Captain's Dinner

Whether in the shimmering sunshine of the Adriatic Coast or up against a two-and-a-half-meter swell in Brittany, ranging from fjords in the North Atlantic across Baltic ice floes, to Mediterranean lagoons, to the shores of the Black Sea: Captain's Dinner is a maritime journey of discovery through the world of fishing. What does it mean to be dependent on the vagaries of nature on a daily basis? What is it like to haul in fishing nets in rain and gale-force 8 wind? How do freshly caught breams, herring, etc. actually end up on deck by lunch break and on the plate by night? In search of answers, photographer Paul Pfluger braved the wind and weather to accompany 27 fishermen at work on European seas, observing their daily routine over several months. The result is a lively, intimate, and unadulterated logbook of fishing and life at sea, combining captivating portraits of the protagonists alongside their own commentaries on the delicate craft and hard labor that make up a fisherman's existence today, not least when faced with critically-diminished fish stocks and attendant fishing quotas. The featured fishermen also share their own favorite, previously-unpublished seafood dishes, from grilled herbed herring to Irish surf & turf or fried mullet. With more than 50 of these delicious, simple seafood recipes, Captain's Dinner is a must for all those who love and care about the sea and its unique flavors.