Commercial Salmon Fishermen on Strike

Commercial fisherman Bill Webb is selling fresh-caught wild King Salmon off his fishing boat at Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay for $8 per pound. When the fish on ice are gone, Webb says there won't be any more for awhile.

Webb and his fellow fishermen held a meeting Tuesday and voted to strike, leaving most of the fleet docked Wednesday. "There are a few renegades fishing," Webb said. "There always are."

Webb's beef is fish prices. He and his fellow commercial fishermen are being offered $2.75 per pound for their catch. Just steps from the dock, Princeton Seafood Company is selling whole King Salmon for $9.99/lb.  Fillets are going for a whopping $22.99/lb. 

The low price for King Salmon leaves a bitter taste in Webb's mouth. "The price that they're offering to us, we can't make it," Webb said. "The cost of diesel, gear loss, paying a deck hand his share--unless you get a tremendous haul, you can't make a living."

Webb hopes buyers will up their offer soon, but he'll keep his boat docked as long as necessary.  He has no intention of working grueling days just to lose money.

Patch has been unable to reach a spokesman for King Salmon buyers. If we receive a comment, it will be added to this story.

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