Winding down on Thursday....

Thursday is the final day of the conference and things are starting to wind down now. The trade show packed up yesterday and there are less sessions running so its easier to choose which presentations to attend.

Last night was the Grand Social - we caught the monorail from downtown Seattle to the Seattle Centre. To avoid the inevitable queues we got our tickets for the Space Needle and ascended to the observation deck, where there were stunning views all round the city, from Puget Sound, downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier and the Olympic mountains in the distance. And of course there was beer on offer....start the diet next week I think...

Downtown Seattle

Puget Sound

Space Needle

We sampled some of the excellent food on offer (Alaskan salmon, black cod, corn on the cob etc) but didn't have too much as we were going out to eat later. We joined the queue for the 'Experience Music Project' - an incredible collection of guitars, Hendrix memorabilia and even a live band on stage. There were places you could don headphones and listen to Hendrix track, and actually remix them to pick out the various instruments. There were the original Hendrix guitars on show, including the white Strat that he played at Woodstock - a rendition of the "Start Spangled Banner"....

I could have stayed there all night (and more)...but we left to dine at the Waterfront Restaurant - a fantastic location out on the pier, with a menu including Black Cod, Snow Crab legs (huge!! - if that's the legs I dread to think how big the crab is), Dungeness Crab, calamari, oysters...the lot. One of our party had a steak - which must have been about 4 inches thick.

We set off for a local blues club and arrived just in time for their last number...which was disappointing. But what an incredible number  - the guitarist was amazing. The band thanked us for turning up (we were half the audience!) - we offered them $150 to do some more but two of the band had to drive to Portland Oregon that night (only a few hundred miles!)....

Wednesday - halfway there....

Last night was the HTI social at the aquarium - because of the sheer numbers we were divided into three time slots, but despite this there were the usual queues to get in. The evening was sponsored by HTI (hydroacoustics) and they had a number of demonstration running. They had fish in one of the tanks which had been tagged - a small electronic tag had been put inside a food pellet and the fish had eaten it. The output from the tags were displayed on a giant computer screen.

coloured traces showing the position of the fish....

There were some interesting exhibits including a shoreline with waves generated on it, together with exhibits such as northern fur seals. There was the inevitable beer but sadly all the food had gone by the time I got in so we ended up hunting round for somewhere still serving at after 10.30. Found a late night bar/restaurant and had a pretty average, over priced salmon flatbread.

Seattle sunset...

Lesser spotted stripy weegledouferfish

My usual daily routine is to get up about 6 and go down to the lobby where there is a small coffee shop. I get a latte, a croissant and a juice before going back up to my room to eat these, write this blog, and select the days presentations. I have managed to get a $5voucher towards the cost of breakfast by declining room service - I can make my own bed despite what Les thinks.....! Presentations start at 8am so the rest of the morning is spent moving from room to room to ensure I get to see as much as possible. There is a mid morning break - yet more coffee, biscuits, muffins etc. Then another session... until lunch.

Lunch varies depending on who's around -this lunchtime I went with Ian Cowx and Ian Winfield to the Cheesecake factory -across the road from the conference centre. The trick with American eating, I have decided, is to get the smallest thing on the menu. I ordered a turkey sandwich but this also came with a large bowl of baked potato soup (tasty!). Thank goodness I asked them to hold the green salad....I accompanied this with freshly squeezed orange and it cost about $15.

Tonight is the 'Grand Social' at the Seattle Needle and space park - and afterwards we plan to go to a nearby blues club....

The conference begins....

An early start next morning to get down for the Plenary session. This had been scheduled to take place in the convention centre but the large numbers meant that it was switched to the impressive Paramount Theatre nearby. We were directed to the new venue by AFS helpers holding model fishes on sticks – which was very useful!

Paramount theatre

The plenary session opened by an invocation from 2 elders of the Muckleshoot tribe. This consisted of a prayer followed by a song , both of which were heard in perfect silence by the audience, who gave both elders an appreciative round of applause.

Next, Dow Constantine, executive director of the local county, King County, welcomed delegates. Dow has been instrumental in various committees and groups working to protect and restore salmon populations in the region. He suggested that policy makers need three main qualities from fisheries scientists – clarity in the information provided; a rigorous assessment of risks involved in various policy choices; and a good appraisal of the effects of the various management options. He also highlighted conflicts between riparian management policies of the US Corps of Engineers (which seem to be based on excessive removal of vegetation from waterways following lessons from Hurricane Katrina) and policies aimed at good salmon management. I can see parallels there in the UK with the excessive vegetation removal actions of some Internal Drainage boards…..

Randall Peterman – an optimistic view of challenges facing fisheries scientists and managers. Randall suggested that fisheries science must engender hope to succeed, and later spoke of what new fisheries scientists need – an understanding of systems ecology, knowledge of underlying physical processes, communication and influencing skills, and statistics ability.

Billy Frank – native American leadership in the management of pacific salmon. Billy speaks for the salmon on behalf of 20 tribes in western Washington.  Billy gave an impassioned speech asking for the federal government to take action now to protect and restore the salmon populations.

Jesse Trushenski – the ecology of fisheries education. Jesse gave an interesting speech highlighting the need for new fisheries scientists being ‘specialised generalists’, using examples from ecology to illustrate this. She suggested that scientists need basic core competencies, together with need, emerging techniques. Jesse had surveyed a number of colleges and employers, and one of the views expressed was that potential fisheries staff, in addition to intellectual ability, need practical skills such as knowing how to hitch a boat, back a trailer and even hold a hammer. She concluded by advising new entrants to the profession to be driven, and to do whatever they can to put themselves ahead of their peers.

A number of awards were given during the morning. The most poignant of these was to Fred Allendorf, a former professor at Montana University. Fred appeared on a video clip, relating how , when he first started out in fisheries, he had known Carl Ricker (a legendary name in the fisheries world). When the video was recorded in the summer, Fred was suffering from leukemia, and had passed away some two weeks later.

Sunday 4th September 2011

After a morning of catching up with emails I attended the meetings of the two sections that facilitate the exchange programme with the Institute. At both meetings I give an update on the situation over in the UK, and with the Institute. In addition to the usual business of the section (reports, officer elections), there were a number of items which are of interest.

Later in the day we all assembled for the welcome social in the Grand Ballroom. With over 4000 registered attendees it was, needless to say, busy. I met up with the much travelled Professor Ian Cowx, head of Hull International Fisheries Institute, and also Andy Turnpenny of Turnpenny Horsfield Associates. There was a fantastic range of seafood available, as would be expected in Seattle, including cod, mussels and oysters. During the evening I also met up with Mark Bowen, who works with Andy Turnpenny and has given presentations at our conference in 2009 and more recently at our screens conference in March.

Sleepless in Seattle?

Saturday 3^rd September 2011

Woke up ridiculously early and eventually got up at about 6. Took breakfast in the ‘Daily Grill’ – after some thought went for the continental option. After breakfast spent some time using the free wifi in the lobby before leaving the hotel at 9.

I made my way down Pike Avenue – Seattle was very quiet this early on a Saturday. I found Pike Place market – well known local attraction where there was a fish stall crammed with huge salmon (pacific), crabs, prawns, clams and oysters. The guys on the stall are adept at throwing fish around – didn’t see that today but will go back.

After a look round the various other shops in the market (jewellery, souvenirs etc) I went down towards the waterfront. The view down here has been somewhat spoilt by an elevated expressway built all along it. I walked along the waterfront to Bell pier –a huge liner, the Norwegian Star, had just docked and its passengers (many!!) were coming ashore to a host of coaches, taxis and cars. It really was huge close to, with cabins and staterooms lined along the side. I was pleased to notice they had left some room for lifeboats though…

Seattle

Waterfront properties on bainbridge island...dont ask how much they cost...!!

Winslow with cones

I walked back down the waterfront past the Seattle aquarium – I learned later that there is a social event here on Tuesday so will look forward to that if I can get a ticket…at this stage I was ready for a coffee so found the inevitable Starbucks and ordered a large Pike Place roast coffee – which was excellent.

One of the top attractions in Seattle is a trip to Bainbridge island so despite any misgivings about going on any sort of sea based activity I bought a return ticket ($7.10) for the 11.25 sailing and embarked for the 35 minute crossing. As my last sea trip was what has become known as the nightmare of Kangaroo island in Australia I was a bit nervous.

I needn’t have worried – the crossing was absolutely motionless. Thinking about it, of course, it is not the open sea as it is sheltered by the various islands. It was really windy and I noticed many of the Americans wrapped up in several layers – I braved it in a T shirt cos us brits are tough….

Seattle space needle

I walked my lunch off by taking the coast trail back to the ferry dock. Another perfect crossing, with some great shots of the Seattle skyline. It was now getting really hot (over 28 degrees) so decided to go back to the hotel and cool off – I climbed the Harbour Steps on the way back.

Harbour steps

We docked at Winslow and I joined the throng making their way up the main street – which was possibly not as scenic as usual due to roadworks…Winslow consists of a single main street with various bookshops, souvenir shops and in addition, there was a market on today. I considered getting a sausage in a roll but decided that $6 was somewhat excessive. Instead, I walked down to the marina and took a table at Docs Marina Grill. I sat in the shade with a really nice view out into the harbour and ordered a pint of Coors and a blackened salmon sandwich. Both were absolutely delicious…as were the inevitable fries…but what is the point of gherkins?

gherkin????

how safe would you feel in this in a high wind?.....

After changing into a fresh shirt I made my way to the Convention centre to register for the conference. At registration I bumped into Dirk Miller, president of the Fisheries management section, who came to our Portsmouth conference last year. He invited me to drinks with the AFS Governing board over in the Seattle Hyatt. At the drinks reception I met up with Bob Curry from North Carolina and various other AFS officers I had met in previous visits.

halibut and chips!!!

As it was about 6 we arranged to go and eat, and a large group of us made our way down to Pike Place market where we occupied a few table at the Pike – bar/restaurant. A number of pitchers of pale ale were ordered…..Being Seattle, you have to eat fish so I went for the halibut, which came in basket (!) with fries  -it was delicious…Also in the Pike were several stag and hen parties  -very loud! The hen party nearest to us had a list of challenges – which included (I think) – being from overseas, and speaking with an accent – so I fitted the bill on two counts. Thankfully all I had to do was pose for a picture.

And that was that –another early night…..

a long way to go to get a coffee....

Thursday 1^st September 2011

I took the train to Manchester airport as usual, leaving it as late as possible so I could eat at home wi’t wife and avoid having to eat on my own at the hotel –which I hate. I booked a room at the Radisson Blu hotel on Manchester airport – it is connected to the rail station and terminal 2 by a walkway so is really convenient.

The train wasn’t very busy and I checked in at the hotel at 11 and got a good night’s sleep. My flight wasn’t until 11 and I had checked in online so didn’t need to get up particularly early. I had the full English to start the day off but shock!! – no fried eggs! What is going on? Feel a letter of complaint coming on…

Made a gentle stroll to the terminal, and (I thought) a quick bag drop – but STILL had to queue to check in (so what’s the point of online???)….also found myself in the queue behind the entire Barrow Raiders Rugby league team –off for a club tour in France (via Amsterdam). However, when I got to check in, I was able to change my crap middle seat for an aisle seat –thanks KLM!

Whilst waiting at the gate for the Amsterdam flight I kept hearing calls for the US Airways flight to Philly that I have taken in previous years. That wasn’t an option this time as I wouldn’t have got to Seattle until late evening.

The flight to Amsterdam was uneventful, apart from an announcement that due to a passenger having a severe reaction to peanuts, they wouldn’t be serving any snacks. Oh no!! I thought…how will I make it through a 1 hour flight without any food….

We landed at Schipol on time and finding the departure terminal was easy  - plenty of signs. Schipol looks to be a really good airport – clean, well organised and easy to navigate. Out of interest I tried to change my seat but none were available. At the gate we had to go through security again, but that was quick and painless, and it wasn’t long before we were boarding. I was pleasantly surprised when I found my seat – in the economy comfort zone – loads of leg room and as a bonus a space behind to stand up (mark row 19 on 767s down for future reference!!).

Shortly after, the food and drink started arriving (thinks –will start diet tomorrow). A snack initially (pretzels –what is it with Americans and pretzels –is there any logic there (that’s a joke for Steely Dan fans…). And they kept forcing alcohol on me…red wine sir? Beer sir? –what’s a guy to do?

On the downside, this being a 767 there are no individual TV screens (as there are on the Airbus 330 that I usually take). So we all have to watch the same film. And the ‘choice’ (sorry –selection) –was…”Arthur”. No, not the original with Dudley Moore and John Gielgud (which had a certain comedy value) but the abysmal remake with Russell Brand (an outstanding example of how a total lack of any talent or originality needn’t stop a career in films and TV. From the initial sequence (featuring Brand and Luis Guzman dressed up as Batman and Robin driving a replica batmobile through New York pursued by the cops, it dire. Not a laugh. Not one. The only question was what Helen Mirren and Geraldine James were doing in it –but I guess that big cheques compensated for any possible loss of credibility….

So I gave up on the film and started reading ‘Girl who played with fire’ –the second in Stieg Larssens Millennium trilogy until lunch came. Lunch was…interesting. A green salad followed by , well, I'm fairly sure there was chicken involved as the attendant said the choice was vegetarian lasagna or chicken and I obviously went chicken. There was mashed potato involved (just about) but then there was…something else…which may have been vegetable in origin. Now me and veg have this sort of arrangement –mutual loathing – but there are rules. And one of them is that I need to know what type of veg I’m dealing with. It’s only fair after all, to know what (if at all) I am about to taste. But what was glaring out at me was unidentifiable….so I did what I normally do and left it for Les to eat – well, she wanted a present….just hope it keeps fresh in my bag….

Eventually (9.5 hours later) we landed at Seattle Tacoma and I prepared for the nightmare that is US Border control. BUT!!...not only no queue (the queue for the US/Canada was longer!) but the border guard was polite and I was through to baggage claim in no time. And it got better –my bag was off within 10 minutes and I was through…

I caught the airport train to the main terminal and was met by a nice man with a placard reading ‘Dolben’ and a limo to take me to the hotel (the joys of VIP status!!). On the way we passed the Boeing factory where there were several 787’s (Dreamliner) on view (the successor to the 747 and competition for the Airbus 380). Apparently the plane has just got the all clear from the FAA and will be in service soon. The driver explained that Boeing corporate HQ used to be in Seattle but they were enticed to Chicago by the offer of tax breaks.

He dropped me at the hotel and I checked in, got a room on the 24^th floor, and eventually off to sleep…