Applications are being accepted through March 31 for crew training in Sitka by the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA) and partner Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust.
The program, formalized as part of ALFA’s Young Fishermen Initiative in 2015, provides guided entry-level experience for young people on commercial fishing and its importance to supporting small boat fisheries in coastal communities.
Linda Behnken, executive director of ALFA, said that with support from numerous funders ALFA has been able to expand the program to include more boats, crew and communities.
“Our goal is to provide young people with a safe introduction to Alaska’s fisheries and to share the curriculum we have developed through our program with fishing groups in other parts of the state and country,” she said. “Already, we have shared the Crew Training Program curriculum with several organizations throughout Alaska and coastal partners throughout the U.S.”
Since 2017, more than 145 apprentices have been trained and placed on local fishing vessels in Southeast Alaska. Crew training aims to attract younger entrants into an industry where the average fisherman’s age in Alaska is over 50.
Since the program began, ALFA member Eric Jordan of the F/V I Gotta, a skipper participant, has trained more than 60 young people the basics of being competent crew, while demonstrating sustainable fishing practices to encourage a strong conservative ethic.
Applicants must be 18 years or older to qualify for this free training. Contact Natalie at 907-738-1286 or via email at [email protected] for information. Or go online to https://www.alfafish.org/crewtraining.
