AYFN advocates for next generation harvesters

Training young fishermen is a multi-generational task

Harvesting skills are a given, but today’s commercial fishermen also need to know their way through the business side of the industry, from marketing to government regulation, education offered via the Alaska Young Fishermen’s Network.

AYFN, founded in December 2013 by the Alaska Marine Conservation Council, is focused on guiding young people who want a career in commercial fishing through the political quagmire of marketing, fisheries regulations, plus networking skills.

AYFN’s most recent effort is the Young Fishing Fellows Program, which connects young fishermen with organizations offering them opportunities for leadership and career building, says Hannah Heimbuch, AYFN coordinator and community organizer in Homer for the Alaska Marine Conservation Council.

Other projects and activities are also underway, from social mixers like the Fishmas party in Homer this past winter, co-hosted by AYFN and Salmon Sisters, an event that attracted some 200 young fish harvesters and their mentors.

While the name implies the network is for young fishermen, AYFN sees it as multi-generational, with a lot of older folks who are mentors and want to be part of sustaining the fisheries, Heimbuch said.

“We kind of define young fishermen as under 40, but those most engaged are in their mid 20s to mid 30s, people who have some years of fishing behind them, but still have a lot of room to grow into the industry,” she said. “It takes all ages to make this industry set the next generation up for success.”

Advertisement

In March 2016, AYFN led a cross-country educational fisheries tour for 11 young harvesters, taking them to the International Boston Seafood Show, to Washington D.C. to learn about the Magnuson Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, and on to New Orleans for the Slow Fish gathering.

In January of this year, the network brought several young halibut fishermen to the first-ever British Columbia Young Fishermen’s Gathering and the International Pacific Halibut Commission meeting in Victoria, B.C. One of those fishermen, Carina Nichols, of Sitka, recently was appointed to the advisory panel of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

“As much as we need young people building strong businesses on the water, we need them learning to navigate the policy area, advocating for their fisheries and communities,” said Heimbuch, herself a commercial harvester in Homer. “We want to serve as a connector between young people and their mentors, and to important resources and opportunities around the state. We are building a source for connection, information and inspiration.”

AMCC and AYFN also support a national apprenticeship and training program for the upcoming generation of commercial fishermen via the Young Fishermen’s Development Program legislation introduced in April in Congress by Rep. Seth Moulton, D-MA, and Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska.

Also in the works is the Alaska Young Fishermen’s Almanac, with stories, advice, art and more from young fishermen, funded by a grant from the Alaska Humanities Forum, and slated for publication in November.

More information about AYFN is online at www.akyoungfishermen.org

Advertisement