Capt. Phil at Global Food Show
Captain Phil attended the Global Food Show in Alaska to speak about the Alaska crab industry.
“It’s important to have people aware of what is going on with catching crab in the Bering Sea,” said Phil Harris, captain of the Cornelia Marie.”
Supply meets demand at Global Food Alaska
By JOSEPH ROBERTIA
Peninsula ClarionThere’s nothing fishy about the Global Food Alaska 2007 conference and trade show that began Wednesday and continues today at the Soldotna Sports Center.
“This is not a typical trade show. This is a completely different animal,” said Robin Richardson, member manager of Global Food Collaborative LLC, one of sponsors of the event.
Rather than consumers buying small amounts of a product as with other trade shows, Richardson said the purpose of this event was to get those involved with Alaska’s supply chain of food, beverage and bio-products to connect, communicate and collaborate with each other.
“We don’t have vendors looking to sell salsa. Our vendors are looking to find a buyer that wants to use their salsa as a base ingredient in a recipe. They’re looking for a buyer to form a long-term, sustainable business relationship with,” she said.
The event brought together roughly 320 vendors and buyers, some small, local family-owned business, others huge, multinational entities. There were fishermen, seafood processors, ice packers, transporters, importers and exporters, sellers and buyers, and government organizations, to name just a few groups in attendance.
“It runs the gamut,” said Rick Roeske, program manager for Cook Inlet Salmon Brand, another sponsor of the event.
Roeske added that having so many varied, but interrelated entities under one roof served as a valuable opportunity to learn from each other and collaborate on ways to maximize generating sustainable business and economic developments from Alaska’s bounty.
“People Outside are kind of removed from the food source, but this gives national and international buyers a chance to visit Alaska, sit down and ask questions about the process from harvest to market. And, with it being closed to the public, sellers and buyers can — in a non-stress environment — discuss what is done, negotiate prices and strike deals,” he said.
Sean Crosby, of Kenai River Seafoods, said attending the event was beneficial to his organization.
“It’s a great deal for us as producers and sellers, because there are a lot of buyers, packagers and transporting companies here, so we’re getting exposure to all the people we need to talk to in order to do business,” Crosby said.
While some came looking to forge business deals, some participating in the event — such as the crab boat captains of the Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” — said they came to discuss their roles working in the seafood industry.
“It’s important to have people aware of what is going on with catching crab in the Bering Sea,” said Phil Harris, captain of the Cornelia Marie.
Harris said viewers of the show may learn a lot about crab fishing, but they’re only getting half the story.
“They don’t get to see the politics and they’re are a lot of politics to crab fishing,” he said.
Larry Hendricks, captain of the Sea Star in season one of the reality show, said he was also interested in informing people that crab fishing is a sustainable and renewable industry that is being challenged by crab from other countries, caught by fishermen that may not abide by the same standards as American fishermen.
“We follow regulations, we use methods to better target select species, and we harvest responsibly so the product will stay sustainable for generations to come. But, foreign importers are selling back to America crab caught by fishermen from other places — such as Russia — that aren’t held to the same standards, so we’d like to see crab become a certified fish product, similar to the way Angus beef is a certified beef
Rick Roeske said based on the success of the event, he was hoping it would become a regular occurrence.
“We’d like to do this every two years,” Roeske said.
The Global Food Alaska 2007 conference and tradeshow continues today beginning at 10 a.m. The public will be admitted from 3 to 5 p.m. for a $10 admission.
Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:51 pm
You sure are sexy!
July 7th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Captain Phil,
Well, I don’t know how in the world one would be able to contact me if you so desire my Southern (southern U.S., ie. South Carolina) cuisine…sausage gravy & biscuits, fried chicken, chicken bog, collared greens, etc. My food will thicken your blood right up! How do I know that you or any one within your circle to see my message in order to respond to me? Here is my email address rmsetter@sccoast.net. Look forward to hearing from y’all.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Captain Phil,
I realize the taping of the show for the current season is over and we are just learning of your health issue. I have the show set on “record” every Tuesday evening and I am mesmerized and captivated by you all. I wish you the best with your recovery because I cannot imagine the series without you and your crew involved. I live in coastal South Carolina and I am very interested in applying for a “cook” position on your boat…or anyone else within the fleet if you know of anyone needing some good homecooked southern soul food served three times a day or whenever you allow everyone to eat. I can assure you that you personally will not want to miss a single meal of mine nor deprive your crew of the finger-lickin’, biscuit sloppin’ grub to rejuvenate your energy levels that I can dish out. I am 38 years old and I am not looking for a love interest. I just want to try my chances at hanging out with one of the few people I believe are plain ol’ down to earth people…Bono of U2, Kid Rock and You or Jonathan Hilstrand. There are only a few featured captains on the show that I would want to lend a cooking hand. I think I would even cook for free so long you provide the food and airfare to Anchorage. And by the way, I am a Lady. Didn’t want you to think I was a guy looking for a good time. Please advise before the next season approaches if you would like to speak to me about my inquiry.
Kindest regards, Michelle Setterstrom
P.S. I think you should pick me because 1) I can cook; 2) I’ll work for free; 3) I don’t get seasick; 4) I’m married; 5) I have a motorcyle license; and 5) my last name is Swedish like most of the crabbers of the Bering Sea.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:18 am
look our video blog -
http://www.iblogme.com/tattoos/
July 29th, 2007 at 11:11 am
I LOVE ur boat, and im only 12 and i watch ur show but my b-day is comeing up and my mom is buying me a Cornelia Marie sweatshirt and ummmm dont ask me how i know that, lol, and the girl that said Jake was hot was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO right, lol, well i can’t wait to get my sweatshirt and i will be watching ur show, PLEASE STAY SAFE!!!!!!!! LOVE UR BOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 25th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Capt. Phil! Saw your comments online from the Global Food Show. How do we tell whether our crab is US caught or otherwise? Do I simply ask the retailer? Thanks - and I agree 100% that you have the absolute right (and America has the duty) to ensure a fair and equal playing field. Best wishes!
July 16th, 2007 at 10:36 am
HELLO CAPT. PHIL, WONDERING IF YOU DO OTHER FISHING BESIDES CRAB AND HOW LONG YOU STAY AWAY FROM HOME? I MYSELF AM GONE LONG PERIODS OF TIME,AS I OWN MY OWN SEMI TRUCK.REALLY LIKE THE SHOW,AND HAVE EVEN SHED A TEAR OR TWO FOR THE LOST AT SEA! I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT TRYING THE FISHING THING,BUT STILL AINT REAL SURE YET! AM ALSO CURIOUS ABOUT THE COST OF MAINT. FUEL,ECT. HOW MUCH PREP REALLY GOES ON BEFORE HEADING TO SEA,STUFF LIKE THAT. ALSO,WONDERING IF YOU LEAVE PORT FEELING LUCKY,OR IS DANGER ALWAYS ON YOUR MIND? GOD BLESS EVERYONE ONBOARD.
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:22 am
woundering if you all have the same cook for every season.
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:20 am
I really would like to get a msg to the time bandit. they dont have a web site how do I do this. I really want to go on the boat and cook with thier brother for the king crab season. I love cooking and have owned a rest. Im 45 yrs old and that is sumthing I always wanted to do
July 1st, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Hello Capt. Phil and Crew,
Please post more on the subject of the politics involved in your industry. I am politically active and belong to many sites to take actions, sign petitions, and send emails to lawmakers. If you would let us know what is going on, we might be able to get the info out and make a difference. Thank you for letting us share you and your Crew’s life aboard the CM. BTW you looked awfully good in the 4 part “After the Catch” specials. You are the new “Sonny Crockett” to many of us that used to love that character. The greatest thing is you are not an actor playing a hot role. You are a real person living what they only portrayed on film! Take care and stay safe.
July 1st, 2007 at 7:31 pm
My wife and I live in Arizona, and have a place in Alaska……since the series started, whenever we eat King Crab, we begin every meal with a toast to the Crab Fishermen who made it possible.
June 30th, 2007 at 3:44 am
hey captain Phil you man are awsome.
but im hopeing that you and me could meet up sometime.
you know i think me and you are alot of the same.
and i will be up there in alaska really soon.
but i really want 2 meet you.
but really man stay safe and get them KING CRAB so i can eat them lol
good luck man
June 28th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
im’hooked
June 28th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
So very glad to see that there are still parents out there that think like me - and put kids in their place. Way to go Phil.
So what do we need to look for to keep eating the US brought in Crab? Just curious!
Please be safe- - You have a great summer and a Safe next season!
June 26th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Phil,
My husband and I love the show, we truly are addicted!! We already had plans of moving to Alaska, (trying for Juneau) but you guys in this show make it truly difficult to be patient for the right time.
what’s the deal with “Dutch Harbor,” sounds like a rough place, think we can get some footage of the bar?
Take care and be safe, can’t wait for next season!
Brandy
June 25th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I too admire your parenting skills. Don’t much care for your dental coverage, but hey, it’s not my teeth, and I’m not a man, so I won’t ever be expected to yank one out.
What kind of morons did you go to school with to be voted “least likely to succeed?” I’m about to say some nice things about you now, but don’t worry, I’m very happily married and way down in Texas. Having said that, you absolutely fascinate me. I really do love the fact that your boys have to earn their place and pay. I admire the fact that you haven’t killed Josh. (My oldest is kinda like that, wants to tell me he knows better than I… and he’s still alive too, so that’s something we can both be proud of). You’re patient when you need to be patient, tough when you need to be tough, and, it looks like, a lot of fun whenever you get the chance. You also have gorgeous eyes, a great smile, and a very sexy voice, but that’s beside the point. You are a model of the American Dream and how success is supposed to be. You work hard, do what needs to be done, take care of business, the right way, and reap the rewards you have so bravely earned.
Please take care of your blood pressure. “The world is a more interesting place with you in it.”
June 24th, 2007 at 8:56 am
hope to see you again in the next season, i am addicted to the show. i never thought about the dangers involved in bringing those crab legs to my dinner plate. growing up on a farm in pennsylvania we had different dangers, but nothing such as seen on the bering sea. god be with you and your crew. thank you for sharing this part of your life with the rest of the world.
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:34 pm
You have my honor and respect. I spent 4 years in the Navy stationed on an ammunition ship out of Leonardo NJ, and we were involved in 5 rescues during the “perfect storm” hurricanes in the North Atlantic. Let me tell you, the jewels you guys have are enormous. After the third rescue we started to notice that fewer and fewer crewmembers were coming onboard, and by the 5th, we only picked up one. It’s good to hear how concerned you are toward your crew, one of the men we picked up told us that his skip refused to put in even when ordered to by the ship owner because he was on good fishing. Hard to believe that by the time he became skipper he hadn’t learned to respect the sea. Keep up the good work. I’ll keep you all in my prayers.
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Correct, that’s a Dutch lastname, so at least I’ve something in common with ya’ll (Dutch Harbour) but that’s about it, almost get seasick watching the show but absolutely cannot stop. New ones, reruns, After the Catch, will watch over and over and never tire of you and the crew. Living in Annapolis, Md., but from Atlanta, Ga. so lots of blue crab up here. Grew up holding a cane pole in my hand and taught to fish from a river bank, lakeside and boat by my daddy when only “knee high to a June bug”. Never baited my hook for me, so had to grab those red wigglers, crickets, minnows, chicken pieces, even potatoe salad came in handy when all other bait was gone! Well, the show is so successful, even my 17 yr. old, private Catholic school, pearls in her ears, daughter watches. We all love it, and after the end of this season, I decided you, the other Captains, the crew and Mike Rowe (our local Baltimore boy) should all do a calendar…that’s right I said calendar…and you should do it “pin up” style. Shoot, if you’re a wee bit shy, just have ‘em take it from the neck up, and hold that head high!!! I bet you, Sig, Jonathan, Kevin and all the other Captains $200 EACH you won’t do it, but you should and donate all proceeds (which will be plentiful) to the families who have lost someone to crab fishing on the Bering Sea. Think about it…you know you want to…you know Discovery Ch. will sponsor it…just remember where you heard it first…a real Georgia Peach!!! If you guys do this, I’ll fly up and make a batch of the best crab cakes, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, sweet tea and pie ya’ll have ever tasted. Now that’s a challenge “Baltimore Baby Mike Rowe” cannot turn down. They think they know crab cakes up here in Maryland, but just let this lil’ Southern Belle whip up a batch, and when your eyes roll back in your head and you’re beggin’ for more, tell me who makes the best crab cakes. Many a brave men will turn down a dare, but this is a DOUBLE DOG DARE, and no man worth his salt, ha did I say salt, should ever turn down a DOUBLE DOG DARE…Think about it…all the best to you and all the fishermen in the fleet, Sincerely, “Peaches”.
June 23rd, 2007 at 11:57 am
this is for jake,
Jake i think your a real good crabber for your age. I bet that you have taken alot of shit from other guys before you have earned you place a bit.
Keep up the good work and i cant wait to see the next season from deadliest catch from you huys…about whats to come. By the way i think your sooo hott!!!! And i hope your tooth dont bother you again…lol
Ta-Ta for now
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:50 am
hey capt. phil
Love to watch the show, and pull for you and sig all the time. I am very pleased to see that there are dads that still believe in standing up for whats right and putting their kids in their place when their wrong. We send prayers up for you guys that you have a successful fishing season and that you have fun doing it, and we enjoy watching it even the re-runs that come on like almost evryday. Thanx and God Bless you all.
June 22nd, 2007 at 10:47 am
hi phil. my best friend robin and i were just sitting here talking about our trip to seattle and to dutch harbor,we have planned this trip for a long time.she is just dying to meet you and maybe some of the others.i said are you sure that you really want to go, and she said yes,yes.your are her favorite captain and she says sig runs a good second,hahaha.here we are 40 years old and acting like teenagers again.but in all, we do wish you and your crew all the best in the up coming seasons. hope to run into you somewhere during our visit. stay safe .barbara and robin…..florida………
June 22nd, 2007 at 9:57 am
This is for Jake. That comment he made in one of the episodes about being with a Pilipino woman made me smile. In that case you made a good choice, ha, ha, ha. Seriously aside, for a lil guy you sure can handle the pressures aboard the ship. Basing it on your performane aboard the Cornelia Marie, you will make a fine captain in the future and make Capt Phil proud.
June 21st, 2007 at 11:16 am
hey phil
who will be the one to take over the boat? jake or josh? honestly i think jake the hottie will be the one to run the show but josh kicked both ya’lls a**
keep up the good work
June 20th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Hi, Capt. Phil! I think that the Cornelia Marie is freakin’ awesome! The way you teach your sons on the boat, is a good way to get them ready for future fishing seasons ahead of them, and (someday the captains chair!). In my opinion your a good father, ( and captain!). My daughter is one of your biggest fans! By the way, do you ride a harley ? I always see you wearing a harley shirt. Just curious. I am also one of your biggest fans! ^_^! Good luck on your next fishing season! I wish i could come aboard your ship for a ride… But i know thats not possible, so take care!
I’m one of your biggest admirers….. Carrie Smith, P.A.
June 19th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
I absolutely have loved these episodes that all of the captains of the fleet have allowed to be filmed. There are many of us here who would never know of the plight of where some of our favorite crab comes from. Mine is Alaskan King Crab. Of all of the hardships in anyones business, you men and any women in your crews just take the cake in my book. I am a small restaurant owner in a wonderful area in southwest florida, I too take risk, however none like all of you in your business, I would love to chef for you and your crew, however, I doubt I could make it past the first big harry wave without heaving!! Godspeed to you and your crew and all of the other captians of their ships!!
Love the filming, even if you do not!! It gives us lowlanders a better sense of reality!!
By the way Captain Phil you are my favorite!!
Katrina
June 19th, 2007 at 11:21 am
CAPTAIN PHIL. YOU GUYS ROCK…LOL…I CAN SEE HOW YOU LOVE AND CARE FOR YOUR SONS. YOU KNOW IT TAKES A REAL MAN TO BE A DADDY. I ALWAYS SAY TOUGH LOVE NEVER KILLED ANYONE AND NEITHER DOES HARD WORK AND SWEAT. THATS WHAT ALL THESE KIDS NEED THESE DAYS. SOME OLD SCHOOL…LOL…
BE SAFE..
JEANETTE
June 19th, 2007 at 9:16 am
This is for Capt. Phil. You are my husband made over. You even look a little like him. Rodney is a captain on the M/V Judy on the Mississippi River. His boat is 170 feet long and 42 feet wide. The channel on the river is a lot smaller than the water you navigate. Life on the river isn’t as exciting and dangerous but those elements do exist. Last year 15 men died. I could go on and on about the river but I wanted to focus on one thing, pet peaves. I notice you take exception to anyone on the boat that thinks he knows more than you do. Rodney gets green deckhands and steersman that make such announcements to him. He stops talking and allows them to have at it as long as no one is in danger. He says if they know more than he does then they don’t need him anymore and he doesn’t want to hear it. He lets them screw around trying to do things their way and it takes them twice as long and twice the aggravation. Rodney just sits in the pilot house and watches. I’ve noticed you have used that technique. If someone is going to be a good deckhand or a good pilot they soon learn they are a lot better off listening and learning from the captain. I would be interested in your opinion.
LouAnn, wife of a towboat captain for thirty-one years
June 18th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Growing up with fisherman in the family, I have been aware of the foreign fisheries over harvesting and selling what they say is foreign fish and/or crab to the Americas. I was little at the time and not interested in politics. The fact that America’s fisherman are now limited to their seasons for fishing, whether it be fish or crab is a shame. Being a land lover, I would like to get involved to help make the general public aware what is going on in the fishing industry if possible.
June 17th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
I would like a shot at a position on your boat. I am in good condition and, ah heck I’m just asking.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I’m curious about just how much crab we get here in the U.S. from Russia and dont even know it. Do their fisheries overlap ours or is it pretty much get what you can where you can?
June 15th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Nice article and interview . Enlighting about there being politics behind the scenes , but isn’t there in any business ? I’m sad to hear that other countries are butting in on this industry too . Being from the state of Michigan , I understand other countries horning in and taking over an industry .We’re dying because of it .