Pollock fleet donations top $10 million in 10 years

Submitted by Carin Stephens
Phone: 907-322-8730
01/12/10

A group of pollock-fishing companies have donated more than $10 million to the UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences during the last decade.

The donations place the Pollock Conservation Cooperative among the largest private contributors to the University of Alaska since its inception in 1917. Donations fund the Pollock Conservation Cooperative Research Center, the Ted Stevens Distinguished Professor of Marine Policy and the preservation of Ted Stevens’ papers. The research center was founded in 2000 and has received about $1 million annually.

"By giving in support of ocean science, the PCC doesn’t just benefit from the bounty of the sea, but also gives back to ensure the sustainability of our fisheries for future generations," said Denis Wiesenburg, dean of the UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. "Their funding of our center allows us to jump-start research projects whose results are important to understanding and managing Alaska’s robust fisheries."

The center provides grants to University of Alaska faculty members and other scientists to study North Pacific marine and coastal ecosystems, fisheries and marine mammals. Recent projects include studies of Steller sea lion pups, DNA analysis of chum salmon, population dynamics of Pacific Ocean perch and the effects of ocean acidification on juvenile walleye pollock. Pollock Conservation Cooperative members include American Seafoods Company, Arctic Storm, Glacier Fish Company, Starbound and Trident Seafoods Corporation.

About SFOS

The UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences conducts world-class marine and fisheries research, education and outreach across Alaska, the Arctic and Antarctic. 60 faculty scientists and 150 students are engaged in building knowledge about Alaska and the world’s coastal and marine ecosystems. SFOS is headquartered at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and serves the state from facilities located in Seward, Juneau, Anchorage and Kodiak.

CONTACT: Carin Stephens, public information officer, UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 907-322-8730 or cbstephens@alaska.edu. Denis Wiesenburg, dean, UAF SFOS, 907-474-7210 or wiesenburg@sfos.uaf.edu.

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