A group of anglers in Alaska has formed a co-op in a bid to revitalise commercial salmon fishing in Kuskokwim Bay, on the state’s south-west coast.
The Independent Fishermen of Quinhagak Cooperative (IFQC) has approved 70 anglers for work with the regional buyer, E&E Foods, according to reports.
The co-operative board has limited the co-operative’s eligibility to harvesters living in the villages of Quinhagak, Goodnews Bay, Platinum, and Eek.
E&E Foods will turn away anglers who have not been approved, it added.
The Kuskokwim Bay in Southwest Alaska was scheduled for a 12-hour commercial opening Monday, the area’s first commercial fishing slot in five years.
In a press statement, the co-op said: “IFQC is pleased to be working with Wildfish Marketing and has also contracted with E&E foods to purchase fish on a limited capacity and trial basis for this year.
“Only Quinhagak fisherman that have completed the co-operative paperwork and have been approved by the IFQC board will be allowed to fish and sell to the E&E Foods tender. All other fishermen not approved will be turned away from the tender.”
A processing vessel anchored in the area will accept fish from approved fishermen, it added.
“Years of work and efforts have gone into restarting the Quinhagak fishery with the support of Qanituuq Inc, the City of Quinhagak, Native Village of Kwinhagak, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildfish Marketing, E & E Foods, Coastal Village Seafoods and the fishermen of Quinhagak.
“Since this is a trial year, and we are focused on producing the highest quality of fish possible. We are building trusting relationships with markets and processors so that the co-op can grow and expand in the future. We ask that the other fishermen in the region cheer our efforts and support the co-op’s small scale operation.”
The co-op says it is also taking care to follow the Covid-19 rules laid down by the state and local authorities for the fishing fleet. “Those individuals coming to Quinhagak need to be tested and be in a quarantined household for two weeks or until the negative test results are received.”
