Photo: Anchorage Daily News
Bravo to Captain Sig Hansen who in one fell swoop elevated many outsider’s limited view of Pebble Mine opponents (sparked by the pro-side’s propaganda machine) from tree-hugging environmentalists to a group with hard shells. To say that crab fishermen in Alaska are respected is an understatement. To say that crab fishermen are teetering the line of insanity is more accurate. Steelheaders are tough but I go out on a limb and say crabbers are second to none when it comes to pure hell-like living and working conditions.
The immense popularity of Deadliest Catch might be explained by the crabbers chasing the ever-disappearing American Dream. Where else can you potentially make a year’s worth of handsome pay in such a short time period? The caveat is that with each potentially rewarding day comes the ultimate in risk. Captain Hansen has been a successful crabber because of his common sense. He knows that there is a fine line between an overflowing hold and a safe return.
With Pebble, common sense is slapping us repeatedly in the face. Past environmental and humanitarian catastrophes are the norm from open pit mines of magnitudes just short the size of the proposed Pebble Mine with the very company, Anglo, leading the way in these disasters. Captain Hansen knows when to fold ‘em. The question is… will we?
http://www.adn.com/money/industries/fishing/story/801698.html
