The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 753: A Life On The Sea
Aug 25, 2025
Mike Douville, an Alaskan commercial fisherman with a lifetime of experience, shares his insights on herring fisheries and the challenges of the fishing industry. His daughter, Heather Douville, discusses sea otter hunting and the importance of cultural traditions in her life. They delve into the balance between recreational and commercial fishing, highlighting the complexities of regulations and diminishing quotas. The conversation also touches on Heather's upcoming show 'Our Way of Life,' celebrating their Alaskan heritage and the joys of outdoor adventures.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Began Fishing At Eleven
- Mike Douville started fishing at age 11 and worked unpaid to support his family until he earned a .22 as pay.
- He saved and bought his first boat in 1970 and ran it for eight years as his own captain.
Built A Boat From Salvage
- Mike and a friend built their first boat from salvaged lumber and copied a local design to get on the water.
- He borrowed a 28hp outboard and used that skiff as his working boat early on.
Herring Harvests Drove Stock Collapse
- The wild herring kelp-roe fishery rapidly expanded and then collapsed in many places due to intensive harvesting techniques.
- Mike says 'pounding' and holding herring to force spawn decimated local stocks and prevented recovery.