Originally published Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Skipper agrees to hawk Global crab
Bellevue-based Global Fishing has sought out some unlikely promoters for its Russian crab: the Alaska skippers who gained fame in "Deadliest...
Seattle Times staff reporter
Bellevue-based Global Fishing has sought out some unlikely promoters for its Russian crab: the Alaska skippers who gained fame in "Deadliest Catch," the hit reality series about crab fishing on the Discovery Channel.
Three skippers confirmed to The Seattle Times that they were contacted by Global over the summer.
Two said they rejected the offer to promote Russian crab. A third, Sig Hansen, skipper of the Puget Sound-based F/V Northwestern, agreed to the offer.
That crab is being sold in colorful 2-pound boxes in some Wal-Mart stores. The boxes feature a front picture of the Northwestern bucking rough seas and the signature of "Capt. Sig." On the back side, the crab is identified as a product of Russia packed in the United States.
Hansen, in a telephone interview Monday from his boat in the Bering Sea, said he hoped the endorsement would help overall marketing of all king-crab products, by spurring sales and driving up prices. He said other endorsements are in the works that would feature only Alaska products.
"Global is not the end-all and be-all, and they understand my position of how delicate this all is," Hansen said.
Hansen said his payment for the endorsements would be tied to sales, and he has not received any money yet. A portion of the sales will be donated to a fishermen's memorial fund, according to a sticker on a box of the crab that The Times purchased Monday at a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Federal Way.
In September, the Russian government arrested Global's chief executive officer, Arkadi Gontmakher, a Bellevue resident, and accused the company of a conspiracy to export illegally caught crab products to the United States.
Hansen said he was aware that Gontmakher had been arrested but was not aware of allegations that the company had imported poached product.
"Let's face it, in Russia, it's a different system," Hansen said. "He should be considered innocent until he's proven guilty."
Wal-Mart officials did not respond to several attempts at contact by The Times. Global declined to comment. Jonathan Hillstrand, owner of the F/V Time Bandit of Homer, Alaska, said he received numerous phone calls in the summer from Global, trying to persuade him to promote the Russian product.
"I turned them down. This is a fishery that has operated like the complete Wild West with blatant [conservation] violations," Hillstrand said.
![]()
Phil Harris, owner of the F/V Cornelia Marie of Kodiak, Alaska, also turned down the Global Fishing marketing pitch.
"This whole thing stinks to high heaven," said Harris. "We are madly trying to get consumers to buy American seafood."
Hal Bernton: 206-464-2581 or hbernton@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 02:18 PM
Arson suspect has long history of setting fires
Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders
Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
Kirkland annex 'yes' could be slipping away
UPDATE - 02:25 PM
Kent man challenges Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' gun ban

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Man says he will protest city's gun ban by carrying gun into community center
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
635 - OSU game thread
458 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
338 - KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
143 - Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
142 - NYC trial for 9/11 suspects poses risks
125 - Wright State game thread
97 - Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders
90 - Rang says Locker not ready for NFL
85 - Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue
82
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- An 802.11n upgrade could make a big difference
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15









