News From the Top Deck


(Photo credit: Shaun Strobel. Image: Oliver offloading salmon from the Eldorado) My name is Oliver Strobel. My parents are Sonia and Shaun, co-founders of Skipper Otto. And my grandfather is Otto (yes, the Skipper). According to them, mom came up with the idea for Skipper Otto about a month after I was born, so I’ve … Continued

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Welcome New Fisher – Melanie Fred-Cranmer

July 11, 2024

(Photo credit: Sonia Strobel. Image: Sonia and Melanie in Port Alberni – May 2024) Our members’ dedication to creating a different kind of seafood system is having a huge impact on the lives of fishing families and I want you to join me in welcoming our newest fisher, Melanie Fred-Cranmer, to the Skipper Otto Community! … Continued

Fishing Stories bc fishing deckhand fishing boat fishing families fishing family fishing tales generational fishing vancouver island

Not All Economies Run on Dollars

June 20, 2024

(Photo credit: Shaun Strobel. Image: Oliver filling slurry onto fishing boat Eldorado) Not all economies run on dollars. This is especially true in community-based fishing. And I believe the lessons that kids learn growing up on the fishing grounds set them up for success in other realms of life, too. For the second summer in … Continued

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At Sea with 6 year old Rex Martinelli

May 22, 2024

Every year, we eagerly anticipate stories from sea by our fishing family Bruce and Pilar Martinelli featuring their 6 year old son Rex. Together they ventured out, off the coast of Vancouver Island in search of lingcod recently, and here in Pilar’s own words is a rare glimpse of what life is like with children … Continued

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Skipper Otto Announces BCorp™ Certification

March 13, 2024

(Photo credit: Skipper Otto CSF & BCorp™. Image: logos of Skipper Otto & BCorp™) Skipper Otto Announces B Corp™ Certification Vancouver-Based Community Supported Fishery Joins Global B Corp Community, Leveraging Business as a Force for Good  Wednesday, March 13, 2024: Traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations / Vancouver, BC … Continued

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(Photo credit: Brandon Deepwell c/o Pacific Salmon Foundation. Image: Open Net pens, BC) “We don’t allow open pens of millions of cattle along the migratory routes of endangered caribou; we don’t allow poultry farms in avian sanctuaries; we shouldn’t allow open net pen [salmon farms] on the migratory routes of endangered wild salmon.” – Sean … Continued

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So Much Worth Fighting For: 2024 BC Young Fishermans Gathering

February 7, 2024

(Photo credit: Sonia Strobel, Skipper Otto team with fisher families) Summer might seem pretty far off to most of you, but this is the time of year when fishing families start thinking about and planning for the fishing season ahead. And what better way to prepare than to spend a meaningful couple of days in … Continued

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Meet Lee Gallagher our new salmon fisher!

November 16, 2023

(Photo courtesy of Lee Gallagher, of himself) Hailing from Metchosin B.C on Vancouver Island, Lee Gallagher got his start working at a marine boat rental shop in high school, which solidified what he always knew – that he wanted to work on the ocean. After high school, Lee enrolled at Camosun College in Victoria, and … Continued

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Changing of Seasons – a reflection

October 26, 2023

(Photo credit: Sonia Strobel, Fishing boat Eldorado) I always find the change of seasons to be a powerful time for reflection. This year’s final day of summer and first day of autumn were particularly filled with nostalgia and reflection for me as we headed out on a boat repositioning trip. Boat repositioning trips are a … Continued

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Chinook Fishing with Shaun and Lyndon Strobel

August 29, 2023

(Photo courtesy of Shaun Strobel. Shaun and Lyndon Strobel on the Eldorado boat) This summer marked a big moment in the Strobel family — both our sons, Oliver and Lyndon, now have their faces on the salmon labels of fish they caught while fishing with their dad, Shaun! The idea for Skipper Otto was born … Continued

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Clare

Member since 2015

"My canned salmon arrived in the mail today and it is without a doubt the best I have ever tasted."