The Application period is open for the Young Fishing Fellows program 2021-2022! For more information, please visit the Young Fishing Fellows FAQ page. Read more about this year’s hosts below, and fill out your application here. Applications are open until May 24, 2021.

In addition to their work with their host organization Fishing Fellows serve as steering committee members for the Alaska Fishermen’s Network. This work will include coordinating with AKFN on 1-2 communications pieces and planning the direction of the Network at 1-2 strategic planning gatherings and/or calls.

Applicants must be:

Alaska residents that participate in Alaska commercial and/or subsistence fisheries.
Active crew members, skippers, and/or permit/quota holders.
All active fishermen under the age of 40 are welcome to apply but priority will be given to fishermen with at least 3 years of fishing experience and demonstrated leadership and commitment to their community and industry.
Applicants must be able to commit to the full duration of the fellowship.

Please contact Alasha Brito at alasha@akmarine.org with any questions.

Host Organizations

Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association/ Sitka, AK, or Remote

ALFA is an alliance of small boat commercial fishermen committed to sustainable fisheries and thriving coastal communities. Under the leadership of the ALFA team, the work of the Fisheries Fellow will focus on engaging Alaskans in advocating for sustainable fisheries and community-based fishermen with a focus on the Alaskan’s Own Program, the Seafood Donation Program, and the SeaBank Program.

The Fishing Fellow will work on engaging Alaska’s fishermen and the seafood-loving public in advocating for fish habitat and the coastal fishermen committed to sustainable fisheries.

Native Conservancy/ Cordova, AK

The mission of Native Conservancy is to create resilient futures for Indigenous peoples by preserving, repatriating, and restoring ancestral homelands, traditional food sources, and subsistence practices to revitalize Native culture, habitat, health, and spirituality.

The Native Elders Subsistence Foods Sharing Program began in 2020 to meet the direct needs of Native Elders in Cordova. In the winter of 2020-2021, an estimated 300 pounds of traditional seafoods (halibut, cod, and rockfish) were delivered to more than 100 Native Elders.

To increase that impact the Fishing Fellow will assist the lead Eyak Fisherman, and hone their skills of how to fish, process, and distribute Traditional foods in Cordova, AK.

Alaska Fish Radio/Fish Factor/ Remote

Alaska Fish Radio’s goal is to be the “go-to” site for timely news for Alaska’s seafood industry: fish catches, market trends, management changes, politics, research, the obscure- anything that impacts our fisheries, fishermen, processors, and oceans.

The Fishing Fellow will be trained in gathering news/voices and writing/producing “short form” radio broadcasts focusing on the Alaska seafood industry; writing the same for print outlets.

This is a specialized Fishing Fellow position that requires excellent writing/speaking skills and the ability to work on deadlines. Radio experience is preferred.

Cordova District Fishermen United/ Cordova, AK or Remote

CDFU's mission is to preserve, promote, and perpetuate the commercial fishing industry in Area E and to further promote safety at sea, legislation, conservation, management, and general welfare for the mutual benefit of all their members.

The Fishing Fellow would assist with fish donation drives that bring local fish into schools and to community elders. They will learn about fleet outreach, Board of Fisheries information and process, and political advocacy in fisheries and have network opportunities with other fishery leaders from around the state.

Copper River / Prince William Sound Marketing Association/ Cordova, AK

Copper River / Prince William Sound Marketing Association is a regional seafood development association. Their mission is to create value for the fishermen that harvest Copper River and Prince William Sound Salmon.

Their #FishingForAlaska public outreach campaign’s mission is to "Increase Alaska resident, government and industry leadership education and awareness of the value of the Alaska fishing industry to the economy and culture of Alaska." and "Improve the image of the commercial fishing industry in Alaska."

The Fishing fellow will work on the #FishingFor Alaska campaign.

Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve/ Homer, AK

The mission of the Reserve is to enhance understanding and appreciation of the Kachemak Bay estuary and adjacent waters to ensure that these ecosystems remain healthy and productive.

Depending on the Fishing Fellow’s time and interest they would be assisting with nearshore productivity studies and fisherman field trips.