Bering Sea Fishermen's Association

Over the years, BSFA has increased its involvement in fisheries-related rural economic development in western Alaska. A short list of successes in which BSFA played a substantial, if not the primary role, includes:

---Establishment of the Community Development Quota Program with Harold Sparck that launched six CDQ corporations with current combined revenues of over $300M.

---Development of U.S. Coast Guard surveillance to guard against foreign high seas piracy activity in the Bering Sea.

---Development of herring fisheries in western Alaska.

---Development of commercial halibut fisheries for western Alaska through the International Pacific Halibut Commission.

---Elimination of high seas interception of western Alaskan salmon in the Bering Sea and North Pacific Ocean.

---Founded various fisheries research and coordinating programs and non-profits including: 

• Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative
• Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association
• Norton Sound Salmon Research and Restoration Program
• Bristol Bay Buy-back Coalition
• Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Coalition

---Establishment of the king salmon saving areas in the Bering Sea.

---Creation of the Alaska Board of Fish Regional Advisory Committees.

---Construction of the Quinhagak fish processing plant; as well as cold storage facilities in Tununak, Mekoryuk, and Toksook Bay.

All of these accomplishments are the results of tireless participation in the legislative and regulatory forums that have so much influence on western Alaska resources, including: the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, the Alaska Board of Fish and the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission. In addition to monitoring current issues on behalf of village fishermen, BSFA also administers and directs scientific research. 

The strength of BSFA lies with the desire of the people to improve their economic standing and income from those natural, renewable resources which, for the most part, are readily available. "Native villages who are trying to do new things (in fisheries development), depend on BSFA: said David Bill, fisherman from Toksook Bay and BSFA board member. "Without this support we (these villages) will struggle to survive". 

It was recognized from the start that BSFA needed to work on the harvesting, processing and marketing components of commercial fisheries. The fishery begins when the fish hits the net and continues through the seafood processor to the consumer's plate. Without someone to buy the fish or move it to market, there is no fishery. Without the fish returning to healthy spawning grounds or evading high seas interception, there is no fishery. BSFA is more than just another fishermen's association. BSFA has been entrenched in the drive to provide economic opportunity for rural western Alaska. "Bering Sea has done more for economic development in western Alaska than any other state-funded organization I know: related William Nicholson, president of the Bristol Bay Longline Gillnet Coop in Dillingham. "For the money that has been spent with BSFA, the economic and social quality of life has been vastly improved." 

Although the mandate of the organization remains the same, many accomplishments have been achieved since that day in 1979. BSFA has been very successful in meeting its original goals. BSFA's fisheries extension services have provided western Alaskan fishermen with information and technical assistance on a wide range of items including: writing up commercial herring agreements for local groups; preparation of loan application forms; advising on permit/license applications; arranging travel for village representatives to fisheries meetings; providing technical information on various forms of processing such as smoking and salting; and assisting in the formation of fishermen's cooperatives or associations.

The need for research and restoration of Alaskan salmon became central to the mission of the organization.  It was a turning point for BSFA and continues to receive a great amount of attention.

BSFA: Supporting the future of fisheries research and new fisheries development in western Alaska

Expanded Research and Restoration Initiatives: Research on salmon stocks in western Alaska has and is receiving attention at a level that has been needed since Statehood.  There is a great deal of work to be done.  BSFA is participating at every level to guide this research and guarantee its appropriate application so that western Alaskan’s obtain the greatest good from the resource.

Sustainable Fisheries Development:  The key to supporting and implementing development programs is to ensure that our fisheries are sustainable at every level.  BSFA’s long history and demonstrated track record of developing effective conservation measures and innovative economic development initiatives on levels appropriate to the resource base is more valuable than ever.

Collaborative Partnerships: It is apparent that western Alaskan organizations benefit the most when working collaboratively.  By joining together our resources can be allocated more efficiently and everyone benefits.  BSFA was established on the premise that one voice can be heard more clearly when its words are chosen carefully and the message represents us all.  This is especially important when our organizations are spread thin as they have in the past and will continue to be so in the future.

In 1979, western Alaska commercial fisheries leaders established the Bering Sea Fishermen's Association to give the subsistence and commercial fishermen a voice in the sustainability and development of Bering Sea and western Alaska fishery resources. And what a voice it has become. Looking back on the days of the initial organizational meeting, it is hard to believe all that the BSFA has accomplished in such a relatively short period of time. There have been many challenges and BSFA has been there to respond to them. But, BSFA has done more than respond, it has played a leading and critical role ensuring that western Alaska fishermen are in control of their own future.

The lives, economies and traditions of people who live in the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim & Bristol Bay are based on the productivity of the Bering Sea and our role as stewards of the Bering Sea is taken seriously.

BSFA is directed by a 13 member board made up of local fishermen from Bristol Bay, the Yukon/Kuskokwim delta region, Norton Sound, Kotzebue and St. Paul.

Bristol Bay Region

            Gusty Chythlook, Dillingham

            Tom Tilden, Dillingham

             Frank Logusak, Togiak

Kotzebue Sound Region

            Eugene Smith, Kotzebue

            Willie Goodwin, Kotzebue

            Vacant

Norton Sound Region

            Eugene Asicksik, Shaktoolik

            Steve Ivanoff, Unalakleet

            Vacant

Yukon-Kuskokwim Region

            Ragnar Alstrom, Alakanuk

            David Bill Sr., Toksook Bay

            Vacant

St. Paul Island

            Phillip Lestenkof, St. Paul