preparing each fish as if preparing it for our own family.
We have been part of Seafood Producers Cooperative since 1973. It also represents family and high quality to us. There are some 500 members in the family of SPC. As one business, we are known for our diligent effort in making sure our product has the highest quality for our customers. Each fish is caught by hook and line, one at a time, and immediately processed for the best taste and quality. With the working together of a conscientious staff and fishermen (and women) membership, SPC products reflect the fruits of a dedicated company. My husband and I are proud to be a part of Seafood Producers Cooperative providing valued seafood products all over the world.
Norm Pillen - F/V Sherrie Marie - Back to Top
I started fishing at age 12. I began fishing for halibut and yelloweye rockfish in a small, open boat. I grew up in the remote Southeast Alaskan community of Port Alexander which is located on the southern end of Baranof Island. Catching fish for a living was a way of live in Port Alexander.
I purchased my first vessel at the age of 16, a 21 foot hand-troller named Moondance. I met my future wife and sweetheart at Port Alexander High School. She started fishing with me as a deckhand, and the rest is history. Five boats, 30 years and 2 wonderful daughers later, we continue to make our living in the fishing industry. Our current vessel, the Sherrie Marie, is a 65 foot steel longliner and is named after our two daughters. We fish for Sablefish and Halibut in the Gulf of Alaska.
I am often asked how I like fishing for a living after all these year. I answer, "In 30 years of fishing my office has been different every day". I have been an SPC member for 20 years and believe that our company has set the bar for quality seafood throughout the whole industry.
Rafe Allensworth - F/V Aloma - Back to Top
I have been fishing for about 30 years. I first started when I was 12 years old and my stepfather, Guy Peterson, took me out. I was born in Sitka, Alaska where I still reside. For about ten years I was a driver for Arrowhead Transportation but every July I went King fishing for a trip.
I always wanted to be a fisherman. It is something in my blood and I knew at 13 that is what I wanted to do. It has always been my dream. I fish on the "Aloma" - the same boat I was fishing on as a teenager. Some of the appeal of troll fishing for me is being my own boss, but also doing something that is real and earned. And of course, the people you get to know!
Norm Pillen - F/V Sherrie Marie
I started fishing at age 12. I began fishing for halibut and yelloweye rockfish in a small, open boat. I grew up in the remote Southeast Alaskan community of Port Alexander which...Read More
