Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program
The Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program is a statewide outreach and technical assistance program helping Alaskans use, conserve,
and enjoy Alaska's marine and coastal resources. The program works to:
- Assist coastal residents to diversify their community’s economic base through involvement in ventures such as aquaculture, marine recreation and tourism, seafood processing, and direct marketing of Alaska seafood.
- Enhance the value of commercial fishing, shellfish mariculture, seaweed farming, and seafood processing through training and technical assistance.
- Contribute to the information base of Alaskans who are making decisions affecting the conservation of the state’s marine resources, or who depend on them for traditional, cultural, recreational or nutritional sustenance.
- Aquaculture in Alaska: What would and wouldn't work in Bristol Bay and why
- The complicated opportunities for electric outboards
- Drafting and Presenting a Proposal to the Board of Fish
- Fishers Management Under Tradeoffs
- Bristol Bay Guardians
- Climate and it's Impacts in Bristol Bay
- Tax Tips for Commercial Fishers
- Merchant Marine
- Prioritizing Mental Health
- New Insights on Salmon in Alaska's Marine Environments: Temperature Preferences and Distribution
- Lake Iliamna Seal Genetics
- Nuyakuk Hydroelectric Project
- Financial Literacy
- Unruly Returns: Producing Alaska Wild Salmon in Bristol Bay
- Gardening in Dillingham: From Research to Results
- Mulchatna Caribou Management
- Drone Research on Salmon in Bristol Bay
- Changing climate and affects on the numbers and sizes of Bristol Bay salmon in Aleknagik
- The double-edged sword of salmon hatchery strays: lessons learned from PWS pinks
- Dillingham Pathogens Water Quality Monitoring Project
- 2024 Season: A Brief Recap from the West-side Perspective
- Early marine ecology of Bristol Bay sockeye salmon: what we have learned during 25 years of research
- Energy Transitions Technical Assistance for Rural Alaska
- Survey of Togiak and Bristol Bay
- Setnet Safety Study
- Renewable energy on boats and funding for it
- Direct Marketing in Bristol Bay: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
- Crewshares, IRS Form 1099-MISC and Other Tax Tips for Fishers
- Mental Health in Commercial Fishing
- State of Salmon
- Update on the Status and Trends of Marine Birds in Western Alaska
- FRI/ASP research at Lake Iliamna: From zooplankton, to salmon, to bears
- Commercial Fishing Financial Lenders
- Moose Population Dynamics in Bristol Bay
- BBEDC Permit Brokerage Department
- Passcode: #.2fQXmm
- BBEDC Regional Fisheries Department
- Passcode: X11U?YQn
- Shore Fishery Leasing Program
- Passcode: 6F7*.&gZ
- Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association
- Passcode: x=DXXm1!
- Presentation Slideshow
- Bristol Bay West Side Area Management
- Passcode: ex!+6rYc
- Commercial Fishing Vessel Insurance
- Passcode: +0s.tjBs
The Sea Grant Skipper Apprenticeship Program is a 4 tier micro-credentialing initiative designed to develop a specific, essential position in the commercial fishing sector.
Our goal
Commercial fishing is 20% fishing and 80% everything else. Our classes focus on the 80% of everything else; marine safety, diesel mechanics, welding, refrigerated sea water systems, business management, etc.
The classes are directed at teaching introductory skills for Bristol Bay commercial fishers. They will not take the place of On-The-Job training but will supplement that training with formal classroom instruction from subject matter experts.
What is a micro-credential?
A small, focused, educational program that offers specific knowledge and skills in a particular subject or field. They are designed to provide targeted learning experiences that are shorter in duration and more specific than traditional degree programs.
Our curriculum
1st Tier: Greenhorn
Tier one is designed for aspiring fishermen who are looking to acquire skills as the greenhorn vessel apprentice. Greenhorns are novice or inexperienced fishermen. Seasoned greenhorns can also use this credential to continue developing at the entry level of commercial fishing industry.
- Net Hanging/Mending
- Bristol Bay Crew Class
- AMSEA Mariner’s First Aid and CPR for Bristol Bay OR Setnet Safety
- Tool & Shop Basics OR Plumbing
- Introduction to Bristol Bay Salmon
2nd Tier: Lead Crew
Tier two is catered to fishermen that have already completed the greenhorn micro-credential, or have adequate industry experience as a greenhorn to advance to the next level of expertise as lead crew
- Introduction to Small Engine Repair OR Introduction to Propulsion Systems
- Introduction to Marine DC Electrical Systems OR Safety Including Rigging and Lifting
- Introduction to Aluminum Marine Welding/Intermediate Aluminum Marine Welding OR Introduction to Marine Fiberglass Repair
- Navigation/Rules of the Road/Boat Handling
- Stability/Boat Design/Hydrodynamics
3rd Tier: Deck Boss/Lead Engineer
Tier three is catered to fishermen that have already completed the greenhorn and lead crew micro-credentials in the series, or have adequate industry experience to advance to the next level of expertise as lead crew.
- Introduction to Marine Refrigeration (RSW)
- Advanced Welding MIG/TIG Aluminum OR Introduction to Marine Fiberglass Repair
- Startup Procedures/Winterization
- Hydraulics OR Electrolysis/Dissimilar Metals
- Introduction to Diesel Mechanics
4th Tier: Aspiring Skipper/Owner
Tier four is catered to seasoned fishermen that have already completed the greenhorn, lead crew, and deck boss/lead engineer micro-credentials, or have adequate industry experience to advance to the next level of expertise into aspiring skipper or owner.
- Advanced Diesel Mechanics OR Metal Fabrication
- Dynamics of Leadership*
- Legal/Insurance*
- Advanced Financial Accounting/Business Planning*
- Bristol Bay Fisheries; Harvesting, Processing, and Marketing OR Direct Marketing
* These course requirements can be fulfilled by attending the Alaska Young Fishermens Summit. Training funded by Alaska Sea Grant Business of Fish and/or Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit.
* These course requirements can be fulfilled by attending the Alaska Young Fishermens Summit. Training funded by Alaska Sea Grant Business of Fish and/or Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit.
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