Bill Armstrong
- Bill Armstrong started his fishing career in high school and returned to it after working as an electrical engineer.
- He implements sustainable fishing practices on the Martina, using larger mesh sizes and shorter trawling times to ensure the maturity of shrimp and reduce bycatch.
- Aboard the historic fishing vessel Martina, Bill enjoys the challenge of catching halibut and prefers the rich taste of black cod.
Fisherman Q&A
Q: Where do you fish?
A: Wrangell, Alaska
Q: Which products do you sell to Sea to Shore Seafood?
A: Side Stripe Shrimp, Spot Shrimp (aka Prawns)
Q: Can you share fun facts about your Vessel name?
A: Built in 1967 for Petersburg fisherman John Enge, the Martina has known many owners and seasons over her lifetime: purse seining for salmon, king crab, long lining for halibut and black cod. Bill became the Martina’s latest co-owner with brother in-law Charlie Christensen in 2015, and has added tendering gillnet salmon, and beam trawling for prawns to her list of fisheries.
Q: How did you get started in fishing? How long have you been commercially fishing? Any family history in commercial fishing?
A: Bill started hand pulling halibut gear (long line) from his skiff in High School in Wrangell Alaska. From there he crewed on various purse seiners to put himself through college. 2009 saw Bill’s return to commercial fishing after a 30 year career as an electrical engineer.
Q: What sustainable fishing practices and/or gear types do you use?
A: We have increased our mesh size to 1.895 inches to ensure we are only harvesting mature shrimp, and have decreased our time on the bottom to 60 minutes to minimize bycatch.
Q: What do you love most about life on the water?
A: Good food, good views, slow pace
Q: What is your favorite type of fish to catch or favorite method of fishing and why?
A: Halibut - they put up a good fight, and keep things interesting.
Q: What is your favorite fish or seafood to eat and why?
A: Black cod - it’s so rich tasting!
