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California’s Fishing Industry
The Plunder Coast
Michael Olson’s Food Chain Radio Show #1425
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Guest: Joe Oglivy, Chef and Author, Tin Can Coast: A History of Industry, Greed, and Fishing in the Golden State
Michael Olson Food Chain Radio – Fishing Industry & California’s Plunder Coast
We went fishing a few days ago. Though we did not catch a fish, we did catch an incredible experience.
Early in the morning we motored out of the Moss Landing Harbor into the Monterey Bay and headed for the Soquel Hole, which is an off-shoot of the Monterey Bay Marine Canyon, and is locally-famous as a salmon fishery.
The water was very still that morning, with little sign of life, which is very unusual for this body of water. We trolled for three hours with all the various baits in the box, with not a single bite. “Oh well, they do call it fishing, not catching!”
On our way back to the harbor we spotted some whale-watching boats off towards Monterey. Our captain remarked, “I wonder if they are on a blue whale? I have always wanted to see a blue whale! Let’s go see!” And so we went to see.
No whales! But, we did find ourselves in the middle of a huge pod of Orcas. Just off the starboard side of the boat the mothers had schooled up what looked like about 15 to 20 calves, and were teaching the young how to slap the water with their fins in order to scare fish and communicate with family. The calves were having the time of their lives leaping out of the water and chasing each other up and down and all around. Reminded me of a bunch of young puppies playing.
But just then, on the port side of the boat, the adults started leaping clear out of the water to show the young how to really have fun. The adults, who were bigger than I thought they could be, lept clear out of the water to land with a splash so close to the boat I thought I was going to be washed overboard. But their show was so spectacular I simply could not turn away.
Though mesmerized by the moment, I did have one thought, “So, this is why the fish are not biting in the Monterey Bay today!”
With that little story, I would like introduce the man who tells the very big story about the great ocean current that has brought unbelievable living riches to California’s coast.
Leave a comment below: Do you think people will learn how to preserve the fish of the sea?
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Michael Olson’s Three Laws of the Food Chain
#1 Agriculture is the foundation upon which we build all our sand castles.
#2 The farther we go from the source of our food, the less control we have over what’s in that food.
#3 Cheap food isn’t! READ MORE
