By: Alex Pear / 2023 Sustainability Fellow, Southeast Conference
Group photo of the first Discover Your Potential (DYP) middle school commercial fishing program in Blatchley Middle School, Sitka, AK. (Photo by Maddie Gillissie)
"The first Discover Your Potential in commercial fisheries was a great success," says Linda Behnken, board president of Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust (ASFT) and director of Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA). In mid-February, eight Sitka middle schoolers attended ASFT and ALFA’s first Discover Your Potential (DYP) program to gain firsthand knowledge of skills required for jobs in commercial fishing. Behnken continues, "The students learned about Sitka fisheries, the seafood industry, and fishing safety through visits to the harbor, a tour of Seafood Producers Cooperative (SPC), and a boat ride along the waterfront. Their enthusiasm and energy made the class instructive and all-around fun. Seeing a beautiful, freshly caught king salmon at SPC was a highlight for everyone!"
DYP is a program run by the Blatchley Middle School in Sitka, in partnership with organizations, community leaders, volunteers, and teachers to create learning opportunities for middle schoolers to explore relevant experiences that may spark new interests and inspire future goals.
Sitka middle schoolers on a tour of the harbor. (Photo by Linda Behnken)
Through initiatives like DYP, ASFT and ALFA offer a practical and hands-on opportunity to learn about the region’s fisheries. Behnken says, "the students also learned about the commercial fisheries important to Sitka, some basic knot tying skills valuable for anyone working on boats and received critical safety training to keep them safe on the water. This DYP week is aligned with ASFT and ALFA’s commitment to helping young fishermen succeed in Alaska’s abundant, valuable fisheries by providing training, education, and entry level investment."
ASFT and ALFA have numerous initiatives aimed at protecting the future of the region’s fisheries and the critical resources they provide. At the heart of both organization’s missions lies a commitment to supporting youth in entering sustainable local economies and instilling a strong ethic of stewardship for the lands and waters of the region.
Sitka middle schoolers on a tour of Seafood Producers Cooperative. (Photo by Linda Behnken)
Immersive learning experiences like DYP can teach students practical skills and equip them with a better understanding of the interconnectedness between marine ecosystems and human livelihoods. ASFT and ALFA’s commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, with initiatives like the Crew Apprentice Program (CAP) providing emerging fishers with opportunities to work as crew on fishing vessels with seasoned skippers to gain firsthand experience in commercial fishing.
Funded in part by USDA’s Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy (SASS), ASFT and ALFA’s work to promote a sustainable local economy that safeguards local resources resonates with the SASS philosophy. SASS represents an intentional shift towards an economy where natural resources are stewarded for livelihood as well as habitat, recreation, and cultural value. By supporting local workforces and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship, SASS aims to lay the groundwork for a resilient and regenerative economy rooted in the principles of sustainability. Habitat regeneration and workforce development programs are critical components of SASS, and ASFT and ALFA are leaders in sustainable fisheries work in the region.
New fishers in these programs also observe firsthand how habitat degradation and climate change are disrupting salmon runs, an important reminder of the work that is left to protect one of the region’s most valuable ecosystems: the Tongass National Forest. The Tongass, the country’s largest forest carbon sink, spans nearly 17 million acres—an area slightly larger than the state of West Virginia. However, between 1954 and 1993, enormous swaths of the old-growth forest were cut clear, felling 10,000 acres each year. This extensive logging spree left behind a fragmented landscape, removing two-thirds of the highest-volume forest by 2004. The consequences of this ecological upheaval reverberate throughout the forest, disrupting critical habitats for the forest’s fish and wildlife.
Salmon, integral to the region's identity and economy, rely on intact forest ecosystems for their survival. Yet, habitat fragmentation and climate disruptions caused by logging roads and culverts pose significant challenges to their migratory pathways. 240 miles of spawning streams remain blocked by past road building efforts and failed culverts, hindering the salmon's ability to complete their life cycle. Additionally, salmon traverse a complex myriad of freshwater, estuarine, and marine habitats throughout their lifecycle, exposing them to numerous climate change threats. The changing climate and habitats left by decades of logging disrupt migration patterns, alter the marine food web, and compromise critical spawning and rearing habitats, leading to declines in salmon returns and harvests in recent years. By training the region's future fishery leaders, ASFT and ALFA are also helping nurture the next generation of Tongass stewards.
A freshly caught king salmon at Seafood Producers Cooperative. (Photo by Linda Behnken)
ASFT and ALFA’s youth training programs are helping pass the lessons of fishery stewardship and sustainability to the next generation of commercial fishers. Both organizations are among many regional partners charting a course towards a future where the Tongass thrives, its fish populations flourish, and Southeast Alaska's communities prosper. Through collaborative efforts and a shared commitment to recognizing the value in a revitalized Tongass, this vision of sustainability can become a reality for generations to come.
Written by Alex Pear, who seeks to communicate cooperative stewardship, respect, wonder, and hope through environmental storytelling. Alex worked as an Alaska Fellow at Southeast Conference.