Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit

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LIVE from Washington D.C. !! 🏛️

Director of Alaska Sea Grant, Ginny Eckert, and Marine Advisory Program Leader and Fisheries Specialist, Gabe Dunham, are in the U.S. capital this week attending the Spring 2026 Sea Grant Association meeting !! 🌊

It's always a treat to connect with other Sea Grant programs and get excited for the year ahead. 🩵

Next generation of Alaska gather for summit 🎣

The first time Noah Swenson attended the Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit (AYFS), he found a boat. The second time, he found his voice. 🗣️

In 2024, the then-27-year-old Homer fisherman spent much of his time at AYFS meeting with a representative of AgWest Farm Credit to successfully arrange a loan to buy a 36-foot . This year, he returned with a different goal: to get more comfortable speaking on his own behalf. 🤝🏼

“The second time around, in Juneau, I got to go into the and meet with representatives and just talk with them one-on-one,” said Swenson, who would go on to testify before the North Pacific Fishery Management Council just a few days after the event. “AYFS helped me gain perspective and confidence in stepping into that space … It was a good warm-up for actually getting involved in my own fishery.” 🐟

Swenson’s experiences at AYFS illustrate a strength of the event: it is many things to many people. For those starting out on a fishing crew, it’s a chance to learn some basics and to hear about the promise and perils of a fishing career. For more seasoned , it’s an opportunity to absorb more of the nuances of fisheries, and to learn to advocate for their interests. And for everyone, it’s a window to share experiences and knowledge with compatriots from across Alaska. 🌊

Read the full AYFS recap via the 🔗 link below.

🔗: https://alaskaseagrant.org/2026/02/next-generation-of-alaska-fishermen-gather-for-summit/

Register NOW !! 🐟

🗓️ Business of Fishing – February 2026
February 23, 25 and 27 (M, W, F)
5:30–8:00 pm each day

Alaska Sea Grant’s Business of Fishing workshop is a three session online workshop offering business training to coastal communities around the state. It is designed for boat owners, permit holders and looking to upgrade their fishing operations and improve their management skills. 💵

The workshop covers financing in session one, risk management and mitigation in session two, and tax strategy and organization during session 3. 💰

Developed from the successful Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit business training, the Business of Fishing workshop expands on that program and brings it directly to fishermen. 🤝

Workshop support provided by AgWest Farm Credit.

Head to the Events page on our website, 🔗 linked below, to learn more.

🔗: https://alaskaseagrant.org/event/business-of-fishing-february-2026/

“Young are facing a lot of challenges today. Yet, older fishermen, seafood processors and communities need new fishermen entrants, as they are an integral part of keeping the industry thriving. The Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit provides knowledge, contacts, and tools that help young fishermen break down some of those challenges and help put young fishermen on a path to success.” - Julie Decker, AYFS 2026 Keynote speaker

We're still recovering for such an amazing week at the 11th Annual Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit in Juneau !! 🐟

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend, share their knowledge, and engage with the next WAVE of commercial fishermen. 🌊

Scroll through to see just a handful of highlights. ➡️

AYFS 2026 is off and running !! 🩵

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Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit 2026