Crests and Throughs: the Life of a Coastal FIsherman


The Baltic herring fishing season lasts only one month for coastal fishermen. As authorized catches are to be used collectively by fishermen, each missed hour of fishing is translated into a decrease in income. The fishermen themselves compare the situation to an Olympic running race: once the race is on, there is no mercy until the finish line is crossed. This means that the working day lasts for almost 24 hours. And when the phone finally rings with the news that the quota is exhausted and fishing is to be stopped, the fishermen don’t really know whether to laugh or cry.


Riho Västrik


Riho Västrik is born in August 4th, 1965. He has graduated Tartu University in history and journalism and made MA on Film Arts in Baltic Film and Media School.
His big interest in mountaineering was the first reason to consider making a documentaries, beauty of mountains and human sufferings yearned of recording.
Since 2003 Riho has become attracted to the Siberia and Far North. He has directed and produced films about Taimyr Peninsula, Sami reindeer herders and musk oxen.