Tag Archives: Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust
Charting a course toward seafood independence for Alaska’s vulnerable food systems
As a commercial fisherman based in Sitka and the executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA), I’ve spent decades navigating Alaska’s challenging waters and the headwinds facing our fishing communities. Alaska’s coastal residents are resilient, but they are up against a new magnitude of challenges. The loss of fishing access and community-based processing capacity, along with a dearth of local markets for seafood, are straining once vibrant fishing economies up and down our coastline. I recently contributed to a fisheries access report commissioned by the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust (ASFT), which highlights the outmigration of fishing access in Southeast Alaska. Communities with historically robust local fishing fleets now see few active vessels based in town. This trend is acute in communities such as Kake, which has lost its local processor — and with it, a viable market for resident fishermen. Through interviews and in-person engagement, ASFT’s report found that a common concern among fishermen was the loss of a local fish buyer. When this happens, resident fishermen often sell their permits or abandon fishing altogether. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< By Linda Behnken 12:05
Fishing group accepting applicants for crew training program
The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA), a Sitka-based fishing group, and partner organization Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust (ASFT) are seeking applicants for its crew training program. The program aims to provide young people an opportunity to gain experience in, as well as an understanding of, commercial fishing and its role in coastal communities, according to a release from the ALFA. Since 2015, more than 100 apprentices have been trained and placed on local fishing vessels in Southeast Alaska, and in late 2017 ALFA was awarded funds to get more boots on deck statewide. >click to read< 11:39
Virtual Alaska Fisherman EXPO to be held in November
The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association and the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust are hosting a Fall Fishermen’s EXPO, aimed at providing educational workshops and training to new and experienced local fishermen as well as others with interest in the fishing sector. At the November 9th EXPO, all the workshops and presentations will be offered virtually. Commercial and subsistence fishermen of all gear types will have the opportunity to attend free and interactive classes on permit and quota purchasing, gear recycling, Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project updates, PredictWind updates, marine mammal deterrents and proposed regulations, mental health and commercial fishing, harmful algae blooms and more. >click to read<, and register.13:44
