Crab by numbers is nothing like the old art sets - paint by numbers for those of you who might not be familiar with them. Or maybe it is. As the areas are filled with color a distinct picture emerges.
The way that the poundage numbers stacked up on Season 2 of the Deadliest Catch, and the continual use of the term "the big dogs" may lead the uneducated viewer to a false assumption. The total poundage actually owned by the boats vs. the total poundage leased is an important item to know.
Yes, it is true that some of the larger boats do own more quota poundage, and rightly so. However, the dollar amounts you saw on the television reflect largely leased quota. Don't believe me? Check it out. The original quotas per vessel are public record.
About that leased quota....here is how that worked out during the 2005 red crab season:
70% of the value of the crab went directly to the owner of the quota. If a leased quota of 100,000 pounds was sold at $5.00 per pound, that would be a cool half million bucks. Immediately a check is cut to the owner of that quota for $350,000. The remaining balance of $150,000 goes to the boat. Of course the boat owner takes a nice sized chunk, at least 50%. At this point expenses can be taken out - fuel, bait, gear, etc. This drops the gross significantly. If the owner is the skipper, he is paid another 20%. A hired skipper is paid far less, down as low as 12%. The deck crew comes in at about 7%, and a greenhorn or "half share guy" even less. The food expense can be divided by however many hands there are and that is taken off of the share. Can't forget airfare either, well over $1,000 round trip from Seattle to Dutch.
Are the above numbers true for every boat? No, of course not. Each vessel is an individual business, thus their pay scales can vary greatly. Some boats are very family oriented and pay their hands well. Others are.....well, not so much. When Season 2 re-airs, take a good look at those numbers. You will have a good idea of who owns, who leases, and how they pay.
Stay tuned!
<' )))>-{
The way that the poundage numbers stacked up on Season 2 of the Deadliest Catch, and the continual use of the term "the big dogs" may lead the uneducated viewer to a false assumption. The total poundage actually owned by the boats vs. the total poundage leased is an important item to know.
Yes, it is true that some of the larger boats do own more quota poundage, and rightly so. However, the dollar amounts you saw on the television reflect largely leased quota. Don't believe me? Check it out. The original quotas per vessel are public record.
About that leased quota....here is how that worked out during the 2005 red crab season:
70% of the value of the crab went directly to the owner of the quota. If a leased quota of 100,000 pounds was sold at $5.00 per pound, that would be a cool half million bucks. Immediately a check is cut to the owner of that quota for $350,000. The remaining balance of $150,000 goes to the boat. Of course the boat owner takes a nice sized chunk, at least 50%. At this point expenses can be taken out - fuel, bait, gear, etc. This drops the gross significantly. If the owner is the skipper, he is paid another 20%. A hired skipper is paid far less, down as low as 12%. The deck crew comes in at about 7%, and a greenhorn or "half share guy" even less. The food expense can be divided by however many hands there are and that is taken off of the share. Can't forget airfare either, well over $1,000 round trip from Seattle to Dutch.
Are the above numbers true for every boat? No, of course not. Each vessel is an individual business, thus their pay scales can vary greatly. Some boats are very family oriented and pay their hands well. Others are.....well, not so much. When Season 2 re-airs, take a good look at those numbers. You will have a good idea of who owns, who leases, and how they pay.
Stay tuned!
<' )))>-{
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