Sharing our Water ~ Sharing our Resources

MESSAGE SHARED WITH UPRIVER COMMUNITIES DURING SEAFOOD DELIVERY:

As community members that eagerly anticipate the return of salmon to the Copper River each year, Cordova commercial fishermen recognize and understand the fundamental importance of healthy and sustainable fisheries for all Alaskans that depend on them.

Commercial fishing directly and indirectly provides income for more than 1,000 families in Cordova and supports the economies of all of Prince William Sound’s coastal townships. Our community, like yours, directly relies upon abundant and sustainable salmon runs.

By sharing the resources that we all depend on, we hope to strengthen relationships and make connections with others that share our goal of protecting and supporting the management of our wild fisheries. With this effort, we hope to ensure that the Copper River’s treasured salmon are wild, abundant, and sustainable for generations to come.

In recognition of our shared community interests, please enjoy this seafood, harvested locally and donated by members of our commercial fleet.

Sharing our Water ~ Sharing our Resources

Read about Rochelle's Trip Upriver ~ June 24, 2009

Halibut travel up the Copper River
June 24, 2009

In the tradition of community sharing, building connections and strengthening relationships, the proposition of delivering fresh-caught halibut to residents of the Copper River Basin on behalf of Cordova’s commercial fishing fleet seemed like a no-brainer. Add a beat-up SUV, a warped sense of geography and a tagalong two-year-old to the mix and I was left to figure out how to get 280lbs of halibut donated by local fishermen up to the far reaches of the Copper River.

Two weeks before the big trip, and after pondering the how’s, who’s and where’s, I contacted Chantelle Pence of Chistochina who became my trip chaperone. Chantelle contacted seven upriver tribal council offices to explain CDFU’s project and arrange the seafood hand-off, and kindly offered me the use of her beautiful little cabin perched on the banks of a Copper River tributary in Chistochina.

The day before departure, I drove down to Trident Seafoods to pick up the halibut. As I loaded the boxes into my car, I realized the extent of my space deficiency. In a last minute panic, I ambled down to Cordova’s local Seafood Sales van to seek some expert advice from owner, Ken Roemhildt, on how best to transport the halibut upriver. I needed to figure out how to ensure it would keep in top-notch condition - cool and preferably frozen for 3 days in the back of my somewhat rustic vehicle. Ken suggested that costly insulated boxes with gel ice would be the way to go.

Second in line at the Seafood Sales counter was local pet store owner Osa Schultz, who overheard my dilemma - not to mention financial predicament and offered a compelling and generous solution. Twenty minutes later, I loaded 10 large boxes into the back of my car, emblazoned with signage depicting curious verbiage such as “Live Tropical Fish”. The boxes had previously been used to transport tropical fish from warmer climates up to Osa’s pet shop.

Later that evening, after a few logistical quandaries concerning limited freezer space for 280lbs of frozen product, I went to bed – ready for the big trip.

My alarm didn’t quite go off as predicted the next morning, and I had to solicit my husband’s help at 7am the next morning to rush down with me to sort and load the halibut into 25lb increments before boxing, gel icing and taping up, ready for departing on the ferry.  We made it just in time. My son Peter, my beat-up peacock blue SUV and I were on the ferry, well on our way north to Valdez and onward to the Copper Basin.

Arriving to Valdez some three hours later, we made a quick stop to the local Carrs Safeway to fill a small cooler with 3 days worth of food and water, before hitting the road to meet Chantelle at the Kenny Lake junction pull out.  Peter and I got there early as conditions through Thompson’s Pass were better than expected. Turns out, this particular pullout was a regular spot for Copper Basin residents to pick up people or convene. Eager to start offloading some of the fresh halibut, I struck up a conversation with a fellow in a red truck parked next to me – awaiting the arrival of his kids from a rafting trip. I offered him a halibut fillet to which he turned down declaring his dislike for all things “fishy”. Turned out he was a dipnet guide based out of Chitina on the Copper River. Interesting connection.

After Chantelle turned up, we drove down to the tribal village at Chitina. The first delivery went well, and Chantelle was able to pick up some electronics for recycling killing two birds with one stone. Despite a light rain, Peter was able to stretch his legs on the community playground. I was glad for the dreary weather as it kept the back of my car cooler to better preserve the frozen state of the halibut.

It was getting late, and we had a two hour drive ahead of us to get back to Chistochina, so we decided to continue the remainder of the deliveries the following day. After arriving, and settling in to our cabin (and battling an army of angry mosquitoes), we retired next to a roaring fire where we roasted marshmallows.

Bright and early the next morning we hit the road. Two minutes later, we arrived at the Chistochina village council office and delivered the first box of halibut for the day, along with an array of materials such as recipe cards and information on the project.  There were a few inquisitive glances at my delivery of what appeared to be tropical fish. All questions  concerning the content of the box were answered when I proudly pulled out and presented one of the large, frozen fillets of delicious Alaska halibut contained within. Curiosity quickly turned to craving, and I soon learned that ocean-caught halibut to a fresh-water community was a rare luxury.

Next on the itinerary was a two-hour drive to Mentasta. Between catching glimpses of the tumultuous Copper River, I was amazed at the breathtaking scenery all around. Sculpted mountains with steep cliff faces surrounded by flowing greenery and wild flowers. Turning off down a dirt road, we eventually arrived at the Mentasta village council office. I was a little nervous about how the gesture of gifting halibut would be received, but it went well. The staff seemed very appreciative and took recipes and information about the program to share with the elders and tribal members during the disbursement of fish.

On to Gakona, Gulkana, Tazlina we drove, pulling in for our finally delivery to the Copper Center tribal council office by late afternoon. Following a tragic house fire earlier in the week, plans were in the works for a community dinner to help the surviving Mother of the two young children who perished. Speaking with the council representative, it was determined that the halibut would be used during the benefit dinner.  A terrible tragedy, but I was glad that I could help if only in a very small way. Glancing at Peter in my rearview mirror and pulling back onto the highway, I couldn’t imagine what that poor Mother was going through.

To lift our spirits, Chantelle suggested we make an important stop – to The Fishing Widow. Oh boy, was that polar bear hair good! I’m talking about icecream. Alaska made, and mighty fine too. The Fishing Widow is a quirky little store, currently undergoing renovations,  that speclializes in Alaska made foods and gifts. A rare gem, and one in which I will definitely keep on the mind during future travels to the Copper Center. Peter enjoyed the opportunity to get out of the car for a moment, and soon thereafter was smothered in Mango icecream from head to toe. What two-year-old doesn’t have at least one messy icecream adventure in his short list of life experiences?

Driving back to Chistochina, we discussed and evaluated the effectiveness of my efforts to reach out and connect with communities upriver. Chantelle and I agreed that the project was a success, and that CDFU should definitely continue sharing halibut with folks upriver for years to come.

Peter and I spent one last night in our peaceful cabin, and hit the road early the next morning to drive to Anchorage and catch a ferry back to Cordova. I had set aside one small box of halibut, just in case, and had not used it during the previous day’s deliveries. I decided to drop in, unannounced to the Ahtna office in Glenallen and give the rest of the – still frozen – halibut to them. Gloria Stickwan and Kathryn Martin were not around as they were helping with the benefit dinner at the Copper Center, so I left it with staff to put in the office freezer for a rainy day.

With an empty cargo hold, and a full tank of gas thanks to a quick top up at the “Hub” gas station, we were on our way to Anchorage. Along the drive, sun-lit hillsides emphasized the ominous skies filled with dark rain clouds, looming in the distance. Sun showers soon washed the dust from the car, and cleared the dead bugs from my windshield.

Driving behind a large truck heading in the same direction, a small rock kicked up. Like a hummingbird next to a woolly mammoth, the small chip in my windshield that resulted was nothing in comparison to the large crack that already ran from one side of my windscreen to the other.  Aside from this minor incident, and after 700 miles of driving, I felt relieved that my old, run down rig had made the haul thus far.

Passing through Eureka and the Matanuska Glacier area I was once again taken aback by the spectacular scenery. Towering rock formations jutted out of the rolling hillsides in striking formations, contrasted against high snow-capped peaks, and I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the road. Four hours of driving sped by in no time.

We made the tunnel opening at Whittier, embarked and three hours later disembarked the ferry. Finally back on familiar soil and with a clear sense of direction, I drove home - past the ferry docks and busy cannery buildings and turned into my street just before hitting downtown Cordova. Less than a minute later, I stepped out of my reliable, trustworthy and dependable car, glad to be home after a whirlwind trip. It was then that I heard an unusual “pffffssshhhhhh”. My front tire was leaking air at a rapid pace.

Despite this somewhat unfortunate occurrence, I was relieved that my tire had held out during the big trip upriver. An image flashed to my mind of Peter and I stuck on the side of the road somewhere – I had not taken the spare with me as there was not room for it. Flat tire and all, we were home at last, following a very successful, interesting and worthwhile journey, delivering Cordova ocean-caught halibut to other communities that share our waters of the Copper River.

I am appreciative of all of the wonderful connections I made with communities upriver on behalf of the Prince William Sound commercial fishing fleet, and hope to meet with everyone again next summer.

By Rochelle van den Broek
Executive Director of Cordova District Fishermen United