The Tender Life: A Journey Through Alaska’s Fisheries

By Anne Winters; Northern Lights Media, 2024; 220 pages; $29.95.

Anne Winters’ memoir, “The Tender Life: 20 Years of Commercial Fish Tendering in Alaska,” chronicles her unexpected journey into Alaska’s fisheries, igniting a life-long passion that began with a chance encounter in Seldovia in 1983. After her marriage ended, Winters moved to Homer, where fate brought her together with her second husband, Ron Winters, whose dream to work in fishing soon became hers.

The couple acquired an old tender vessel, the Mutual, renovated it, and set sail for a new life. Winters shares their adventures in a series of engaging essays detailing life on the high seas and the challenges of fishing along Alaska’s coasts.

Amidst the backdrop of the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989, the couple initially worked to provide housing and meals to cleanup workers. This marked their entry into commercial fisheries, where they would spend twenty years navigating the waters from Prince William Sound to Kodiak, tackling species like salmon, cod, and herring.

Winters offers vivid accounts of life at sea—describing everything from an unusual dive fishery for abalone to a harrowing moment when the Mutual caught fire, forcing them into survival mode. These gripping recollections showcase not only the physical demands of their work but also the profound connections they forged with the environment.

With a clear and straightforward narration reminiscent of her journalism background, Winters’ essays illuminate the often-overlooked world of fish tendering. “The Tender Life” is a testament to resilience, love, and the transformative power of nature, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in life on the ocean.

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