Effective Stewardship & Leadership
Foster responsible stewardship and leadership in policy-making through education, engagement, and capacity building.
Current Priorities
1. Expanding Access to Policy Participation
Many people most affected by fisheries decisions face barriers to participation. We focus on reducing those barriers so underrepresented voices can engage meaningfully across policy spaces.
2. Strengthening Relationships with Decision-Makers
Effective stewardship depends on open, informed communication between fishing communities and policymakers. We work to strengthen relationships that support more grounded and informed decision-making.
3. Building Shared Leadership Across Communities
Strong leadership is collective. We prioritize collaboration across fishing communities, rural communities, businesses, and conservation partners to advance shared priorities.
4. Supporting Informed and Effective Policy Engagement
Good policy outcomes depend on preparation, understanding, and follow-through. We focus on helping people engage confidently and effectively throughout the policy process.
Key Strategies & Activities:
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Develop practical participation tools: Create simple toolkits, guides, and resources that help people understand when and how to participate effectively in the regulatory process.
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Offer training and mentorship opportunities: Host letter-writing and testimony workshops and support mentorship that builds confidence and leadership skills over time.
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Maintain regular communication with policymakers: Engage consistently with NOAA Fisheries, the Alaska congressional delegation, and North Pacific Fishery Management Council committees.
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Create opportunities for policymakers to hear directly from communities: Host site visits and conversations that connect decision-makers with on-the-ground realities.
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Build and coordinate broad coalitions: Bring together fishing communities, Alaska Native leaders, rural communities, businesses, and conservation groups around shared values and policy goals.
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Develop cohesive, community-informed policy positions: Work with partners to identify common ground and advance coordinated policy recommendations.
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Provide logistical and educational support for policy engagement: Support travel, preparation, and coordination so fishermen and community members can participate effectively in state and federal policy processes.
How You Can Help:
This work depends on collaboration, shared knowledge, and sustained support for informed participation in fisheries policy decisions.
Ways to get involved:
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Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected to current issues and opportunities to engage.
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Read our blog for clear breakdowns of fishery decisions and their impacts on fishing communities.
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When public comment opportunities arise, submit comments or testimony to help elevate community perspectives. Learn how to take action.
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Let us know what you’re hearing or experiencing on the water to help inform our policy engagement.
