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Table of Contents ………………………… 2Table of Contents ………………………… 2Lopez Fisheries …………………………... 3Lopez Fisheries …………………………... 3Prince William Sound …………………… 4Prince William Sound …………………… 4Purse Seining …………………………….. 5Purse Seining …………………………….. 5Captain Tom Sr. ………………………….. 6Captain Tom Sr. ………………………….. 6Captain Thomas Jr. ……………………… 7Captain Thomas Jr. ……………………… 7Captain Dustin …………………………... 8Captain Dustin …………………………... 8Captain Alex ……………………………... 9Captain Alex ……………………………... 9Jason: Lopez Fish Media ………………... 10Jason: Lopez Fish Media ………………... 10The Appeal of Alaska …………………… 11The Appeal of Alaska …………………… 11

Alaskan Reality …………………. 12Alaskan Reality …………………. 12Why Film in Alaska? …………………..... 13Why Film in Alaska? …………………..... 13Lopez Fisheries: What’s Different? …...... 14Lopez Fisheries: What’s Different? …...... 14

The Industry …………………….. 15The Industry …………………….. 15The Family ………………………. 16The Family ………………………. 16The Competition ………………... 17The Competition ………………... 17The Personnel …………………… 18The Personnel …………………… 18

Table of Table of ContentsContents

Currently Lopez Fisheries is heading into it’s 3rd generation Currently Lopez Fisheries is heading into it’s 3rd generation of fisherman. The first generation to start in the area was of fisherman. The first generation to start in the area was Michael Lopez, the father of Thomas Lopez Sr. the current Michael Lopez, the father of Thomas Lopez Sr. the current owner/Operator of Lopez Fisheries. A Seiner and overall owner/Operator of Lopez Fisheries. A Seiner and overall Alaskan Mountain man, Mike lived and breathed fishing, with 4 Alaskan Mountain man, Mike lived and breathed fishing, with 4 sons, eventually 1 carrying on the family business.sons, eventually 1 carrying on the family business. Through a collaborative effort, at the age of 15 Tom and his Through a collaborative effort, at the age of 15 Tom and his brother Tim scratched and saved all their money to buy a small brother Tim scratched and saved all their money to buy a small fishing boat called the ‘TNT’. Not known at the time, this would fishing boat called the ‘TNT’. Not known at the time, this would signify the start to an illustrious career in Alaskan Commercial signify the start to an illustrious career in Alaskan Commercial Fishing.Fishing. Currently Lopez Fisheries consists of four commercial Currently Lopez Fisheries consists of four commercial seining vessels. One of the largest amount of vessels owned by seining vessels. One of the largest amount of vessels owned by one group in the fishery. All of the current owners are related one group in the fishery. All of the current owners are related to Tom and have worked in the industry their entire lives. Tom’s to Tom and have worked in the industry their entire lives. Tom’s Son Thomas Jr., Son Alex, and Nephew Dustin all have come to Son Thomas Jr., Son Alex, and Nephew Dustin all have come to become established Captains in the fishery and have a hand in become established Captains in the fishery and have a hand in developing Lopez Fisheries.developing Lopez Fisheries. The personalities are vast amongst four vessels with four The personalities are vast amongst four vessels with four aboard all summer; from Middle-American firefighters to Alaska aboard all summer; from Middle-American firefighters to Alaska bound transients. The allure and adventure and chance at bound transients. The allure and adventure and chance at riches attract all different types of captains and crew alike. The riches attract all different types of captains and crew alike. The Lopez Fisheries group is no different. Being chalked full of a Lopez Fisheries group is no different. Being chalked full of a dynamic group of second and third generation fishermen. dynamic group of second and third generation fishermen. There is never a lack of humor, adventure, pride, tempers, and There is never a lack of humor, adventure, pride, tempers, and competition amongst the Lopez Fisheries vessels. competition amongst the Lopez Fisheries vessels.

Lopez FisheriesLopez Fisheries

With a natural return of With a natural return of millions of Salmon per year the millions of Salmon per year the PWS consistently produces one of PWS consistently produces one of the largest natural Salmon runs in the largest natural Salmon runs in the world. Commercially caught the world. Commercially caught Salmon is sold and shipped to Salmon is sold and shipped to nearly every country worldwide..nearly every country worldwide.. Located off the Gulf of Alaska Located off the Gulf of Alaska on the south coast of the State, on the south coast of the State, Valdez, Alaska and The Prince Valdez, Alaska and The Prince William Sound has weathered the William Sound has weathered the Good Friday Earthquake as well as Good Friday Earthquake as well as the Tsunami of 1964, and known as the Tsunami of 1964, and known as one of the most beautiful areas in one of the most beautiful areas in the state.the state. Prince William Sound Salmon Prince William Sound Salmon fishing is proving to be one of the fishing is proving to be one of the most promising and lucrative in the most promising and lucrative in the industry. With a consistently high industry. With a consistently high return and increasing demand return and increasing demand PWS fisheries are becoming more PWS fisheries are becoming more popular and more competitive popular and more competitive yearly. yearly.

Prince William Prince William SoundSound

Purse Seining is a type of Purse Seining is a type of fishing where there are a number fishing where there are a number of rings on the bottom of a net, of of rings on the bottom of a net, of which a rope passes through. which a rope passes through. When pulled this rope draws the When pulled this rope draws the rings together, preventing the rings together, preventing the escape of fish . The Purse Seine escape of fish . The Purse Seine is a preferred for capturing fish is a preferred for capturing fish which school close to the surface which school close to the surface such as Salmon. Specific to the such as Salmon. Specific to the PWS fishery, one end of the net PWS fishery, one end of the net is held against the current by the is held against the current by the main vessel, and the other end is main vessel, and the other end is held by a secondary vessel called held by a secondary vessel called the ‘Skiff.’ Laying the net and the ‘Skiff.’ Laying the net and bringing it in can often result in bringing it in can often result in 1,000lbs - 250,000lbs of Salmon.1,000lbs - 250,000lbs of Salmon. The involvement of three The involvement of three crewmen, a captain, and a skiff-crewmen, a captain, and a skiff-man require seamless work in man require seamless work in bringing in the nets. With each bringing in the nets. With each haul being of such importance haul being of such importance the stress is high and work the stress is high and work relations are tested. Extremely relations are tested. Extremely powerful equipment along with powerful equipment along with constantly fighting mother-constantly fighting mother-nature allows for potential nature allows for potential emergencies daily. emergencies daily.

Purse SeiningPurse Seining

Tom, a second generation fisherman, is a native Alaskan, born in Fairbanks and raised in Valdez, fishing since 8 years old. He has been involved in several major fisheries in Alaska and started running boats at the age of 15 with his brothers. With an endless appetite for hard work, no ‘BS’ attitude and stories to match, Tom’s expertise combined with his over the top personality make everyday an experience aboard the F/V Cheerful II.

Captain Tom Sr. Captain Tom Sr. F/V F/V Cheerful IICheerful II

“Listen son, I’m not going to give you anything; no ones ever going to give you anything. Your going to have to figure out a way to get it yourself. Now get to work!” – Tom Sr.

Being Born and raised Being Born and raised in Alaska Thomas was in Alaska Thomas was raised around commercial raised around commercial fishing, spending nearly fishing, spending nearly every day of his young every day of his young life, since 8 months old on life, since 8 months old on Vessels. He assumed a Vessels. He assumed a full deckhand/skiff-man full deckhand/skiff-man position at the age of 13, position at the age of 13, learning and working in learning and working in every position aboard the every position aboard the vessel. Becoming a vessel. Becoming a captain and vessel owner captain and vessel owner at the age of 24. Thomas at the age of 24. Thomas has also assumed a key has also assumed a key role in the development of role in the development of Lopez Fisheries as a Lopez Fisheries as a viable business and viable business and investment option.investment option. Thomas’ never-quit Thomas’ never-quit attitude allows for high attitude allows for high success along with high success along with high stress. Captain and crew stress. Captain and crew relations are always relations are always tested aboard the F/V tested aboard the F/V Conspiracy lending for Conspiracy lending for some dynamic moments. some dynamic moments. Like Tom Sr. Thomas is Like Tom Sr. Thomas is also confident and also confident and boisterous in his opinions, boisterous in his opinions, making him either your making him either your best friend or worst best friend or worst enemy.enemy.

Captain Thomas Captain Thomas F/V F/V ConspiracyConspiracy

"It is literally like ’Wild' out here, you have to circle your spot over and over, marking your territory, hoping someone doesn't come along and fight you for it.”

Born and raised in Born and raised in Alaska, Dustin started Alaska, Dustin started going out on his grand going out on his grand fathers fishing vessels at fathers fishing vessels at age of 8. As with the age of 8. As with the other Lopez boys, Dustin other Lopez boys, Dustin assumed the assumed the responsibilities of a responsibilities of a deckhand at the age of 14, deckhand at the age of 14, and bought and ran the and bought and ran the Potato Point at age 26. Potato Point at age 26. Dustin although very Dustin although very comical is quite reserved, comical is quite reserved, not seeking conflict in not seeking conflict in many situations. Where many situations. Where some might see a some might see a vulnerability, Dustin uses vulnerability, Dustin uses his personality to gain his personality to gain friends and allies amongst friends and allies amongst the fishing fleet. the fishing fleet. Through coaching high Through coaching high school wrestling and school wrestling and teaching in the winter teaching in the winter Dustin seeks to mentor Dustin seeks to mentor young men in the ‘school young men in the ‘school of hard work.’ Dustin of hard work.’ Dustin regularly brings on young regularly brings on young green crewmembers, green crewmembers, allowing for a season full allowing for a season full of new and entertaining of new and entertaining experiences. experiences.

Captain Dustin Captain Dustin F/V Potato F/V Potato PointPoint

“Tom got into a scuffle on the grounds where 2 boats including his got rammed and a crew member jumped from one boat to another, to fight. It was awesome!”

Captain Alex Captain Alex F/V Laissez- F/V Laissez-FaireFaire Along with the rest of the boys Alex spent his young life amongst the fishing boats and Docks of Port Valdez. Eventually living all throughout the U.S. He assumed a full deckhand/skiff-man position at the age of twelve, learning and working in every position aboard the vessel. Alex eventually went on to graduate from college and tried his hand in the business world. Although the comfort of the suit and tie are hard to deny, fishing is in his blood. As the newest of the vessels in the Lopez Fleet, Captain Alex shows promise, making swift calculated decisions that could only be the result of life aboard vessels. As with all of the other Captains Alex is individual in his approach, testing situations and acting accordingly. Known for his

“It’s rougher than it’s ever been out there .”

Jason has been commercial fishing on and off with the Lopez Fisheries Fleet since he was 12 years old. He grew up in Alaska attending school in Anchorage and fishing in Valdez in the summers. After graduating from the University of Alaska Anchorage he became very active in the Alaska political scene even hosting the Jason Cline Program on AM700 KBYR. Jason along with Thomas Jr. has been a key developer in Lopez Fisheries Media through Website Design and communications. He is the younger brother of Captain Dustin and Cousin to Captain Thomas Jr. and Alex. Jason’s political and business expertise have honed his negotiation technique, getting him both in and out of trouble regularly.

JasonJason Lopez Fish Lopez Fish MediaMedia

“Fishing is a business now, not just savage dirty fishermen. Now it’s savage dirty ‘fisher-businessmen’”

Alaska State Trooper Alaska State Trooper – – Troopers and their duties in Troopers and their duties in AlaskaAlaska National Geographic Channel National Geographic Channel

(2009 – present) (2009 – present) Currently on its 5Currently on its 5thth season season

((52 Episodes52 Episodes))

Deadliest CatchDeadliest Catch – Alaskan – Alaskan Commercial Crab FishermenCommercial Crab Fishermen Discovery Channel (2005 – Discovery Channel (2005 –

present)present) Currently Completed it 8Currently Completed it 8thth

Season (Season (125 Episodes125 Episodes))

Gold Rush AlaskaGold Rush Alaska – Alaskan – Alaskan Gold MinersGold Miners Discovery Channel (2010 – Discovery Channel (2010 –

present)present) Currently into its 3Currently into its 3rdrd season season

((58 Episodes58 Episodes))

The Appeal of AlaskaThe Appeal of AlaskaAlaska is “So HOT right now!”

Ice Road TruckersIce Road Truckers – Long Haul – Long Haul Truck Drivers in AlaskaTruck Drivers in Alaska Discovery Channel (2007 – Discovery Channel (2007 –

Present)Present) Currently into its 6Currently into its 6thth Season Season

((84 Episodes84 Episodes

Bering Sea GoldBering Sea Gold – Gold Miners – Gold Miners on boats in Nome, Alaskaon boats in Nome, Alaska Discovery Channel (2012 – Discovery Channel (2012 –

present)present) Currently airing its 3Currently airing its 3rdrd Season Season

((into 16into 16thth Episode Episode))

Flying Wild AlaskaFlying Wild Alaska – Alaskan – Alaskan Family run Bush Pilot ServiceFamily run Bush Pilot Service Discovery Channel (2011 – Discovery Channel (2011 –

present)present) Currently completed its 3Currently completed its 3rdrd

season (season (31 Episodes31 Episodes))

Alaskan Reality = Alaskan Reality = SuccessSuccess

- Filming HoursFilming Hours – During – During the summer in Alaska the summer in Alaska there is on average 18 there is on average 18 hours of daylight per day hours of daylight per day plus 3 hours of dawn and plus 3 hours of dawn and dusk. This combined with dusk. This combined with one of the longest one of the longest ‘Golden’ or ’Magic’ ‘Golden’ or ’Magic’ filming hours in the world filming hours in the world make Alaska an optimal make Alaska an optimal environment for environment for maximum filming time.maximum filming time.

- TerritoryTerritory – There are – There are countess different countess different landscapes and landscapes and ecosystems within ecosystems within Alaska. With unlimited Alaska. With unlimited numbers of potential numbers of potential filming locations, Alaska filming locations, Alaska can help you realize can help you realize several of your specific several of your specific visions.visions.

- The Alaska Film Incentive The Alaska Film Incentive ProgramProgram: This is an : This is an economic development economic development initiative created to initiative created to encourage growth of the encourage growth of the film industry in Alaska. film industry in Alaska. Applicants qualify for up Applicants qualify for up to 44% in tax credit to 44% in tax credit qualified expenditures. qualified expenditures.

- In 2012 the Alaska In 2012 the Alaska legislature expanded legislature expanded legislation that will legislation that will continue the Incentive continue the Incentive Program through 2023.Program through 2023.

Why Film in Alaska?Why Film in Alaska?

Lopez Fisheries: Lopez Fisheries: What’s What’s Different?Different? Lopez Fisheries is different in nearly everyway than other Alaskan Reality based shows. The Industry, the Family, the Competition, and the Personnel are all related in dynamic and different ways. From childhood experiences at the harbors to struggling as new Captains, the relationships are unlike any others. Nowhere else will you find a multi-generational family filled with vast experiences and successes in one of the most exciting and challenging professions in the world. The dynamic and point of view between four different vessels, captains, and crews is unmatched.

The Industry: The Industry: The Prince William Sound The Prince William Sound Salmon Fishery is currently Salmon Fishery is currently one of the most profitable one of the most profitable and sought after fisheries in and sought after fisheries in Alaska and the U.S. After Alaska and the U.S. After recovery from the well recovery from the well known Exxon Valdez Oil known Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in 1989 the fishery and Spill in 1989 the fishery and it’s fishermen ‘clawed’ their it’s fishermen ‘clawed’ their way past some of the least way past some of the least profitable years ever on profitable years ever on record. These fishermen record. These fishermen are now seasoned veterans are now seasoned veterans with million dollar with million dollar operations fishing alongside operations fishing alongside a young established group a young established group of up and coming of up and coming fishermen. fishermen. Yearly veterans and Yearly veterans and rookies alike put it all on rookies alike put it all on the line vying for a bigger the line vying for a bigger piece of the pie. piece of the pie.

The DifferenceThe Difference

Family:Family:

The Difference The Difference

Competition:Competition: ‘ ‘Cut-throat’ is the most Cut-throat’ is the most accurate way to describe accurate way to describe the Purse Seine fishery. If the Purse Seine fishery. If you do not watch out for you do not watch out for yourself no one will, you will yourself no one will, you will be taken advantage of be taken advantage of around every corner and no around every corner and no one will blink an eye. one will blink an eye. Veterans utilize their Veterans utilize their experience to outsmart, experience to outsmart, while the new generation while the new generation works hard to survive. works hard to survive. Finding the balance Finding the balance between impulse and between impulse and calculated judgments can calculated judgments can mean the difference mean the difference between success and between success and complete failure. The complete failure. The success of an entire season success of an entire season can come down to 2 or 3 can come down to 2 or 3 days making each and every days making each and every decision crucial to a good decision crucial to a good season or bankruptcy. season or bankruptcy.

The DifferenceThe Difference

The PersonnelThe Personnel: : Besides the Family of Besides the Family of Captains, the personalities Captains, the personalities amongst the crewmen and local amongst the crewmen and local small-town Alaskans is small-town Alaskans is unmatched. The Commercial unmatched. The Commercial fishing lifestyle attracts fishing lifestyle attracts ‘savages’ to college students, ‘savages’ to college students, professionals to transients, and professionals to transients, and ‘salt of the earth’ workers to ‘salt of the earth’ workers to hippies. There is never a lack hippies. There is never a lack of personality on the docks or of personality on the docks or aboard the vessels. aboard the vessels. With regulars such as ‘Dirty-With regulars such as ‘Dirty-D Donahue’, ‘The Fireman’, and D Donahue’, ‘The Fireman’, and ‘Chalkie Bear’ Lopez Fisheries ‘Chalkie Bear’ Lopez Fisheries has more than it’s share of on-has more than it’s share of on-of-a-kind personalities.of-a-kind personalities.

The DifferenceThe Difference