Almanac on sale now!
If you haven’t purchased a copy of the Young Fishermen’s Almanac yet, get one while supplies last! They will be available to purchase in-person at AMCC events and online here.
Upcoming events – join us!
Kodiak Jig Rockfish Taco Night Wednesday, March 21, 4-6 p.m., Kodiak Island Brewery Suggested Donation: $5
Join AMCC, the Alaska Young Fishermen’s Network and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute for a taco feed! Meet new faces, see familiar ones, and enjoy beverages and locally caught rockfish tacos!
Stories Above the Bay Friday, March 23, Noon to 1:30 p.m. at Best Western Kodiak Inn Free
Entertainment, Alaska-style. We are celebrating the Young Fishermen’s Almanac! Hear personal stories and poetry and enjoy art, all from Alaska fishermen. We will be serving some delicious Kodiak jig-caught rockfish chowder made by Monk’s Rock Coffee House. If you haven’t purchased a copy yet, the Alaska Young Fishermen’s Almanac will be available for sale!
Boat. Work. Break. Wednesday, April 4, 6-10 p.m., 49th State Brewing Company
You’ve probably been working all spring. Take a night to relax and get to know your fellow Alaska fishermen, policymakers and marine advocates! Hosted by the Alaska Young Fishermen’s Network and the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association for a night of stories, poems and film honoring the next generation of fishermen. There will be signups for skippers, policymakers and crew to be members of the apprenticeship program and/or the AYFN. Food will feature 49th State Brewing Co. fish tacos made with Homer longline-caught halibut.
Hiring Local Seafood Sales Coordinator
The Alaska Marine Conservation Council is seeking a fish-loving individual to serve as our Local Seafood Sales Coordinator. This part-time position is responsible for helping to scale up AMCC’s local seafood sales programs and promoting AMCC’s branded seafood hub (Catch 49). This position works closely with an array of fishing and processing partners, chefs, restaurants/breweries, other staff members, as well as marketing contractors.
For more information, please click here.
Latest Catch49 offerings
It’s almost that time of year… spot prawn season! Pre-order your Prince William Sound spot prawns today through Catch 49. Other exciting offerings coming up will be for Kodiak rockfish, Kodiak tanner crab, Norton Sound king crab, and Homer Pacific halibut.
Advocacy trip in Washington, D.C.
AMCC, the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, and six Alaska fishermen traveled to Washington, D.C., last month to advocate for programs like the Young Fisherman’s Development Act (YFDA). Jamie O’Connor, Danielle Ringer, Christopher Johnson and Matt Alward, along with AMCC staff members Shannon Carroll and Theresa Peterson were in attendance. This federal legislation would support our next generation of fishermen by providing grants to encourage training, education, and workforce development which are absolutely essential to ensure the continued health and prosperity of our fishing families and coastal communities.
We we fortunate to meet with Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, Congressman Young, and 14 different congressional offices and staff from across the country to share our thoughts on the YFDA, as well as the need for science-based management and accountability in all sectors of the fishing industry.
While we were there, we submitted 742 signatures AMCC had collected in support of the Young Fishermen’s Development Act and our MSA platform.
Young Fishing Fellowship update
AMCC is thrilled to be partnering with six incredible host organizations across coastal Alaska for our 2018-2019 Fishing Fellows Program! Check out our current list of fellowship projects here.
We are excited to announce the newest class soon.
Update from Deputy Director Shannon Carroll
SWAMC
This past month, I was privileged to speak at the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference’s (SWAMC) Economic Summit. I was asked to participate in the panel “Supporting a $4.2 Billion Fishing Industry with Diminishing State Budgets” and focus on the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) reauthorization process. At first, I was unsure how a federal issue like MSA reauthorization related to the theme of the panel, but then realized that the topic was relevant for two reasons. First, federal fisheries in Alaska are also dealing with declining or stagnant budgets. Second, federal fisheries provide significant tax revenue and employment for local communities.
If we want to support federal fisheries, we must first look at what the MSA is doing well. Currently, MSA allows regional fishery management councils to have flexibility when it comes to how their fisheries are managed. This means they can effectively use exempted fishing permits and partner with industry to reduce bycatch, habitat impacts, and implement ecosystem-based fishery management or quota banks. The MSA also provides rigorous standards to protect the long-term sustainability of our fisheries through science-based annual catch limits. The results are clear-since 2000, nearly 40 fisheries have been rebuilt across the country!
So, what should Congress prioritize during this round of reauthorization?
1. Consider the strengths of the current law. Regional flexibility has allowed the bill to remain responsive to changes over time. Maintaining science-based provisions of the bill will ensure healthy fisheries into the future and encourage accountability.
2. Focus on issues that are national in scope and improve data collection and science-based decision-making, such as more frequent stock assessments and collection of real-time information.
3. Seek to encourage innovative and cost-effective approaches to monitoring and accountability.
Congress needs to recognize that funding fisheries science, data collection, and management is truly an investment in the economy, in the resilience of coastal communities, and in food security.
Council Update
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) will be holding its April meeting in Anchorage, April 2-10. In addition to several charter halibut issues and a review of proposals for Cook Inlet salmon fishery management plan, the NPFMC will be considering analysis related to chinook salmon bycatch limits in the Gulf of Alaska trawl fisheries and halibut abundance-based management.
With respect to abundance-based management of halibut, the NPFMC will be considering draft alternatives relative to the ongoing effort to link halibut bycatch to abundance in the Bering Sea. Despite the lengthy process this agenda item has been subject to, it remains vitally important that stakeholders stay informed of and participate in the development this policy. If you have any questions or wish to learn more, please do not hesitate to contact AMCC Deputy Director,
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