Alaska Sea Grant to help Gulf Coast fishermen

Submitted by Doug Schneider
Phone: (907) 474-7449
11/10/05

FAIRBANKS, Alaska--Alaska Sea Grant, publisher of books and videos about Alaska’s marine resources for fishermen, teachers and scientists, will donate a percentage of earnings to U.S. Gulf Coast fishermen affected by hurricanes in 2005.

The program will donate 10 percent of sales from November 2005 through April 2006 to the Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission, Inc. (AFIRM), a nonprofit charity established by Alaska seafood harvesters and processors, seafood transportation companies, and the seafood banking industry, in the wake of the Gulf Coast disasters. Alaska Sea Grant’s donation is projected to be about $3,000.

"Alaska and the Gulf Coast are the two most productive sources of wild seafood in the U.S.," said U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, AFIRM honorary chair. "We have much more in common than in competition. We believe that anything that weakens the domestic seafood industry weakens the economic and social fabric of both our regions."

Alaska Sea Grant is a state-federal marine research, education, and advisory program based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.

"We help Alaska fishermen through research, workplace training, education and outreach," said Brian Allee, Alaska Sea Grant director. "It’s appropriate that we reach out and help fishermen elsewhere who may be having a difficult time."

The program produces numerous publications, videos and posters for use by fishermen, tourists, teachers, students and others interested in marine resources. Sales proceeds are funneled back into the production of educational materials aimed at helping Alaskans understand, conserve and wisely use the state’s marine resources.

Alaska Sea Grant is well-known for publications such as the award-winning Guide to Marine Mammals of Alaska and Guide to Northeast Pacific Rockfish, both popular among fishermen, wildlife viewers and others. The mammal guide is now in its third printing, with 25,000 copies sold since 1992.

In all, Alaska Sea Grant has some 200 book and video titles. For more about how to purchase Alaska Sea Grant products, visit http://www.alaskaseagrant.org.

CONTACT: Kathy Kurtenbach, Sales & Marketing Coordinator, (907) 474-7476, or via e-mail at k.kurtenbach@uaf.edu
ON THE WEB: More information on AFIRM and ASG’s donation
Alaska Sea Grant bookstore

SG-2005/NR226