Discovery Channel takes viewers to Cape Cod for its latest out of doors journey providing Harpoon Hunters. The on-the-job sequence spotlights the multi-generational household enterprise as these fishermen hit the ocean seeking the Atlantic bluefin tuna, which could be value tens of 1000’s of {dollars}. With the fishery setting a quota of a little bit over 59 metric tons, the competitors is excessive amongst these on the water.
For Captain Joe Dion, it’s about caring for his household. The 38-year-old father of three took two seasons off from the job after his 11-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter had been recognized with a uncommon type of muscular dystrophy (Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2C). He bought his boat and devoted a lot of his life to begin a basis and lift consciousness for the trigger.
Nevertheless, Dion, who began fishing at 13 and captained his personal harpoon boat at 25, couldn’t keep away. He appears to mud the rust off and get again into the swing of issues aboard the Redrum alongside his loyal driver Mike “The Hacker” Miller.
Right here Dion opens up about getting again within the hunt and what’s to return this season.
Discovery Channel
What led you to be on the present?
Joe Dion: It was a change for positive, however I’ve two younger youngsters with muscular dystrophy. Once they got here, and I talked to the producer in regards to the present, I noticed it as an excellent alternative. One, it was an effective way to point out America what we do and the way we fish in the summertime. Secondly, it’s a solution to present the world and lift consciousness about this illness and my basis.
Inform me about your journey coming again to harpooning, which shall be chronicled this season. How was it dipping your toes again into the waters so to talk?
Taking the 2 years off was powerful. I needed to knock some rust off. I had some misses in the beginning of the season. It appeared like I dial it in and begin catching and turning it round. Being off the water, it was household first. Having that dangerous information about my youngsters was actually powerful, so the 2 years I spent off elevating consciousness and beginning this basis was essential. On the finish of the day, I knew I needed to get again to fishing and what we do. It was good to be again. Thank God my workforce was right here. The help has been unbelievable.
What’s the title of the muse?
The Dion Basis for Kids with Uncommon Illnesses. We’re elevating cash and really funding the primary ever human scientific trial in Gainesville, Florida. We’d like some huge cash for this, however it’s going to assist. The issue with this illness is it’s so extremely uncommon there wasn’t a affected person group group, so we developed it. We made a registry all through the nation. We’re combating for it. It has been a ardour. We’ll elevate some huge cash, however we’d like extra. We’re on slate to get gene alternative remedy for these kids within the subsequent 12 months or two. It wouldn’t have occurred with out the beginning of this basis. We simply need to hold rolling. Fishing in the summertime and being with the household and hold going.
You utilize a aircraft to assist in your search. It’s seen within the first episode that this might additionally convey others in your tail. There’s a second the place issues get heated with different fishermen close by as a result of there’s a lot on the road right here.
The usage of an airplane for industrial bluefin tuna fishing isn’t unusual. If you’re flying round with an airplane, it creates this massive banner that claims tuna fish below the aircraft. Different boats that don’t have a aircraft can’t compete. We’re working in an space and seeing the fish earlier than they see it. So when you’re in that circle of the aircraft, you don’t have an excellent likelihood in any respect. You then’re going to mess it up for each of us. Issues do get heated. For those who don’t have an airplane, I’ve fished loads with out one and caught loads and not using a aircraft. You simply need to hold your velocity up and pound the pavement and search for fish as an alternative of trying on the sky. The fish aren’t within the sky. They’re within the water. As a substitute of taking a look at my airplane, search for fish.
How had been the fish this season?
There have been larger fish for positive. A number of the time the fishery occurs 50 or 60 miles away in what we name the blue water, which is an extended boat trip up proper in. The fishery has actually rebounded within the final decade. The fish are larger. They’re nearer. It’s cool to see how massive and exquisite they’re. We solely take one fish out of the college at a time, totally different from different fisheries. We’re figuring out the fish, throwing a spear on the fish we wish and instantly killing the fish in order that they don’t endure. It has been unbelievable to see them rebound within the fishery. The drone footage of what number of fish are on the market shall be outstanding to observe.
What did you stroll away with after filming?
For me, I believe watching Harpoon Hunters shall be an excellent likelihood to see us in motion and fantastic thing about this business, How we spend the summers chasing these fish, the wildlife, the whales, the porpoises, the market and the way we take care of a day of the lifetime of being a harpooner. I believe it will likely be very satisfying, so tune in.
Harpoon Hunters, Sequence Premiere, January 24, 9/8c, Discovery Channel