SEPTEMBER 2017 
In This Issue
AMCC protects the integrity of Alaska's marine ecosystems and promotes healthy, ocean-dependent communities.
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ISSUE NO. 43/ SEPTEMBER 2017

AMCC Engine Revved Up for the Fall While Director Search Continues

AMCC is re-opening the search process for an Executive Director after an initial first round of trying to identify our next leader.
Outgoing Executive Director, Kelly Harrell, will be departing the organization October 15 after nearly 7 years at the helm. We will be announcing the appointment of an Interim Director in the coming weeks. We had hoped to find the right person for the job before Kelly departed, but we also know that this is a unique position and filling this important role will take time and patience. Our dedicated Board is committed to a successful transition and is working with staff to ensure the organization continues to fire on all cylinders. The updated Executive Director job posting can be found here.
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While the organization is entering a period of transition with this and other roles being filled, our core team and our work remain strong. We have some exciting developments underway this fall.

*Read more at this link and below about what's on deck!

Catch of the Season is Transforming into Catch 49: Alaska's Seafood Hub!
We are more than excited to announce that our upcoming fall seafood offering which will be under the new brand name: Catch 49!  Over the past six months we have worked hard to rebrand the Catch of the Season program with a local marketing agency. Customer input and advice from people like you helped guide us and land upon the great new name and logo. Under the new brand many things will stay the same. We will be expanding our community of seafood consumers, local fishermen, chefs, and foodies with a fresh new look, an easier ordering platform, and more unique local seafood options!  Keep your eyes peeled to the AMCC website and Facebook page for our upcoming fall ordering period which will include a delicious lineup of seafood "caught by Alaskans, for Alaskans."

We also want to send big thanks to over 500 Alaskan households who helped make our fourth year of offering Bristol Bay sockeye through our community supported fishery a huge success! A big shout out to fishermen Nathan Hill and Billy Sarandria as well as the amazing crew at Kvichak Fish Co. for ensuring the fish was well cared for from the water to the fillet line to the freezer! Many thanks also to our community partners who helped make delivery of over 10,000 lbs. of salmon possible including Beaver Sports, Northern Alaskan Environmental Center, Mat-Su Experiment Farm, APU Farmer's Market, and many more! For our customers, we'd love to hear what you think of your Bristol Bay salmon and collect some of your favorite recipes and photos. Drop us a line at seafood@akmarine.org with your feedback!

AMCC Deputy Director, Shannon Carroll, Testifies at Magnuson-Stevens Act Field Hearing in Alaska 
AMCC remains actively engaged in efforts to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA, the nation's "fish bill" that governs all federal fisheries) in a manner that does not weaken the current bill and ideally makes improvements for both conservation and communities. Deputy Director, Shannon Carroll, had the privilege of testifying at the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation's hearing on the reauthorization of MSA last month alongside a diversity of other fishing industry players. The hearing, which was held in Soldotna, highlighted the importance of science-based fisheries management, robust data and accountability measures, and improved funding for research and science. You can view and watch video of Shannon's (and other's) written and oral testimony here .
 

Take Action to Support the Next Generation of Responsible Seafood Harvesters

Despite daunting challenges that have made it harder than ever for young men and women to start a career in commercial fishing - including the high cost of entry, financial risks, and limited entry-level opportunities - t here is not a single federal program dedicated to training, educating, and assisting young people starting their careers in commercial fishing. The bipartisan Young Fishermen's Development Act (H.R. 2079, S.1323), introduced in the 115th Congress by Representatives Don Young (R-AK) and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) in the House and Senators Sullivan (AK), Murkowski (AK), Markey (MA) and Cantwell (WA) in the Senate, would break down the barriers facing young fishermen, whose success is essential to the survival of America's fishing communities.

The bill, developed by AMCC and partners in the Fishing Communities Coalition, aims to create a national program dedicated to assisting, educating, and training the next generation of commercial fishermen. This program would provide competitive grants to foster collaborative state, tribal, regional, and local partnerships; promote mentorship opportunities for retiring fishermen and vessel owners; and provide support for regional training and education programs focused on accountable, sustainable fishing, and sound business practices. This innovative program would help ensure America's fishing communities continue to thrive for future generations by supporting economic opportunity, jobs, and food security while preserving a proud heritage and way of life.

Alaskans and others can help support this legislation by contacting their congress members and letting them know they support the bill.


*Check out this short video on the Young Fishermen's Development Act!

North Pacific Council Season Kicks Off October in Anchorage

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) meeting cycle begins in October with a new captain at the helm. David  Witherell, former Deputy Director, has been appointed as Executive Director as Chris Oliver is now in Washington, D.C., serving in an important new role as the Assistant Administrator for NOAA fisheries . Oliver joined the Council in 1990 as a fisheries biologist and served as Executive Director for 15 years. He leaves the Council is good hands as Witherell has worked for the Council since 1992, first as a Plan Coordinator and then as Deputy Director. Another talented Council staff, Diana Evans, has been appointed to Deputy Director. Diana will oversee administrative and supervisory direction, and tasking responsibilities. She is also the Council lead on the groundfish and halibut fishery observer program, electronic monitoring, and the development of a Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan. In October, the Council will be discussing groundfish and Bering Sea crab harvest speculations, Bering Sea halibut abundance-based management, observer coverage,charter issues, a salmon fishery management plan amendment and more.

*Please see this link for the full agenda of the upcoming North Pacific Council meeting. 

Member Q&A with Jon Zuck, AMCC's Outgoing Board of Directors Chair
Parting can be such sweet sorrow, especially when the loss is of a long-time, beloved, super-committed and energetic board member! Jon Zuck of Anchorage has served on the AMCC Board for nine years and will complete his final term at our October board meeting. Jon has served as Board Treasurer as well as Board Chair several times during his tenure in addition to helping to lead our social enterprise and nominations committees. He has gone above and beyond for AMCC volunteering numerous hours and we are extremely thankful for Jon's dedication and tremendous contributions. Read below to learn more about Jon and his long history in Alaska's fishing industry. We are so grateful to Jon for being a part of our history here at AMCC!

*Click here to read the full interview with Jon Zuck.

Events of Interest
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