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Issue 2, 3rd Quarter 2011 |
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Message from Executive Director
Dear Members and Friends of the Foundation,
 This our second issue of Lodestar II, and coming at a time when there's a great amount of activity in the industry. The 2011 salmon season is wrapping up with those beautiful coho salmon starting to come to the nets and fishwheels, while our groundfish fisheries are in the midst of "B" season.
The removal of two ADF&G biologists from the Beluga Recovery Team last month should certainly be of interest to industry members; when science doesn't prevail, we all lose including the resource.
We hope you find something of interest in our newsletter and we'd like you to consider becoming a member of the oldest non-profit organization in Alaska working in support of the commercial fishing industry. See "Join AFDF" (right blue tab) for information on becoming a Member of AFDF.
Yours Truly,
James Browning |
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AFDF "Sustainability" News
There's been a lot of work done since our last news letter on the Sustainability front. As client for the Marine Stewardship Council's certification of sustainability for both Pacific cod and Alaska salmon, there are many tasks associated with keeping these two certifications maintained and current, so that Alaska's fishing industry can show consumers that Alaska's fisheries are some of the best managed fisheries in the world, and that products from these fisheries are worth paying a little extra for.
First, a quick recap of AFDF's involvement in the MSC salmon certification; AFDF took over the clientship for the salmon fishery from Alaska Department of Fish and Game on February 19th, 2010 at the request of industry. At that time, none of the MSC program requirements had been carried out since August of 2008, after ADF&G had completed the 1st Annual Surveillance Audit. Since these required activities had not taken place, AFDF had to "hit the ground running" since the 2nd Annual Surveillance Audit was at least 6 months overdue.
Working with the certifier, Moody Marine, AFDF has paid for and conducted the 2nd, 3rd and 4th site visits, the 2nd and 3rd Audit reports are completed and posted, while the 4th is in progress. The salmon certification is back on schedule relative to MSC requirements.
Thanks to AFDF's fisheries liaison, Dave Gaudet, for representing AFDF's interests for this site visit, due to the fact that I was covering the Pacific cod site visit in Seattle at the same time. Collection for the 3rd Annual audit is just finishing up, and we'll start collection for the 4th audit this fall.
The 1st Annual Surveillance Audit for Pacific cod was conducted in Seattle on May 8th and 9th at the National Marine Fisheries Service' Alaska Fisheries Science Center. The certifier, also Moody Marine, and the assessment team comprised of Dr. Jake Rice, DFO - Atlantic Canada, Dr. Don Bowen, DFO - Atlantic Canada, and Dr. Susan Hanna, OSU faculty, attended two days of excellent presentations by AFSC staff. Although this certification has far less conditions than the salmon certification, close communication with the various gear types and sectors seems to be more difficult, so that certain relatively simple conditions are taking more attention than they should to get closed out. We need information from the different gear types on location and amount of lost gear, in order to meet one of the remaining conditions. The P cod 1st Annual Audit report should be completed and posted in the next month or so.
There is discussion and some interest in having the Alaska herring fisheries enter full assessment for MSC certification; it is felt that this would shine a positive light on the herring resource in Alaska, which may focus more interest in herring as a food resource rather than simply a source of sac roe. Togiak herring are about the size of a small pink salmon, so there is a tremendous biomass of fish protein available in our productive herring fisheries.
Finally, AFDF is pleased to advise industry members of the existence of a group called the Association of Sustainable Fisheries or ASF. This group is global in its membership and represents all the fisheries either certified within the Marine Stewardship Council's program, or seeking certification by undergoing full assessment under the MSC principles.
The group was formed to discuss MSC policy issues that affect the client fisheries and their participants, and will serve as an industry advisory group making sure that client fisheries' input is considered at the policy making levels within MSC. The group represents the majority of certified fisheries in the MSC program, meets several times per year and is currently seeking to put a member on the Technical Advisory Board (TAB) of the MSC. AFDF, as client for the Alaskan P cod and salmon fisheries serves on the Executive Committee of the ASF. Website under contruction.
- James Browning
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ASMI/FAO "GLobal Trust" Sustainability Certification Moving Forward
With Salmon and Halibut assessments completed and being well received by retail, foodservice and industry partners, the ASMI sponsored responsible fisheries management certification program is proving to be a valuable and cost effective alternative for Alaska seafood trade partners. Up next is an assessment of the black cod fishery this summer to be followed by crab in late 2011, pollock in 2012 with cod and other groundfish after that.
The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is moving forward with the program at the request of our trade partners and industry members to provide them with an independent verification of Alaska responsible fisheries that helps them demonstrate responsible sourcing and achieve corporate social responsibility goals without logo licensing fees while not impacting existing eco-label programs. Upon completion, all major Alaska fisheries will be credibly and independently verified as responsibly managed according to the most widely recognized fisheries management principles and criteria of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries Management and Ecolabelling Guidelines. For more information visit http://sustainability.alaskaseafood.org/ |
Green Piece
Back in August of 2010, when AFDF released the Request for Proposals for the remaining grant funds for salmon-related projects; we got a call from Terry Johnson from the UAF Marine Advisory program. As a vessel owner and someone interested in increasing vessel efficiency and fuel savings, he was asking about how a proposal for vessel energy audits would be evaluated.
Although we made inquiries with other industry folks and there was general interest in a program that would produce a vessel energy audit template for vessels in various size categories, we could not get a proposal written and submitted in the short time span available. But Terry kept researching and talking with other interested parties, and before you know it a small group was holding meetings/teleconferences to pursue this topic of how useful energy audit templates for different size vessels would be, and how they would help with baseline information on vessel fuel/energy consumption in various fisheries around the state.
As fuel costs rise, it is increasingly important for vessel owners to become more aware of efficiencies that can be improved to help with profit margin by lowering operational costs. So as we approach the fall, this group is scheduled to put on a "session" at Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle in November on this topic. Along with Terry Johnson as the group leader, other members of the "energy" group are, Dan Falvey - Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association, Mark Vinsel - United Fishermen of Alaska, Kerry Harrell - Alaska Marine Conservation Council, Ian Fisk and Jim Browning - AFDF.
We are putting together material for the Pac Expo session, so if you are interested in participating in the discussion or have suggested material, or would like to be a presenter at our session give us a call at 907-276-7315. |
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Symphony of Seafood 2012: Call for Sponsors
 AFDF put on the first Alaska Symphony of Seafood in 1994, and for 18 consecutive years has continued the event, introducing new and innovative seafood products from companies large and small.
Businesses ranging in size from 1 owner to the largest seafood company in America have entered their new seafood products, which are judged by a panel of culinary and food service experts and voted on by the public. The winning companies are provided booth space at the International Boston Seafood Show as an opportunity to promote their new products, and at the same time are entered into the New Products Contest at that show, the largest in America.
Initially, AFDF put on this event "in house" or with discretionary funding and industry sponsorships, and it was a local event in Anchorage. Later, grant funding was used to take the Symphony on the road, to Chicago, Las Vegas and more recently, Seattle with the Gala Soiree, celebrating the winning products, always returning to Anchorage.
This year (February 2012), with no grant funding available, AFDF will put on the 19th Annual Alaska Symphony of Seafood with only industry support. We are putting the word out to sponsors early, asking them to increase their sponsorship level to compensate for the absence of grant funding. We would not have been able to put on this popular event all these years without these sponsors' support, and we look forward to continuing what has become a tradition of featuring new seafood products from Alaska's rich and sustainable resources.
Pledge your support by contacting Ron Davis, AFDF Development Director, today! (rdavis@afdf.org or 907-276-7315). |
2010 RFP Cycle Grant Projects Completed with Long-Lasting Benefits to Alaska Communities  At the end of first quarter of 2011 AFDF has successfully completed all four projects from 2010 RFP cycle for AKSSF/NOAA funds administered by AFDF. Here are what our grantees are saying about project outcomes and benefits to their communities:
1) City & Borough of Juneau, Grant for
Direct Marketing Facility Planning Study
"The AFDF grant helped Juneau begin planning for a direct market seafood sales facility to serve local fishermen sell their catch to the local market. In a survey as part of the study we found that there are a significant number of fishermen that would sell direct if a facility were available. We are moving forward on the recommendations outlined in the study and have subsequently applied for a grant from the Department of Agriculture to begin development of a direct market site in Juneau."
Gary Gillette, Port Engineer/Architect
For more information, please, see grant final report: http://www.juneau.org/harbors/documents/SeafoodDirectMarketStudy-Finalreport03-31-2011Rev2.pdf
2) Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, Grant for Kodiak Sustainable Salmon/Renewable Power Campaign
"We have been sending out numerous email blasts and a number of postcards designed as a part of the AFDF grant to wholesalers. Our website has been up and running since mid-March and we feel the traffic has been positive. We contacted a number of the local processors back in April and the response was very positive. I believe it may have been a little late for them to use the materials as part of their marketing campaigns this year, although we do have a couple of the smaller facilities using it to some degree. We plan to use the materials for the next couple years in our efforts to market local salmon as a sustainable resource that is processed with renewable energy."
Trevor Brown, Executive Director
3) Aleutia, LLC, Grant for Setnet Salmon Quality Enhancement & Chill Monitoring
"This summer, with generous financial assistance from the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, Aleutia initiated a new temperature monitoring and tote system for use by Aleutia sockeye salmon harvesters. The hope was that by distributing totes and accompanying temperature monitors, Aleutia's project manager/quality inspector could closely monitor the chill temperature of the catch and provide feedback to harvesters if necessary. These are important steps to increasing quality. The totes and temperature monitors were distributed in early June and monitoring has been ongoing. Although all data gathering will not be complete until season end, program managers have noticed an apparent improvement in quality on the production line."
Karen Montoya, Director
4) Alaska Commercial Salmon Fishing Industry Education and Awareness Campaign submitted by Copper River/Prince William Sound Marketing Association
"The goal of the Salmon for Alaska public outreach and education campaign was to raise awareness of the economic, cultural and community benefits of Alaska's commercial salmon fishery. Through print, online and direct mail, we reached out to Alaska residents and communities to celebrate wild Alaska salmon, a resource we all share and benefit from. Most recently, several community outreach programs have showcased Salmon for Alaska, including Palmer's Colony Days, the Prince William Sound Science Center's Delta Sound Connections publication and Cordova's Wild Salmon Festival. We received some great feedback and comments from folks across the state, including a thank you letter from Governor Parnell."
Beth Poole, Director |
AFDF Member Spotlight 
Jan Jacobs,
Director of Government Affairs
Vital Statistics:
Age: 60
Place of Birth: Van Nuys, California
Family Status: Married 39 years, 2 sons, 3 grandchildren
Degree: BS in Oceanography - Humboldt State University (California)
Employer:American Seafoods since 1989
Occupation: Director of Government Affairs
AFDF Member: 14 years
Jan Jacobs has been an active participant in the seafood industry for more than 20 years. Lodestar caught up with Jan recently in his Seattle office to chat a bit about some issues of interest.
Q: How did you get into the Seafood Industry?
A: Years ago I decided that I wanted a career that I would find exciting and interesting so I went back to school to get a degree in Oceanography. After graduating, and with limited fishery-related opportunities in California, I started my career in fisheries as a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) federal fisheries observer, working on foreign catcher-processors.
Q: And where was this?
A: These boats fished primarily in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and off the coasts of Washington and Oregon. After working as an observer for a year, and now with a family to support, I found out that jobs in the "joint venture" fisheries were much better paying so for the next 4 years I worked as a joint venture representative or JV rep, primarily on Korean and Polish catcher-processors, 6-8 months a year at sea. In 1988, Profish was looking for someone to manage a couple of their catcher boats, a position that was based in their Seattle office, which allowed me to spend more time with my family. So we all packed up and moved to the Seattle area and have been here ever since.
Q: At American Seafoods, how did you get to be a Director of Government Affairs?
A: After working as a vessel manager for American Seafoods from 1989 to 1995, I transitioned into tracking regulatory issues, in response to a variety of escalating problems related to allocations, permits and "fish politics" that required more dedicated focus within our company.
Q: Fish Politics? That's a great term. What does it all include?
A: Well, it seems that just about anything going on in the fishing industry is "political", but fish allocations were probably the most contentious and complicated. Other issues included bycatch, discards, gear, time and area restrictions, CDQ partnerships, observer coverage, and fishery policy. Most of these issues are dealt with by the quasi-federal regional fishery management councils and by NMFS.
Q: What's the biggest challenge for catcher processors in today's market?
A: I'd say that many of the most serious issues affecting the groundfish fisheries off the coast of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest have been addressed, issues such as overcapitalization, the intense and wasteful Olympic-style, race for fish quota allocation system, bycatch, and discards. I think it's accurate to say that most people now realize that the fishery management system for the federal fisheries that we participate in are recognized as among the most responsible of any fishery in the world.
One of the major challenges the industry needs to focus on is the market for whitefish products. In this global economy, whitefish seafood products made from fish harvested from wild stocks, like Alaska pollock, Pacific cod and hake compete with farmed fish and other wild stocks, as well as other sources of protein. What we have to offer the consumer is cost-effective, high quality protein that comes from responsibly managed fisheries with a demonstrated track record of being sustainable over the long term.
Q: What else?
A: Bycatch is and will always be something our industry needs to pay attention to, even though, for example fisheries like Alaska pollock and Pacific hake have some of the lowest bycatch rates of any fishery in the world. And I'm confident that industry will continue to support research into effective ways to minimize bycatch, but there are hidden costs to avoiding non-targeted species that need to be evaluated when considering new management measures: unintended consequences such as impacts on other species of fish or habitat, increased fuel costs, and impacts on product quality.
Q: Why is it important for you and American Seafoods to support the efforts of AFDF?
A: We have maintained our membership with AFDF, and I have been on their Board of Directors, since 1997 because we have seen repeatedly that AFDF's efforts have provided significant benefits to the seafood and fishing industry as a whole, and they deserve our support so they can continue these efforts into the future. Many fishermen and seafood companies have been longtime supporters of AFDF as well but with the decline in recent years of federal funding to support non-profit organizations such as these, to be successful and continue to address the needs of industry we need everyone in the seafood industry to do what they can to support AFDF. This industry has benefited in numerous ways thanks to AFDF.
Q: Such as?
A: Well, there are too many projects to mention here but they are listed on the AFDF website. A few worth mentioning:
- the research efforts that resulted in the ability to produce surimi from fish such as Alaska pollock, which has resulted in significant economic benefits for most everyone involved in these fisheries;
- contracting with the Alaska salmon and cod industry to successfully pursue MSC certification of these fisheries as sustainable and responsibly managed. No small undertaking by the way;
- the Symphony of Seafoods, a great annual event that showcases new seafood products made from Alaska fish.
So we have all benefitted in one way or another from the efforts of AFDF, we just might not all be aware of it.
We agree, Jan. If you interested in being a member of AFDF, please visit www.afdf.org for more information.
Interviewed by Ron Davis, AFDF Development Director
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Ian Fisk, President
F/V Morgan Anne
Catcher-Processor Region I
Richard Mullins, Vice President
Scientific Fishery Systems
Mark Scheer,
Secretary/Treasurer
Young & deNormandie, P.C.
John van Amerongen
Trident Seafoods Corporation
Brandon Basso
Alaska Pacific Seafoods
Alvin Burch
Alaska Whitefish Trawlers Association
Charter Member since 1978
Mark Chandler
F/V Topaz
Bart Cox
Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Inc.
Julie Decker
Harvester Region I
Jan Jacobs
American Seafoods Company
Ken Simpson
F/V Lady Simpson
Larry Soriano
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Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation
By Mail:
431 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 106
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
By Phone:
907-276-7315
Via Fax:
907-276-7311
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Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter! To ensure you receive it, please, add newsletter@afdf.org to your Address Book, or, if this newsletter was forwarded to you, please, add your contact information to our mailing list here.
Sincerely, James Browning
Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation |
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