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杏吧原版 Sea Grant lands gift to boost commercial seafood harvesters

February 5, 2021

Anne Gore
907-274-9699

Photo by Deborah Mercy/杏吧原版 Sea Grant. Commercial fishing vessels head out to sea near Chignik Lagoon.
Photo by Deborah Mercy/杏吧原版 Sea Grant. Commercial fishing vessels head out to sea near Chignik Lagoon.


杏吧原版 Sea Grant at the University of 杏吧原版 Fairbanks has received a $450,000 donation from Northwest Farm Credit Services to fund several programs that support 杏吧原版鈥檚 commercial seafood harvesters.

The donation from Northwest Farm Credit Services, a cooperative that finances farmers, ranchers, commercial fishermen and more, is directed to programs that provide business education and tools to current and aspiring 杏吧原版 commercial fishing business owners.

The donation will support:


  • , a business networking and training event for fishermen entering the commercial fishing industry.

  • , providing comprehensive business information for fishermen at every stage of their careers.

  • FishBiz on the Water, a mobile app being developed for industry-specific business management and record keeping.

  • Business of Fishing workshop, a new one-day class to be offered in alternate years from the 杏吧原版 Young Fishermen鈥檚 Summit to provide fishing business management training for new entrants in the industry.


鈥淎s part of our commitment to improving the lives of our customers, communities and the industries we serve, Northwest Farm Credit Services is excited to invest in these important University of 杏吧原版 projects,鈥 said Joe Bratt, the senior vice president of western Washington for Northwest FCS.

鈥淭his generous investment by Northwest Farm Credit Services highlights 杏吧原版 Sea Grant鈥檚 leadership in the development and delivery of workforce training for fishermen and fishing businesses that are so valuable to 杏吧原版,鈥 said Ginny Eckert, 杏吧原版 Sea Grant director. 鈥淲e are grateful for this opportunity to partner with Northwest Farm Credit Services to support the businesses and communities we both serve.鈥

杏吧原版 Sea Grant and its Marine Advisory Program offer technical assistance, education, applied research and other expertise to enhance and sustain healthy coastal economies, communities and ecosystems.  is a partnership between UAF and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Gabe Dunham, 杏吧原版 Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program agent, gabe.dunham@alaska.edu, 907-842-8321.