Tag Archives: Tuna Capital of the World

Local fishermen fight for survival and infrastructure in changing San Diego waters

In the early morning hours, as most San Diegans prepare for their daily commute, Mario and Jordan Souza set out on a different kind of journey. The father-son duo boards their boat, the Extremis, to continue a family tradition that spans generations. “Welcome to the office,” Mario says as he gestures to their vessel and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean stretching out before them. The Souza’s story is about resilience, adaptability, and a deep-rooted passion for the sea. Jordan, who started in the fishing industry at the age of eleven, recalls his father taking him fishing as a toddler. They come from three generations of fishermen and remember the glory days of San Diego’s fishing industry well. Photos, Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:09

Bluefin tuna in P.E.I. are so hungry they no longer fear humans

Bobbing up and down on cold Atlantic waters, several fishermen toss scaly, silver mackerel overboard. It’s a delicious snack for a bluefin tuna — the largest species of tuna in the world, measuring more than six feet in length and weighing up to 1,600 pounds. The newcomer among them, a writer and ecologist, expects to spend the afternoon patiently waiting for a bite. Instead, the bluefin tuna here in North Lake, P.E.I. are so abundant and so hungry that within minutes their trademark yellow caudal finlets are circling the boat. click here to read the story 18:29

San Diego’s Commercial Fishing Industry Skeptical Of Massive Port Makeover

There are no metaphors here: The boat isn’t life, the fish aren’t dreams and no deep truths lie hidden among the worn creases and fresh scars on Harris’ hands. His voice, a blend of sea salt and gargled pebbles, isn’t a reflection on the primal nature of man. He’s just a fisherman, having a rough day, and will try again tomorrow. It’s the tomorrow that holds all the meaning. In the city once hailed as the Tuna Capital of the World, Harris and roughly 150 other local commercial fishermen have seen their numbers dwindle against ever constricting catch laws and the crush of foreign competition. Today, in a turnaround, this aging generation finds itself in a position of power: able to make or break a billion-dollar development proposal called Seaport, which seeks to radically redefine San Diego’s waterfront. “There’s a 50-50 chance that we could kill it,” Harris said. But killing it won’t solve their problems. Like every real-life situation, the fishermen’s tale is not black and white. Read the story here 12:04