An Economic Problem
The fishermen on Deadliest Catch have it easy, but others in the fishing industry do not. The Discovery Channel funds fishing expeditions for a few ships, leaving the competition in a bind. According to Alaskan Dispatch News, local officials are not pleased with how Deadliest Catch affects local fishermen.
The financing involved in Deadliest Catch makes it difficult for other ships to continue to operate. It means fishermen are forced to work for minimum wage, yet crabbing is just too risky for such low pay. The remainder of the northern crabbing fleet is floundering, and Alaskan fishermen want Deadliest Catch to be gone.