AlaskaFishBiz.org is one-stop resource for fishermen, processors

Submitted by Doug Schneider
Phone: (907) 474-7449
03/01/06

Commercial fishermen and seafood processors now can turn to a single web site, aptly called AlaskaFishBiz.org, for information and resources about financing, small business development, education and training, and other seafood industry business needs and services.

The web site is part of the Alaska Fisheries Business Assistance Project, or FishBiz. Created by the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program (MAP), FishBiz aims to help Alaska fishermen and seafood processors improve their skills in business, seafood handling, quality control and marketing. The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Sea Grant fund the FishBiz project.

"FishBiz provides commercial fishermen and seafood processors with information about our training programs and workshops, useful publications, and even helps people find experts to answer questions they have about commercial fishing and the seafood industry,"? said Paula Cullenberg, leader of the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program. "The web site is a kind of convenience store where people can quickly find what they need."?

The web site teems with information about seafood handling and marketing workshops on such topics as onboard freezing, directed transfer of fishing businesses, and direct marketing of seafood. Also offered are technical seminars on such timely topics as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), an important concern for people required to safely handle and process seafood.

One popular publication available at AlaskaFishBiz.org is called the Business Resource Guide for Alaska Fishermen. The free 50-page publication lists more than 300 agencies, programs and fisheries business-related services.

The FishBiz web site also offers information about the Alaska Seafood Processing Leadership Institute, a new initiative aimed at identifying and training up-and-coming leaders in the industry.

Cullenberg said the FishBiz web site soon will host new offerings, including electronic business spreadsheets, videos, PowerPoint presentations and additional training publications.

"We are adding things to the web site all the time,"? said Terry Johnson, FishBiz coordinator and Homer MAP agent.

For more information about Alaska Fisheries Business Assistance Project, contact Terry Johnson, FishBiz coordinator in Homer at (907) 235-5643, rftlj@uaf.edu; or Paula Cullenberg, MAP leader in Anchorage at (907) 274-9692, anpjc@uaa.alaska.edu. You can also go online to www.alaskafishbiz.org.

The Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program is a statewide outreach and technical assistance program that helps Alaskans wisely use, conserve, and enjoy Alaska’s marine and coastal resources. It is part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, and is headquartered in Anchorage.