Anchoring the Future: UAF CBSM Students and the Alaska Blue Economy Center

By David Sauter
July 30, 2024

With the mission of connecting the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ business students to the seafood industry in Alaska and supporting fishery sustainability, Alaska Blue Economy Center (ABEC) and the UAF College of Business and Security Management have collaborated to deliver meaningful opportunities for the school and potential benefits for the industry. CBSM student and alumnus, David Sauter, has been participating in the fishery sustainability certification space and engaging with stakeholders representing regulators, sustainability certification bodies, seafood harvesters and processors, and Alaska Native organizations representing communities dependent on sustainably managed fisheries.

In April, David attended the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting, where he heard from scientists, harvesters, communities, and various stakeholders in the fishery management and certification field. Throughout the day, he connected with several insiders who graciously shed some insight into the industry's needs, which include workforce development to ensure Alaskan students are prepared for entry into these fields.

David met with Dan Averill and Nicole Condon, representatives from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), who are in the process of making their training platform accessible to UAF. Discussions were held on the role and value of fishery certification to industry stakeholders and potential obstacles to successful implementation in Alaska. Further conversations with Jeff Regnart, Program Director for Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM), and Julie Decker, President of Pacific Seafood Processors Association (PSPA), reinforced the certification process's needs and highlighted other opportunities for ABEC and CBSM students to engage.

ABEC is working with MSC to host education events in Juneau and Fairbanks in September. The events will include workshops that prepare students and other attendees by offering the practical knowledge and skills necessary to take the first steps into the fishery sustainability space. These events will engage students and other Alaskan stakeholders with MSC to highlight career opportunities and address needs in the certification process.

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On behalf of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Alaska Blue Economy Center (ABEC) is assisting with preparations for two in-person workshops to take place in Alaska during the week of September 16 on their "Fisheries Conformity Assessor Program (FCAP)," additional details for which may be found at the MSC FCAP website.

Details regarding the in-person workshops may be found below:

Tuesday, September 17, in Fairbanks, Alaska, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) campus, from 9 AM to 5 PM, with additional details to be provided to registered participants at a later date.

And, Friday, September 20, in Juneau, Alaska, at the Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute (TSMRI), from 9 AM to 5 PM, with additional details to be provided to registered participants at a later date.

Please contact ABEC's Tommy Sheridan at tmsheridan@alaska.edu for more details regarding these workshops.