Deadliest Catch

Ranked #985 in Entertainment, #11,647 overall

Crabbing on the Bering Sea is the world's most dangerous job. So intones Mike Rowe somberly on each episode. The crab fishing season is a perilous shuffle between dangers for the prize - pots full of crab. Unfortunately the strains of fishing the Bering Sea leads to the loss of life. Just like it's paper-clipped in the Discovery Channel's promo: "Go from fisherman to bait in one false move."

This lens is an introduction to the Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch. I'll direct you to more resources and additional information about our shared obsession. When not being bleeped, the crewman manage to hand down some gems between the exhaustion and pain.

Watch and be amazed as crab relieves all that ails these fishermen.

DC History Tidbit - The Time Bandit rescued a man who was swept off the Trailblazer in October 2006.

Deadliest Catch - Courtesy Corey Arnold

Crab Fishing in Alaska

Finding riches in a crab pot

Courtesy Corey Arnold - Rollo sorting table

Alaska enjoys a rich history stretching back at least 9,000 years. Commercial fishing for crab had been going on for decades, but it wasn't until the 1950's that large scale commercial harvesting began in earnest. Fishing was great until the 1970's when the fisheries started to collapse. Since then the fleet's numbers followed the crab.

There are four species of king crab in Alaska: brown(golden), blue, red and scarlet. The most familiar are the red king crab. The scarlet, while reportedly sweet tasting are too few in number for commercial fishing. The number of King crab caught has collapsed in the last 30 years from over 100 million pounds in the late seventies to the current levels of around 18.5 million pounds. The Kodiak area, a once prodigious crab producer has yet to recover since being closed in 1983. Other formerly productive fisheries have also been closed in the hopes that they recover their viability. King crab are not the only species being targeted. Oplilio (snow), Tanner, Dungeness and Hair crabs are commercially fished. Here is a general map of the Alaskan crab fisheries.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (an agency of the Federal Government) sets the fishing seasons. During the first season of Deadliest Catch it was derby rules for fishing. A season open date and time was set. It closed based on an estimate of when the fishing fleet would reach the season's quota. The crews worked almost non-stop hauling in crab as fast as they could catch them. Each ship's captain had only the roughest estimate of how long they would be able to fish.

Today each fishing vessel is assigned a quota by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. It's up to each ship to fill their quota in the time they are alloted. The rule changes brought controversy and unhappiness to the local independent fishing industry. Dutch Harbor is where the majority of fishing vessels that crab are based out of during the season. You can view a brief history for Dutch Harbor that stretches back two hundred plus years here.

Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch

The Discovery Network's website

Photo courtesy of Discovery Channel



Deadliest Catch is another Emmy winning show for Discovery (Just two wins, but DC has won several other awards!!) and they have given everyone some very nice resources. If you need to know when the show airs look right here. To discuss the show with other fans visit the forums. The Discovery Channel has added a wiki for Deadliest Catch.

The Deadliest Catch chats for this season have, sadly, come to an end. I'll re-link to the chats if they ever start again. Do you want to read last chat sessions? Over at the Discovery Channel you can find the transcripts.

Deadliest Reports

Courtesy Discovery Channel


A blog that delivers the news on Deadliest Catch and related crabbing topics. A must read because it's that frackin' fantastic!

Deadliest Reports' writer/owner Pat made a fantastic catch locating and sharing a soundtrack for the series. Tell her thankya!
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Deadliest Catch logo

Deadliest Catch Soundtrack

Love the music from Deadliest Catch? They have finally offered a soundtrack from various artists. Click on through and preview the whole album over at Amazon. Download the whole thing, purchase it used or if just a couple of tracks catch your fancy, you can buy each one (except the last track) separately for just 99¢
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On the Edge of Survival

A raging storm, a shipwreck and a rescue that spawned a legend

This is a story from the U.S. Coast Guard. A narrative tale about the crew of a H-60 Jayhawk, the really big chopper, that saved lives and gave some of their own to the Bering Sea. Special thanks to St. Martin's Press and Ms. Lumnah for providing me this exciting and thrilling read.
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Deadliest Catch Ships

From all seasons

Edgar - courtesy Discovery Channel

Go and check out all the ships who have their own site!

F/V Aleutian Ballad
Interested in taking a tour of the Bering Sea and seeing what's involved in crab fishing? You actually get out on the water, assuming it's nice. Prepare to be chumming for fish if it's not!
F/V Cornelia Marie
Deadliest Catch for multiple seasons has featured the Cornelia Marie, Captain Phil and her crew. Check out the website and their merchandise!
F/V Evening Star
I've included this because Blake Painter has Captained her during the Dungeness season.
F/V Farwest Leader
Go share some love for the crew. Full of information with links, photos and more!
Greg and Ragnhild: F/V Farwest Leader
Greg and Ragnhild Moncrief of the F/V Farwest Leader have their own site. Click through and show them your support!
F/V Maverick
The F/V Maverick's site is a great place to learn more about the ship and her crew. Find tons of great stuff to sate your Maverick fix.
F/V North American
This newest addition to Deadliest Catch has a great website! Still being filled out with goodies, expect to find more content each time you check back.
F/V Northwestern
The F/V Northwestern is owned and operated by the Hansen Family. Lots of information and cool merchandise available.
F/V Sea Star
Take a tour of the ship that's been fishing the Bering Sea for over 30 years. Your trip to Alaska wont be complete without stopping by.
F/V Time Bandit
Visit the F/V Time Bandit's Official Homepage!
F/V Wizard
Here is the Wizard's very nice home page. Recently updated and full of great information.
F/V Rollo on Squidoo
This is my fan lens for the F/V Rollo.

More Ships of the DC Fleet

From all seasons

These ships at the moment do not maintain their own personal websites. The ships are linked to their DC Wiki page.
Billikin
Early Dawn
Fierce Allegiance
Lady Alaska
Lisa Marie
Lucky Lady
Retriever
Saga
Trailblazer
Vixen
Western Viking

Son of a Crab Fisherman

Part of Alaska Week on Discovery

Deadliest Catch - Son of a Crab Fisherman
by DiscoveryNetworks | video info

42 ratings | 62,357 views
curated content from YouTube

Bering Sea Guestbook

No chumming for fish!

Whose your favorite deckhand or captain? Baitboy?!? Give someone a shout out, write a blurb and say Hello to all the other show obsessed fans!
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  • PCor56Mar61L Apr 14, 2012 @ 11:16 pm | delete
    This is for all who had to go out in the Bering Sea this Seasons for I truly feel for everyone of you who had to tackle one of the Deadlies SnowStorms Of The
    Century!!! alongwith all of thatthey could bearlyge i their full Quotas i as well.God Bless All The Fleet.Aways,PCor56Mar61L.
  • FantasticVoyages Mar 15, 2012 @ 9:08 pm | delete
    I don't watch much television, but I've always loved this show! It's so easy to get caught up in the lives of these men. Really great page. Thanks for sharing it!
  • PCor56Mar61L Nov 12, 2011 @ 8:56 pm | delete
    This goes to some of you who had a very rough Knig Crab Season,as I do know that all the weather up there was a down right Blizzard!! with pretty heavy wind gusts as well.I'm saying Hi!! to Capts.Wild Bill,Scott Campbell Jr.& to Elliot Neese,as for the other 4-you already know who you are without me saying in which I wouldn't since none of you Can't or No Allowed to send me any letters for Phil & I's Book, OKAY!! Also,to every Crew Member of the Northwestern,Time Bandit,Wizard,Kodiack,Sea Brooke,& Ramblin' Rose God Bless each of you for the job that you go out to do every season.I Love All of you & Again,God Bless All Of You. 12th. Nov.2011
  • PCor56Mar61L Oct 30, 2011 @ 8:12 pm | delete
    This goes to all of the Captains & Crew Members of the following Boats,Northwestern,Time Bandit, Wizard,Kodiack,Sea Brooke,&Ramblin'Rose.You all are
    probably done for the King Crab Season.All of you will be in my Heart,Thoughts,& Prayers.Love you Guys.Always,PCor56Mar61L 30th. Oct. 2011
  • PCor56Mar61L Oct 19, 2011 @ 11:45 pm | delete
    I coming to wish all of my Original Boats such as { Northwestern,Time Bandit,&Wizard}. I do know my other boat is getting very mush do-over this King Crab Season.As for the other 3-boats Kodiack,Ramblin'Rose & Sea Brooke,along with the rest of the fleet &fishermen, stay safe & All is inmy Prayers.So,Our Darling Capt. Phil is in my mine & Heart just as much this ever so Sweetheart of a tough Guy Capt.Hi!! also everyone else that comes on this WEB SITE as well.Hey!! Capts.Johnathan,Andy,Sig,&Keith,along with Wild Bill,Scott Jr.&Elliott safe Fishing just as much.I just Love all of you Guys.God Bless All Of You,Always Truly,PCor56Mar61L 19th. Oct. 2011
  • PCor56Mar61L Oct 1, 2011 @ 4:22 pm | delete
    Well! here I am again talking about our very Dear Late Capt.Phil Harris.he will always be my Capt.& like I said before the Best Bait Guy is Josh Harris,he really has done the bags quiet neat & not so messy.Good Luck!!!Josh & Jake Harris on this coming season with all the rest of the Fleet as well.God Bless All Of You.Phil is most diffinitely missed & loved so much as he knew I would always tell him. 1st.Oct.2011
  • PCor56Mar61L Sep 29, 2011 @ 10:03 pm | delete
    My best Capt.was our Late Phil Harris.I knew him personally through my 1st.cousin,also from the start Cornelia Marie was my Boat of choice.As for Bait boy I can say it would be Josh Harris& agreat big shout to the whole Fleet in Dutch Harbor,Alaska.Hi!! Everyone out there in Deadliest Catch Land All over the Globe.God Bless All.
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Deadliest Catch: Desperate Hours

Courtesy Discovery Channel


A collection of tales from various Captains and crews that is sure to keep any Deadliest Catch fan spellbound. Be sure to add this to your collection of DC memorabilia!
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Dutch Harbor Webcams

And other places Alaska

If you'd like to look in on Dutch Harbor, Alaska check out these dockside webcams. They are courtesy of Coastal Transportation, Inc.

The only other thing on the Alaskan webcam fest is a page with 15 webcams to click through to!

Deadliest Catch Video

A variety of video choices to enjoy from Deadliest Catch on YouTube.
Deadliest Catch Alaskan Storm - Jake vs. Jake (Moonboots)
by RelatePR | video info

128 ratings | 93,466 views
curated content from YouTube

F/V Time Bandit

Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs

Courtesy Discovery Channel


Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand along with Malcolm MacPherson penned a book about life and being a fisherman on the Bering Sea. If you are a Time Bandit fan this is a must add to your collection!
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Deadliest Catch on Myspace

MySpace pages for ships and crews

Jake! - courtesy Discovery Channel


Go be friends with your favorite ships and crew who maintain a page! Be warned, some profiles are set to private and you have to be a friend to view it.

Aleutian Ballad
Cornelia Marie
Farwest Leader
Maverick
Northwestern
Rollo
The Banditas (Time Bandit)
Wizard


Jake Anderson
Matt Bradley
Tristan Burris
Mike Fourtner
Lynn Guitard
Edgar Hansen
Norm Hansen
Josh Harris
Andy Hillstrand
John Hillstrand
Neal Hillstrand
Crosby Leveen
Nick Maurer
Russell Newberry
Eric Nyhammer
Art Peterson
Corky Tilley

Last but certainly not least we have a personal fan page on Myspace. The music selections rock!

Deadliest Catch

Deadliest Catch Links

More information

Corey Arnold with crab

Corey Arnold aboard the Rollo.

Corey Arnold Photography
Corey graciously allowed me the use of his photos - any of the ones you've been enjoying here not credited to Discovery. Check out the great material he's posted. If you are wondering how he took them, he is a deckhand on the Rollo.

Corey has completely updated his website! Go check out all the fresh, new coolness before it wears off!

More from Corey here.
Deadliest Forums
Here is a forum where you can discuss your favorite ship and crew. This forum is well moderated and populated by folks who act like adults. If you love the show I bet you'll love this forum too.

From the website - "The Ultimate Discussion Forum for the the Series"

I whole heartedly agree!
Deadliest Reports
Be sure to stop by and read about what's churning in the crabbing world. I highly recommend this site!
Dutch Harbor Dirt
A super blog full of photos about what else? Deadliest Catch! Blog owner and writer Carlisleboy keeps it interesting and fun, go check it out!
Deadliest Catch
Bursts of activity punctuate this interesting blog about Deadliest Catch.
Alaska Photo Library
This website has some of the most striking photography of Alaska I've seen. Searchable by keyword or location. Incredible photos that are surely worth a visit.
Deadliest Fans
Another great blog about Discovery's Deadliest Catch. It looks like the blog owner is on hiatus. There is an interview they did with Sig and Edgar Hansen here. Very cool.
Alaska King Crabs
Alaska king crabs species descriptions from the Wildlife Notebook Series publication - Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
NEFSC Historical Page
Although this covers all American fisheries Alaska gets good mentions throughout the time line. There are also cool old photos along with a ton of other interesting things to read.
Commercial Crab Harvests
Commercial crab fisheries harvests, 1974-2004, for the State of Alaska. From the Alaska Fish and Game's Division of Commercial Fisheries. More information to troll through here.
Deadliest Videos - Online Crabbing / Fishing Videos
This site has a very long list of videos to watch on the internet. Gathered from all over you could spend hours and hours here.

Deadliest Catch - Waves

Delivering as promised

Deadliest Catch - Monster Waves
by DiscoveryNetworks | video info

1,751 ratings | 2,112,187 views
curated content from YouTube

More Deadliest Catch Links

More information and places to visit.

Hauling in - courtesy Corey Arnold

Captain McDreamy & Captain McSteamy
This site is full of all kinds of stuff directly related to two certain crabbing Captains. Chock full of user posted information. If you like Phil and John you may never leave this site.

From the website well worth your click:

"The Captain McDreamy & Captain McSteamy guest book is a place for all of Phil's and John's fans to get together and have some fun. There is a fantastic group of Phil Harris and John Hillstrand fans from all over the country represented here."
Capt. Phil Interview
Captain Phil and Captain Keith from Discovery Channel's Emmy nominated series "The Deadliest Catch" join Don Wade & Roma on WLS, 890 AM - Chicago's Talk Station
The MJ Morning Show
The MJ Morning Show which plays on several radio stations hosted Phil, Captain of the Cornelia Marie and Johnathan, Captain of the Time Bandit. A great listen plus photos!
Crabwizard on Youtube
The Crabwizard has put up a Youtube page for their fans! Stop on over and enjoy some of the video they have posted.
F/V Northwestern on YouTube
The Northwestern has put up a page on YouTube. Video wise it's a bit of this and a tad of that.
Unalaska Daily Vessel Check
Find out if your favorite ship is docked in Unalaska, Alaska.

Discovery's Production Diary

Discovery posts a new one to coincide with the initial broadcast of each episode. Read the production diary that details what went into the making of the show that is airing.
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Season Six of Deadliest Catch

You can find Season six synopses of Deadliest Catch at the link below.
Season Six
From good 'ol plain Wikipedia

Season Five of Deadliest Catch

You can find synopses for season five of Deadliest Catch at the links below.
Season Five
From the Deadliest Catch Wiki
Season Five
From good 'ol plain Wikipedia

Deadliest Catch Bits and Pieces

Facts about the 2008 Season from the Discovery Channel

Time Bandit crew - Courtesy Discovery ChannelThe Deadliest Catch crews follow boats during two crab seasons: red king and opilio. The crew brings with them almost 5000 pounds of equipment to record what happens on the Bering Sea. Included in that are 63 cameras of which only a third survive the season. The Discovery Channel cameramen filled up over 5000 video tapes and recorded more then 8000 hours of footage. From all those hours, 16 one hour shows are distilled. Eighteen cameramen spent an average of 36 days out at sea recording the fourth season. Of those 18, eleven returned from previous seasons of Deadliest Catch.

The Wizard crew - courtesy Discovery ChannelKing crab season kicks off the same date each year: October 15. While boats are also legally allowed to catch opilio in October, due to biological issues and market demand, most crews wait until January to fish their quota. Red king crabs are the largest crab species, weighing an average of six to 10 pounds (with the record female and male weighing 10.5 and 24 pounds, respectively. The male's leg span was nearly 5 feet across!). Opilio crabs weigh an average of one to three pounds. At about $4.50 per pound (up from $3.90 last year), fishermen can make between $27 and $45 for each red king crab they catch. At about $1.70 per pound (up from $1.50 last year), an average opilio crab can fetch $1.70 to $5.10. The crews are allowed to harvest only adult male crab. All females and juveniles must be thrown back.

This year the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) was 18.5 million pounds for Bering Sea red king crab and 55 million pounds for opilio crab. Per rationalization guidelines, each boat in the fleet was given a predetermined quota to catch. This season, around 80 boats headed out to sea to fish their share of crab, down from over 250 just two years ago (prior to rationalization). The fleets ships range in size from 58 to 165 feet with most ships averaging around 120 feet. The ships are crewed by three to nine deckhands led their Captain.

Capt. Sig - courtesy Discovery ChannelSince crabs do not appear on radar or migrate in the same pattern each year, captains must rely on their experience and intuition to find the best locations to fish. The crabs are caught in 600-800 pound metal pots that are baited with ground herring, sardines or cod before they are dropped overboard.

Poor water circulation, warm water or fresh water in the boat's holding tank all have the potential to kill crab. In fact, being in stagnant water will kill crab faster than being left out of the water. If a crab dies in the boat's holding tank, it emits toxins that can poison the other crabs. One dead crab could possibly turn an entire hold into garbage!

Inside the Catch - Season Four/Five!

Discovery Channel Diaries

Courtesy Discovery Channel


Direct from the Discovery Channel read about the fifth season of Deadliest Catch!
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Season Four of Deadliest Catch

Rough seas - courtesy Discovery Channel

Season four synopses can be found here and here.

Season Three of Deadliest Catch

pot in

Instead of taking down a great Corey Arnold photo, I'll leave it up and direct you to click here or here.

Season Two of Deadliest Catch

Bering Sea

Season Two Synopses can be found here or here.

Season One of Deadliest Catch

My synopses and quotes for the first eight episodes

Missing Finger

Season One

In the first season, we follow the hardships of ten ship's crews. Watch eyes start to glaze after the first 24 hours of almost non-stop work. Observe how a few manage to smoke on a deck that seems to be underwater half the time. See crab relieve all ills.

Deadliest Catch DVD Box Sets

Grab the entire collection

Follow the crews through each season to share their triumphs and sorrows as they find each on the Bering Sea. A complete collection of all the seasons.
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Deadliest Catch DVD Box Sets on Ebay

Follow the crews through each season and share their triumphs and sorrows as they find each on the Bering Sea.
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Deadliest Catch on X-Box 360 and PC

Fishing to Win!

Do you think you've got the gumption? Do you think you can win? Purchase the new Deadliest Catch video game for your X-Box or PC.
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Deadliest Catch Season Six!! 

Order it now!!

Deadliest Catch: Season Six

Amazon Price: $12.38 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

This is the pre-order for season six of our shared obsession. Order this now and get the price guarantee along with $4 worth of eligible movies and TV shows from Amazon Video On Demand,

To be released November 2.