Ӱpro Sea Grant lands gift to boost commercial seafood harvesters
February 5, 2021
Anne Gore
907-274-9699
Ӱpro Sea Grant at the Ӱpro has received a $450,000 donation from Northwest Farm Credit Services to fund several programs that support Ӱpro’s commercial seafood harvesters.
The donation from Northwest Farm Credit Services, a cooperative that finances farmers, ranchers, commercial fishermen and more, is directed to programs that provide business education and tools to current and aspiring Ӱpro commercial fishing business owners.
The donation will support:
- , a business networking and training event for fishermen entering the commercial fishing industry.
- , providing comprehensive business information for fishermen at every stage of their careers.
- FishBiz on the Water, a mobile app being developed for industry-specific business management and record keeping.
- Business of Fishing workshop, a new one-day class to be offered in alternate years from the Ӱpro Young Fishermen’s Summit to provide fishing business management training for new entrants in the industry.
“As part of our commitment to improving the lives of our customers, communities and the industries we serve, Northwest Farm Credit Services is excited to invest in these important University of Ӱpro projects,” said Joe Bratt, the senior vice president of western Washington for Northwest FCS.
“This generous investment by Northwest Farm Credit Services highlights Ӱpro Sea Grant’s leadership in the development and delivery of workforce training for fishermen and fishing businesses that are so valuable to Ӱpro,” said Ginny Eckert, Ӱpro Sea Grant director. “We are grateful for this opportunity to partner with Northwest Farm Credit Services to support the businesses and communities we both serve.”
Ӱpro Sea Grant and its Marine Advisory Program offer technical assistance, education, applied research and other expertise to enhance and sustain healthy coastal economies, communities and ecosystems. is a partnership between UAF and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Gabe Dunham, Ӱpro Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program agent, gabe.dunham@alaska.edu, 907-842-8321.