From WhaleFest to the Pacific Marine Expo, fall brings a different rhythm to Southeast Alaska, but there's no shortage of activity on and off the docks.
Sitka is a small, rural town on the rugged outer coast of Southeast Alaska, far removed from the road system. Its isolation and geography might make you think it's a backwater, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Fall brings a welcome change of pace after the busy summer fishing and tourist seasons. The days grow shorter, the rain picks up, and life settles into a different rhythm. But don't mistake the quieter docks and streets for inactivity. If you can shrug off the torrential downpours, it's a beautiful time to be here. This is when our community comes together, fishermen reconnect with colleagues from across Alaska and beyond, and boat captains turn their attention to preparing for another season on the water. There's plenty happening in Sitka, even when the fishing slows down.
Let’s start with the biggest fall event in Sitka, WhaleFest. This year marks the 30th year of the event celebrating marine life through science, art, culture, and adventure. At the core of Sitka WhaleFest is the three-day Science Symposium, where scientists and knowledge bearers share the latest research and learning about marine life. The symposium is open to everyone, and the speakers share what they know in a way that’s relevant and easy to connect with. There are hands-on workshops, and incredible work by local artists and performers. It’s an annual tradition you really don’t want to miss. If you’re thinking about visiting Sitka, it’s also a great time to see whales without many tourists. The festival is timed for the wintering humpback whales that don’t travel to warmer waters to mate, but instead feed in the sound. If the weather cooperates, it offers some of the most stunning and spectacular whale watching in the world. Steep, snowy mountains rise out of lush green forests, making a backdrop you can’t beat.
Photo courtsy of ASMI
Once the longline season slows down in November, the only fishermen left on the water are winter king trollers and sea cucumber divers. With the fishing season winding down, it’s time for the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle. It’s the West Coast’s largest marine expo, and even though it’s in Seattle, Alaska is well represented. At the first couple of expos I attended, I was shocked by how many people I knew across Alaska whom I ran into there. Alaska is a big place, and as fishermen and seafood processors, we’re separated by hundreds of miles without easy road access. That means we don’t get to visit friends in the industry very often, and we’re usually too busy with our own fishing operations to make time to travel to other parts of Alaska. That’s why the expo is special. It brings the entire Alaska fishing industry together in one place, a space to share stories of the season’s successes and failures on the water. There’s also every kind of equipment a fisherman or processor might need, making it a valuable opportunity to meet with vendors and see the latest products.
repair of hatch on FV Sunfish
The life of a fisherman may seem dreamy, like there’s a winter offseason to relax off the water, but that’s hardly the case when you’re a captain. The slower fall and winter months are the time for tackling boat repairs that weren’t possible during the rush of the season. With so much time spent at sea, it’s essential to make sure everything is in top shape during the offseason. Each day missed in the summer can cost thousands of dollars, so a smart captain keeps their boat ready to capitalize when it’s time to get back to work. Our fleet members are enjoying being on land this fall, but are dutifully repairing their boats to be ready for next season. We will keep you posted on what’s happening on the docks in Sitka, and thank you for reading!
Marsh Skeele
Marsh is our original fisherman and helped start Sitka Seafood Market over a decade ago. He grew up fishing with his family outside of Sitka and began his own fishing journey captaining the F/V Loon in 2011. Shortly thereafter at a dinner party sharing his catch, he met friends that figured out how to get his fish to the Midwest and Sitka Seafood Market was born. He loves finding the highest quality ingredients and sharing the stories of their harvest over a dinner party. You can find him fishing with his family in Sitka and searching for the next delicious piece of seafood to share with you.
