Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust
Educate Activate Inspire
We Strengthen Fishing Communities and Marine Resources Through Research, Education, and Economic Opportunity
We aim to educate, activate, and inspire consumers, while engaging community-based fishermen in programs that promote healthy fisheries. By combining ecology, economics, and the common good, we work to ensure resilient communities and robust resources throughout coastal Alaska.
Southeast Alaska is home to some of the Earth's healthiest and most robust wild fisheries. An aging fleet, increasing cost of entry to limited access fisheries, and more and more out of state vessel owners threaten local traditions of marine stewardship. Coastal fishing communities face uncertain futures. We aim to protect these communities and the fisheries that sustain them.
Initiatives:
Seafood Distribution Network
Since March 2020, Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust (ASFT) and Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association (ALFA) have provided over 650,000 meals of seafood, free of charge, to thousands of individuals/families, including children’s programs, food pantries, women’s shelters, tribal organizations, and much more.
Read more about the Seafood Distribution Network.
SeaBank
SeaBank is a multi-disciplinary approach to identify, assess, and communicate the value of the Southeast Alaska ecosystem, and to empower residents, visitors, and policy makers to make sound long-term decisions that promote stewardship and sustainable economics.
Learn more about SeaBank.
Local Fish Fund
The Local Fish Fund, an ongoing project of the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust, helps overcome barriers to entry by providing the cash and administering the loans that young fisherman need to acquire initial ownership of access rights.
Read more about the Local Fish Fund.
Sitka Community Boatyard
To grow Sitka’s economy, public infrastructure that generates high-value economic activity every day of the year is needed. The Sitka Community Boatyard will accomplish this by serving local and out-of-town vessels of all sizes, year-round.
Read more about the Sitka Community Boatyard.
Young Fisherman’s Initiative
With ALFA's partnership, ASFT is committed to helping the next generation of fishermen and ensuring residents of Alaska’s coastal communities have access to our fisheries. Through a number of programs, we are helping the next generation of commercial fishermen launch and support viable commercial fishing businesses.
Read more about the Young Fisherman’s Initiative.
Our Team at Work
ASFT’s Linda Behnken Wins Prestigious Heinz Award for the Environment
We are so excited to announce that one of ASFT’s Board of Directors, Linda Behnken, received the 25th Heinz Award for the Environment due to her advocacy work to promote sustainable fishing practices while supporting the rural fishing communities of Alaska that rely on the ocean for their livelihood and way of life.
We are so proud of Linda's work and continued commitment to the fisheries, communities, and culture of Southeast Alaska. Thank you, Linda!
You can read the full article here.