ACA Board member Theresa Weiser has launched a raffle for several fishing/lodging packages at her family's lodge in Sitka, AK - Wild Strawberry Lodge DBA Alaska Premier Charters, Inc. In the first month, she raised $10,000 through raffle ticket sales from her own customer base mailing list! While membership dues provide a substantial contribution to ACA's annual budget, we're hoping the use of our new state gaming permit will allow us to do even more in the future to provide representation for our industry at all the important decision-making meetings that affect our recreational fisheries. For example, it typically costs about $1500 to send one rep to a week-long North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting, depending on the location. Because of family and business obligations, Theresa says she is unable to attend the meetings herself, and she wanted to contribute funds through a raffle to support the people who can. The Alaska Charter Association is grateful for this support and thanks Theresa Weiser for her tremendous efforts! To buy a raffle ticket visit the ACA blog and view the details here.

The University of Washington holds an annual seminar with fishery managers, elected officials, key stakeholders and fishermen to discuss fishery management topics, including the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) - the federal "constitution" that sets the framework for fishing regulations in the U.S.

We've collected a selection of short videos of some of the presentations at the 2014 "Bevan Series" of talks and panel discussions, with some very knowledgable speakers and decision makers who give an inside-baseball look at fish politics. 

Many members of our industry lack sufficient knowledge about how fishing regulations are decided, and this limits the effectiveness of public participation in the process. 

With the MSA scheduled for Congressional review, revision and update legislation, it is a great time to familiarize ourselves with the key issues (and problems) with federal fisheries law. Alaska's congressional delegation always takes a keen interest in the MSA discussions, and the changes being considered can make a huge difference to recreational fishing in the U.S. and will affect regulations of all federally-managed species of fish.

Visit the ACA Blog for a quick view of some short videos.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is seeking nominations for seats to be filled on the Charter Halibut Committee to include a 3A representative from a community that is not on the road system, and a 2C representative from one of the smaller communities to complement representation from Juneau and Sitka. Nominations are open until March 31. Representatives will be named at the April Council meeting. Please send a letter of interest to steve.maclean@noaa.gov.