Fish First, Party Second
Ensuring Alaska’s fisheries are a policy priority through nonpartisan education, candidate engagement, and voter empowerment.
Overview
Fish First, Party Second is a nonpartisan voter education campaign focused on
elevating fisheries in Alaska’s elections and the leadership decisions that follow.
Since 2018, fisheries have been increasingly absent from campaign discussions in the lead-up to elections—despite their central role in the state’s economy, culture, and food systems.
That absence has extended beyond the campaign trail, shaping leadership decisions with real consequences for Alaska’s fishing communities.
Informed leadership starts before candidates take office. By 2026, our goal is to engage candidates running for all statewide and regional seats in Alaska on the importance of fisheries to the state.
No candidate, regardless of party, should be elected without a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Alaska’s waters, fisheries, and fishing livelihoods. This work is about stewardship, accountability, and responsible leadership—not partisanship.
Key Strategies & Activities
Build fisheries fluency among candidates: Host nonpartisan candidate briefings and educational opportunities to strengthen understanding of Alaska’s fisheries, working waterfronts, and coastal economies.
Equip voters with clear, nonpartisan information: Develop tools and resources that help voters evaluate candidates’ understanding of fisheries issues and their preparedness to lead on them.
Elevate community voices in election conversations: Center the perspectives of harvesters, fishing families, and coastal communities in public dialogue throughout the election cycle.
Strengthen alliances around shared fisheries priorities: Partner with organizations, community leaders, and allies to restore fisheries as a core issue in Alaska’s political conversations.
Keep fisheries visible throughout the election cycle: Ensure fisheries are consistently part of campaign discussions, public forums, and voter outreach—not just during election season, but as an ongoing public priority.