Commercial fisherman Roger Salisbury grew up in Palo Alto, and at least in his early years fishing was not on his horizon. When he was very young, Salisbury’s parents managed a glider port, and his father was a national champion distance glider.
After high school, he obtained a degree in mechanical engineering. However, while he was still in college he was also building his first commercial fishing boat. With that boat, he began his career, supporting his growing family. For seven years, Captain Salisbury fished that small boat before buying the F/V Daisy II, a 24-foot skiff.
Many years have passed since those days, and today Captain Salisbury is a respected member of the Pillar Point fishing community. He has three daughters, four sons, and four grandchildren. On occasion his daughter Amanda works as crewman for her father, earning good wages while enjoying a day at sea.
In 1991, he bought the F/V Verona, a 50-foot wooden trawler built in 1908 by V.H. Peterson – possibly the oldest working trawl vessel on the Pacific Coast. On the Verona, he harvests California halibut, sanddabs, chilipepper rockfish, and Dungeness crabs, delivering his fresh catch daily to Morningstar Fisheries. He enjoys fishing, and also using his skills to keep his aging boat in good working order.
When he’s not fishing, Captain Salisbury keeps the Verona out towards the end of “H” Dock at Pillar Point Harbor on Half Moon Bay. If it’s not there, watch for him late in the day, unloading his fresh sea products at the end of the pier.
Many thanks to Lori French, the original founder of Faces, for her previous work and continued efforts.
Funds for The Faces of California Fishing were provided by a grant from
Central California Joint Cable/Fisheries Liaison Committee.
Content copyright 2012. Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries. All rights reserved.
