Charlotte Bramich is spending her summer with us as a seasonal fisheries technician. We asked her to look back at her experience in Alaska this summer. She shares highlights including the value of long sleeves, the importance of food to fuel full days working outside, and what being part of salmon aquaculture has meant to her.
How did you find out about this position?
I’ve been working different contract jobs and really wanted to get to Alaska! I actually just did a google search of different hatcheries and came across Tutka Bay. The location, facilities, and organization all seemed to suit me, so I checked to see if there were any employment opportunities for the following season and there were! I applied right away.
Walk us through your daily routine.
It depends on what we’re doing! A few weeks ago, after the seiners came, we were sorting sockeye out at the net pens. We were dip netting and moving them to another net pen so we could get a count of how many bucks and hens we had. We rotated in and out of “the clicker” role when we needed to take a break. Since then, we’ve also spent full days sorting between pinks and sockeye, moving them to the appropriate pens. Now that we’re in pink spawn, we are either dip netting or cutting the fish and removing their eggs.
How do the elements (weather, cold, sun) affect your work?
Things I always have in my bag: an extra fleece, extra socks, sunglasses, a hat, and extra snacks. Being prepared for the day is the key to working outside. That typically means bringing extra layers! In the event my boots get flooded or my feet get cold, I have backup socks. And if my fleece gets wet or the sun goes down, an extra fleece is nice to have! I’ve made my peace with only wearing long sleeves when we’re out at the net pens. Time flies and we’re typically covered in fish slime and it’s just easier to avoid sunburn when I inevitably forget to reapply sunblock. I’m super grateful to have prescription sunglasses which makes it easier to see the fish. Sun, clouds, and rain can all roll in fast, so bringing these staples are crucial to me having a successful day being comfortable.
What is there to eat and drink at the net pens?
Whatever you bring! We do have a large water jug out at the net pens so we can refill our water bottles, but lunch and snacks are on you. At Tutka, we pretty much share the food we bring out. I ask for trail mix and I share my goldfish! It’s a fair trade.
I meal prep most of my lunches, so this week I’ll be having a salad and a taco bowl when we’re out. When we’re running low on groceries or I don’t meal prep a lot, I’ll pack out a PB&J. I typically bring out goldfish and a sweet treat, as well. It’s really important to bring enough food to match your activity level and the weather! Working in the sun or cold all day can be super taxing and fueling yourself properly is important.
Back at the hatchery, we share many responsibilities, but one main aspect is providing sweets for each other. One of us makes cookies every week, another will bake banana bread before our bananas go bad, and we’ve started adding cinnamon rolls in our grocery order so we can satisfy our cravings! Life is about balance.
Where do you sleep and keep the stuff you brought with you?
We’ve got dry cabins at the hatchery that can fit four! I share a bunkhouse with one of my coworkers, and we keep all of our belongings in there. It’s got plenty of space for us both! Some things I won’t be using until after I leave, so those things just stay in my suitcase.
When you're not working, how do you spend your time?
Our days off can be staggered, so maybe we’ll have a Wednesday off instead of a Saturday or Sunday, so it can be difficult to make plans in advance. We’ve spent our time hiking, whether it’s over to Seldovia to grab some food or up to the alpine region. We have berries all around the hatchery, so berry picking is also a big deal for me! I’ve spent a lot of my free time hunkering down with a good book or calling home to let family and friends know that I’m still alive and well. The hatchery has a kayak, so going kayaking or for a cold plunge in the creek have been two ways to enjoy the copious amounts of water we’re surrounded by! I also brought things to water color!
What is the most challenging aspect of this job?
I think the most challenging aspect is what to do with my time off. It’s more physically demanding than other jobs I’ve had and while I want to go explore on my time off, I also want to prioritize resting (to a degree).
What is your favorite part of this job?
Being outside all day and seeing the wildlife. I’ve never seen so many fish and bald eagles before and learning about all of the other birds around the area has been really cool. I’ve really enjoyed seeing bear, otters, and harbor seals.
What lessons will you take away from this experience?
I’ve learned so much about this part of Alaska, from plants to the salmon fishery, and the important work that hatcheries are doing to support local fishing. I’ve also learned that cinnamon rolls in a pie dish are far better than baking them as individuals.
