Get Involved

One of the most important ways you can be involved in promoting sustainability in Cook Inlet salmon fisheries is to be an informed resource user, media consumer, and voter.  There are many ways a person can be involved in Cook Inlet salmon fisheries.  On this page, we give you a few outlets to learn, share, and participate.

Support or Sponsor ASA’s work

ASA has an Associate Sponsor Program to enable businesses and individuals involved in the harvest, distribution, sales, and other aspects of the fishing industry in the Cook Inlet and Southcentral Alaska regions to support the organization’s work through financial contribution. Here are documents for learning more about the program and signing up:

• Associate Sponsorship Program Description
• Associate Sponsorship Form

Learn

Cook Inlet salmon fisheries are constantly changing and evolving as new information becomes available and participants take an active role in their fishery.  There are many fine learning institutions, exhibits, and programs available to suit a wide variety of education needs. Here we provide links to a variety of programs.  We provide these links because we find them to be quality, apolitical, and educational.  We do not receive any compensation from these educational providers for providing a link to their content.  If you would like to see your program listed here, contact us using the form at the bottom of this page!

• Alaska SeaLife Center
• Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association
• University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
• University of Alaska Southeast Fisheries Technology Program

Participate

• Alaska Fish and Game Advisory Committees
  The Alaska Board of Fisheries process allows for public input through advisory committees(ACs), which are the local “grass roots” groups that meet to discuss fishing and wildlife issues and to provide recommendations to the boards. There are 82 committees throughout the state each with expertise in a particular local area.As authorized by Alaska Statute 16.05.260 which originally passed in 1959, the Joint Board of Fisheries and Game established 82 Advisory committees for the purpose of providing a local forum for the collection and expression of opinions and recommendations on matters related to the management of fish and wildlife resources. The regulations governing the advisory committee are 5 AAC Chapter 96 and 97.Meetings are always open to the public and are generally attended by department staff and members of the public who can offer background information on agenda topics. Advisory Committees are intended to provide a local forum on fish and wildlife issues. Their purpose as established by the legislature includes:
  – Developing regulatory proposals
  – Evaluating regulatory proposals and making recommendations to the appropriate board
  – Providing a local forum for fish and wildlife conservation and use, including matters relating to habitat
  – Advising the appropriate regional council on resources
  – Consulting with individuals, organizations, and agenciesAnyone can serve on an advisory committee if elected to service. To find the nearest AC near you, you can visit the State’s website and search for a meeting.
  (information from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website)
• Online Forums
  Alaska Outdoors Forums – A great open forum to learn about everything outdoors related, including fishing.
• Advocacy Groups
  There are a myriad of advocacy groups that work for the rights, access, and opportunity of fishing user groups in Cook Inlet. Whether you are a sport, commercial, or personal use fisher, you can find a group that will connect you with other fishermen and women and provide opportunities to be civilly engaged in your fishery.

Board of Directors

Norm Darch, Executive Director
Mike Simpson, E&E Foods, VP of Alaska Operations (President)
Erik Huebsch, Kasilof Drift boat owner (Vice-President)
Janet Carroll, OBI Foods (Board Member)
Joseph Person, Setnet Fisherman (Board Member)
Richard King, Rogue Wave Processing (Board Member)
Robert Nathanson, OBI Foods (Alternate Member)
Ryan Doktor, E&E Foods, Plant manager (Alternate Member)