There are two sides to every story. Everybody knows that old saying.
In actuality, there are often more sides than just two. For example, the pandemic has brought out the best in some people, while at the same time spreading unimaginable suffering to others. Challenging environments often bring out innovators who create new ways to deal with the problems in many ways. Much of it depends on where one stands, how one looks and what one wants to see.
Jeff Silva is one such individual, on a number of levels. At present, the Milolii resident is getting a lot of exposure because he is a primary character in a new television series. One would think that would be enough, but while the new show airs, he stays busy donating fish to feed those in need, right here in Kona. His show a spinoff by the crew from “The Deadliest Catch,” called “Bloodline.” Both series air on Discovery.
“Deadliest Catch” has been running since 2005, an eternity in TV land. It is arguably one of the most successful “reality” TV series out there. When a TV crew with a track record and audience of that scale introduces a new show, it is bound to be watched heavily — at first. However, it still has to stand up on its own. “Bloodline” was Discovery’s highest rated freshman series launch — and — the highest rated launch out of the “Deadliest Catch” stable in seven years. And it is still holding its own.
“Bloodline” profiles the small boat commercial fishermen of Kona. Maunakea and Mauna Loa act as road blocks to the northeast trade winds, resulting in glassy calm ocean conditions along the leeward Kona Coast. For countless generations fishermen have put to sea in tiny boats, from canoes to modern fiberglass rigs, safely accessing the deep Pacific waters. Here, they catch giant pelagic fish. What they do is unique to the world, and the sight of a 16-foot skiff going out with giant 130-pound rods and reels is startling to outsiders. What is even more startling is the sight of them returning with monstrous ahi or even larger marlin. This small boat fishery is unique to Hawaii.
“The Deadliest Catch” captains Casey McManus and Josh Harris became friends with Jeff while fishing, but not catching, in Kona. Jeff gave them a hand. The famous skippers returned to the mainland with tales of friendship, respect and big fish from small boats, which got Discovery producers thinking. The idea of filming a trailer was floated. Aware of local sensitivities, Silva was protective at first, and remains so today.
According to Jeff, Discovery was pretty gun shy too, but when they sent footage back to L.A. the visual images of these guys catching big ocean fish in tiny boats is what “hooked” them. Discovery wanted to move forward with this series, but Jeff continued to be protective, and development talks drug on for some two years.
The local skiff fishermen can be a clannish lot, with some individuals raised in fishing families for many generations. Jeff said that is where the show title comes from. Legacy fishermen have it in their bloodline. McManus, Casey and Silva all have it in their bloodline, and understood why a Hollywood film crew and celebrity fishermen coming in from the outside could cause suspicion. Some worried that this show would expose ancient fishing techniques and other “secrets” to the masses.
What if a flood of new people descended upon the Kona coast and screwed everything up for local people? Jeff made these concerns known to the Discovery crew. What is really remarkable is that they listened to him, respected their concerns, and have actually honored them, though some didn’t make a lot of sense.
“Some thought I was going to show secrets. If I wouldn’t show anyone here something, why would I show the whole world?” Jeff said, “It’s like this: everyone wants a good meal but not many hungry people want to open a restaurant. Yes, people do see the show and want to come fishing, but they aren’t buying houses and boats and moving in on us. They’d fail anyway. This could actually end up being good for the Kona charter boats. I flip those guys all the inquiries. I don’t want to take anyone fishing.”
Silva convinced producers to show the guys fighting fish, but not the actual killing of the fish at boat side. He has also been able to get them to respect that this is not a “how to” show focused on gear rigging. They don’t show that and they certainly don’t reveal any specific fishing areas. What he wanted to concentrate on are the challenges that the small boat fishermen face in just catching the fish — how much work it is and how they can often get skunked.
Silva had other goals going in, “I also wanted the world to know that this type of fishing is truly sustainable. Kona’s small boats do not kill thousands of pounds of juvenile tuna, nor do they catch millions of pieces of unwanted species (called “by catch”), and we don’t tangle or hook endangered species like whales and turtles.”
“The massive amount of exposure is good for everyone, which is primarily why I agreed to be a part. Sure, I can see why guys were nervous at first, and some still are, but I think there is far more positive at play here than negative.”
All the fish caught from these small boats is consumed on island. Jeff gives each piece of fish his own personal attention. Exposing millions of viewers to this quality product is a bonus for all who sell fish caught this way.
In a departure from the typical reality show “formula” Silva wanted to create respect of these fishermen and stay away from the dramatization and conflict that is typical of this genre. With unemployment at a record high in Hawaii, there is plenty of that to go around anyway. Trailers are parked up and down the road to the ramp. Guys who rarely fish are out regularly, many are selling fish by the roadside and prices are depressed.
True to form, Jeff sees this a time to help, not compete. He’s been working with Kona Brew to turn fish into soup, which is then distributed by local churches to elderly and others struggling to make ends meet. He’s also traded fish loins for grocery store gift cards. Many of the cards wind up in the hands of grateful single moms through a network his wife Chao is involved with. Silva said they have been helping to feed between 1,000 and 1,300 families per week.
Jeff is a guy who embodies the optimist in “where you stand, how you look and what you want to see.” He chooses to see pictures that are big and positive, ignoring what others may see as constraints in the challenging times of today.
Watch “Deadliest Catch: Bloodline” on Discovery, and see for yourself.
