Category: Press Release

United Fishermen of Alaska has posthumously named Alaska fishermen John Winther of Petersburg and Eric McDowell of Juneau to the organization’s Alaska Seafood Hall of Fame. Beginning in the early 1980s, John Winther started building the Alaska Longline Company (formerly known as Prowler Fisheries) that is based in Petersburg, Alaska. John was a Lifetime Member of the United Fishermen of Alaska. John built a reputation as a fierce defender of the Alaska fishing industry and vibrant Alaskan

The United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA), the statewide umbrella association representing 37 commercial fishing associations, announces the reelection of Arni Thomson, Executive Director of the Alaska Crab Coalition to his third one-year term as President, Bruce Wallace to his second term as Vice President, and new Secretary-Treasurer Kathy Hansen, Executive Director of Southeast Alaska Fishermen’s Alliance, to its slate of officers, effective June 15.

Alaska Seafood exports rose dramatically in 2011 to lead the state’s increase in exports to a record $5.2 billion. Seafood continues to be the number one category of exports from Alaska, and rose 35.1 percent to $2.5 billion in value, comprising nearly half of total state exports, according to a recent announcement by Alaska Governor Sean Parnell. UFA President Arni Thomson reiterated Parnell’s recognition of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, noting the broadening of export destinations an