The Alaska Fishermen’s Network was born in late 2013 with 12 young fishermen gathered at Alaska Marine Conservation Council’s office to discuss their work, ways of life and the way forward in an industry marked by rising costs, complex regulations, climate change and the whims of a global marketplace. Since then, AKFN has worked to provide opportunities, resources and connections to help prepare the next generation. Trips to D.C. to meet with legislators, boat cooking classes, storytelling workshops, crew speed hiring events and social gatherings around policy meetings are just some of what we do.
While we can’t recognize everyone who has helped to ensure our work is practical, relevant, creative and diverse, we can give you a glimpse of some of the folks on the ground who give strength to our efforts as founding members, volunteers, partners, mentors, organizers, writers and representatives.
Hannah Heimbuch, Homer, Cook Inlet drift
Marissa Wilson, Homer, GOA/BSAI longline
Abby Turner-Franke, Soldotna, Lower Cook Inlet and Kodiak seine
Claire Neaton, Homer, Prince William Sound seine, BSAI longline
Emma Teal Laukitis, Homer, Prince William Sound seine, BSAI longline
Reba Temple, Homer, Bristol Bay drift
Brooke Wright, Rampart, Yukon River subsistence
Jamie O’Connor, Homer, Bristol Bay setnet
Michael Shangin, Port Heiden, Bristol Bay drift, Chignik seine, GOA pot cod, longline
Carina Nichols, Sitka, Southeast longline
Matt Alward, Homer, Kodiak seine and halibut longline
Chris Johnson, Kodiak, Kodiak seine and jig
Danielle Ringer, Kodiak, Kodiak seine and jig
Erica Madison, Anchorage, Bristol Bay setnet
Haley Hoover, Cordova, Prince William Sound drift
Georgie Heaverly, Soldotna, Cook Inlet drift
Ryan Peterson, Anchorage, Susitna River setnet
Summers Cole, Juneau, Southeast drift
Darren Platt, Kodiak, Kodiak seine
Mili Lundgren, Homer, Bristol Bay setnet
Ann Robertson, Juneau, Southeast drift
Get Involved
If you would like to be more involved in AKFN, please join by filling out the form below. You can also join the Alaska Young Fishermen’s Network Facebook Group.
