Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation is embarking on its 32nd year of working on behalf of the commercial fishing industry in Alaska. We have a long track record of working with Federal and state fisheries management agencies, the fishing industry, and the scientific community to find ways to bring greater economic value and conservation.

Having its impetus from language in the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act originally passed in 1976, allowing for the formation of regional fisheries development corporations for the purpose of building infrastructure for the newly claimed fisheries resources, this foundation has had a productive and beneficial effect on Alaska’s finfish and shellfish treasures as well as state revenues. With projects as varied as building the first shore-based Surimi plant in Kodiak in the mid 1980’s, Steller sea lion research, octopus tagging to assess the potential for a entry level commercial fishery, acting as liaison between Beechnut and industry to develop salmon baby food, and more recently becoming the client for MSC certification of sustainability for Pacific cod as well as taking over as client from Alaska Department of Fish and Game for Alaska salmon, AFDF has continued its role in supporting all facets of the commercial fishing industry in Alaska.