Tim Hussin (University of Florida)
Better Than Sex
Award of Excellence
Domestic Picture Story
The livelihood of fishermen of the northwest United States has been jeopardized by economic and environmental hardships. The government has imposed regulations due to declining fish populations from climate fluctuations and decades of overfishing, driving many fishermen to move operations to Alaska. The crew of the Mya Nicole of San Francisco, however, has survived due to their undying love for fishing.
Story: Better Than Sex
Her Color
Ronnie Anderson, 45, gazes at the receding San Francisco skyline at sunset on a night fish for anchovies. The captain of the boat, Sean Hodges, 33, said he'd rather die than stop fishing. "It's like therapy," he said. "It's better than sex."
Story: Better Than Sex
Her Leftovers
David Usic, reaches to pull fish parts out of the net as a seagull pecks at the remains.
Story: Better Than Sex
Her Mystery
Fred Loftus, 51, walks into a fish holding well to clean it after unloading the bounty of a three-day fishing expedition on the Point Loma. Due to tighter governmental regulations the boat rarely runs at full capacity.
Story: Better Than Sex
Her Waves
Ronnie Anderson, 45, left, and Erik Sandquist, 21, right, guide a net into the bait well to empty the Mya Nicole of anchovies at Richmond Inner Harbor, California. Sandquist said he tried making it through high school but ended up skipping for weeks at a time for fishing trips. He started fishing on commercial boats at 14 and thinks of fishing as an addiction. "That's what this is the worst heroin addiction ever," he said.
Story: Better Than Sex
Her Burn
David Usic, 42, smokes a joint in the kitchen of the Point Loma after returning to Pier 45 from a three-day trip. Usic said he smokes every time he returns from a fishing trip. "This is my ritual," he said.
Story: Better Than Sex
Her Wings
Fred Loftus, 51, takes off his shirt revealing a pirate tattoo as a seagull takes flight. Whenever Loftus gets a paycheck, he said he comes into town to add to the tattoo.
Story: Better Than Sex
She Heaves
Ronnie Anderson, 45, heaves a net's poles to unload sardines.
Story: Better Than Sex
Her Curves
Alex Toponce, 29, known by his crew mates as Giant, drinks Coors Light as he waits for his chicken wings at Hooter's at Fisherman's Wharf after a nine-hour day trip to catch anchovies. Toponce had two hours of free time before going out again for a night fish, which lasted until 1 a.m.