June 25, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Fisheries 101” Aims to Educate Electeds, Candidates on Fish Essentials
AMCC Webinar Gathers Stakeholders from Varied Sectors for Boots-On-Deck-Perspective Panel
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska Marine Community Coalition (AMCC) released a new public education resource today designed to help voters, candidates, policymakers, and community members better understand Alaska’s fisheries and the policies that shape them.
Originally presented as a live webinar on June 22, Alaska Fisheries 101: A Community-Based Fisheries Perspective provides an accessible, nonpartisan introduction to the role fisheries play in Alaska’s economy, food systems, coastal communities, cultural identity, and public policy. The recording is now available as a long-term resource for anyone seeking a stronger grounding in Alaska fisheries issues.
The discussion was moderated by Maddie Lightsey, President of Alaska Boats & Permits, and featured a panel representing a range of fisheries experiences and perspectives, including:
-
Billy Hayden, President, Homer Charter Association
-
Lauren Howard, Policy Coordinator, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association
-
Julie Kavanaugh, Harvester and Tender Operator, Commercial Fisheries
-
Cory Lescher, Science Advisor and Policy Analyst, Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers
The webinar covered foundational issues in Alaska fisheries, including the importance of fish to Alaska communities, the relationship between state and federal fisheries management, barriers to entry for the next generation, processor consolidation, working waterfront infrastructure, and the need for accountable fisheries policy that supports healthy ecosystems and fishing communities.
“Fisheries policy can be technical, but at the center of every decision are people, communities, and ecosystems,” said Michelle Stratton, Executive Director of AMCC. “We created this resource to help voters, candidates, and policymakers better understand what is at stake for Alaska’s fishing families, coastal communities, and marine resources. Healthy fisheries and strong fishing communities are not just industry issues. They are Alaska issues.”
The panel discussion is part of AMCC’s Fish First, Party Second public education initiative, a nonpartisan effort to help Alaskans better understand fisheries issues and encourage civic engagement around the future of Alaska’s fisheries.
The webinar recording is available here.
##
ABOUT FISH FIRST, PARTY SECOND
Fish First, Party Second is a nonpartisan public education initiative led by Alaska Marine Community Coalition to help voters, candidates, policymakers, and community members better understand the fisheries issues shaping Alaska’s future. The initiative provides accessible resources on fisheries policy, working waterfronts, seafood economies, bycatch, habitat, infrastructure, access, and the importance of healthy fish populations to Alaska communities. For more information, visit akmarine.org/fishfirst.
ABOUT ALASKA MARINE COMMUNITY COALITION
Alaska Marine Community Coalition (AMCC) is a fishermen-founded organization working to advance sustainable fisheries, healthy marine ecosystems, and thriving fishing and subsistence communities across Alaska. AMCC’s work is grounded in the principle that fisheries management must be ecologically credible, publicly accountable, and responsive to the needs of Alaska’s fishing families and coastal communities. For more information, visit akmarine.org, or follow us on Instagram (@ak.marine), Facebook (@AlaskaMarine), and LinkedIn).