The Fisheries Access Assessment aims to understand why fishing permits are leaving rural and Indigenous communities in Southeast Alaska and find solutions. In June 2024, the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust (ASFT) released the “From Tide to Table: Fisheries Access in Southeast Alaska” report, which summarized findings from a regional survey. This report identified culturally compatible fisheries, highlighted obstacles to participation, and proposed solutions to address the multi-decade decline in fisheries engagement in these communities.
ASFT, in collaboration with regional Tribal partners and others, is actively working to implement programs that overcome these identified obstacles. This includes supporting funding for a fisheries catalyst through the Sustainable Southeast Partnership. Furthermore, ASFT and its partners are establishing a regional community quota entity (CQE) for Southeast Alaska to help anchor fishing quota in underserved communities and are working to secure funds to purchase halibut quota for use by rural residents.
The Fisheries Access Assessment is funded by SEC within the Southeast Alaska Sustainable Strategy (SASS) Program.
