Saving Seafood

ALASKA: AFDF ANNOUNCES NEW CEO

November 29, 2023 — The following was released by Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation:

The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) proudly announces the appointment of Kristy Clement as Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to
fostering sustainable outcomes for Alaska’s economy, environment, and communities.

Kristy is an experienced and visionary leader, poised to guide AFDF into the future. Raised in the Village of Port Lions on Kodiak Island, she brings a profound respect for Alaska’s resource-rich waters and lands. Grounded in her culture and subsistence lifestyle, Kristy enjoys the tradition of harvesting and processing fish, shellfish, and berries with her family. Her deep-rooted connection to the industry began while listening to the voice of her grandmother, Peggy Dyson (aka WBH-29 Kodiak), renowned as the guiding voice of the North Pacific from 1965- 2000. This experience adds a rich layer of understanding and commitment to the sustainable development of Alaska’s maritime resources.

In Kristy’s vision for AFDF, she is steadfastly committed to honoring the WBH-29 Kodiak legacy and supporting Alaska’s maritime stakeholders in a new era. Recognizing the evolving landscape, she emphasizes the importance of collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking to navigate the challenges of the next 50 years.

“I am thrilled to join an organization that plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Alaska’s economy. I look forward to collaborating with the AFDF board and staff to ensure that Alaska’s blue economy is well-positioned for future growth. My goal is to create lasting value for all stakeholders through innovative strategies,” says Kristy, highlighting her commitment to leading AFDF into the future.

Kristy holds an BA in Organizational Management from Alaska Pacific University and an Executive MBA from the University of Washington, blending a dynamic educational background with proven leadership experience. Demonstrating a longstanding commitment to advancing the social and economic welfare in Alaska and Alaska Native communities, Kristy currently serves as the Chairperson of the Afognak Native Corporation Board of Directors. In this capacity, she has been instrumental in developing and executing strategies aimed at ensuring a sustainable future for the Corporation’s Shareholders and the broader Alaska Native community. Kristy’s diverse professional journey reflects her dedication to fostering positive change and making a lasting impact in the communities she serves.

“We are very excited to welcome Kristy Clement as AFDF’s Chief Executive Officer. Kristy brings adept leadership and strategic planning skills, which are essential to AFDF continuing as a leader in Alaska’s seafood industry. As AFDF enters its fifth decade of supporting and building Alaska’s blue economy, Kristy’s vision will guide AFDF into the future.” Markos Scheer, AFDF President.

Please join us in celebrating this exciting chapter as we welcome Kristy to the AFDF team. We look forward to an era of continued growth and success under her leadership, as we navigate the complex challenges of Alaska’s seafood industry and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Afognak Native Corporation, established under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) in Kodiak, Alaska, serves as an Alaska Native Corporation.

AFDF, founded in 1978 as a 501(c)3 under the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, is dedicated to identifying shared opportunities within the Alaska seafood industry. Its focus is on developing efficient, sustainable outcomes that contribute to the well-being of Alaska’s economy, environment, and communities.

 

ALASKA: Alaska Symphony of Seafood: Showcasing the Best of Alaska at Pacific Marine Expo

November 2, 2023 — The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) is set to take the Main Stage at the Pacific Marine Expo on November 9 from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. to celebrate the 30th year of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood. This annual competition is for commercial-ready, value-added products made with Alaska seafood. The Symphony presents an exciting platform that supports companies investing in product development that helps to further promote new products and competitively position Alaska seafood in national and global markets.

Peter Pan Seafood was deemed the 2023 Grand Prize Winner by creating a recipe of Wild Caught Alaska Salmon with Ribbon Kelp Chimichurri. Michael De Caro previously shared with National Fisherman about his process of creating the recipe.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

ALASKA: Alaska Symphony of Seafood names 2023 winners

February 27, 2023 — The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) announced the winners of its annual Alaska Symphony of Seafood event on 24 February.

The event, organized since 1994, pits new commercial-ready, value-added products made from Alaska seafood against each other in a competition the AFDF said is intended to promote the new products and encourage investment in product development. The first place winners of each category, and the grand prize winner of the contest, receive booth space at Seafood Expo North America – running from 12 to 14 March 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. – airfare to and from the show sponsored by Alaska Air Cargo, and entry into the SENA new products contest, the Seafood Excellence Awards.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Ocean Beauty, Seagrove Kelp, Alaskan Leader win Alaska Symphony of Seafood awards

November 22, 2021 — The Alaska Symphony of Seafood announced its 2021 winners at Pacific Marine Expo on Friday, 19 November in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation Executive Director Julie Decker was on hand to announce all winners in the competition, which was created to encourage more product development in Alaska’s seafood sector.

Read the full story from National Fisherman at SeafoodSource

Alaska Symphony of Seafood – Announcing Changes and Call for Product

August 31, 2021 — The following was released by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation:

After a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AFDF is proud to announce the 2021-22 Alaska Symphony of Seafood, including the Call for Product and exciting new changes to the event. The deadline for entry into this year’s competition is October 04, 2021. The Call for Product can be downloaded here.

Since 1994, AFDF has organized the “Symphony”, a competition for commercial-ready value‐added products made from Alaska seafood. The Symphony is an exciting platform that encourages companies to invest in product development, helps promote those new products and competitively positions Alaska seafood in national and global markets. Product development is critically important to the entire industry and the fishing communities that depend on it. Innovative new products position the industry to remain competitive and relevant to consumers.

Read the full release here

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation Aims To Expand Mariculture In The Aleutians

July 27, 2021 — Representatives from the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation visited Unalaska last week as part of its push to expand the state’s mariculture industry.

Gov. Bill Walker created the Alaska Mariculture Task Force in 2016. Since then, the organization has been focused on developing the state’s mariculture industry to meet its long-term goal of $100 million by 2038.

Mariculture refers specifically to farming and enhancing shellfish and seaweeds, and does not include farming finfish like salmon, which is illegal in Alaska. The state’s mariculture industry was valued at approximately $1 million in 2018.

Julie Decker, executive director of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, sees opportunities in the shorelines and beaches of the Aleutian coast.

“You have lots of water, so you have lots of space. Relatively little population which means relatively little conflict,” Decker said. “The people that do live here are used to working on the water. There’s North America’s largest processing port. These are some pretty significant assets.”

Read the full story at KUCB

Shellfish and seaweed mariculture is focus of new Alaska industry alliance

June 15, 2021 — Alaskans who are engaged in or interested in mariculture are invited to become founding members in a group that will advance the growing industry across the state.

The newly formed Alaska Mariculture Alliance (AMA) is a private, nonprofit successor to a five-year task force formed in 2016 by Gov. Bill Walker and re-authorized in 2018 by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The task force will sunset on June 30.

“One of the priority recommendations was to create a long-term entity that would coordinate and support development of a robust and sustainable mariculture industry to produce shellfish and aquatic plants for the long-term benefit of Alaska’s economy, environment and communities,” said Julie Decker, executive director of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, which administrated the task force and will do so for the AMA.

Decker clarified that Alaska mariculture encompasses farming of shellfish and aquatic plants and also includes enhancement and restoration projects.

There are 76 active aquatic farm and nursery permits in Alaska that when combined with 35 pending new applications, comprise 1,631 acres, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Some growers also are interested in sea cucumbers, geoduck clams and abalone.

Read the full story at the Anchorage Daily News

Invitation to join the Alaska Mariculture Alliance

June 8, 2021 — The following was released by the Alaska Mariculture Task Force:

The Alaska Mariculture Task Force (Task Force) is inviting all those engaged in mariculture in Alaska to join the newly-formed Alaska Mariculture Alliance (AMA). The AMA is a private non-profit organization to be initiated in June 2021 with a mission to “develop and support a robust and sustainable mariculture industry, producing shellfish and aquatic plants for the long-term benefit of Alaska’s economy, environment and communities.”

The AMA is the successor organization to the Task Force and will help shape and coordinate the bourgeoning mariculture industry in Alaska. The Task Force, formed in 2016 by Governor Walker and re-authorized in 2018 with support by Governor Dunleavy, will sunset June 30, 2021. Work completed by the Task Force was guided by the Alaska Mariculture Development Plan (brief version here) and the Five-Year Action Plan. The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) facilitated the administrative role for the Task Force, and will continue to do so for the AMA.

“On behalf of the Task Force, we want to invite all those who are involved in or want to develop mariculture to consider being a Founding Member of the AMA, and to help shape the future of mariculture in Alaska,” Heather McCarty, Chair, Task Force. The application for Founding Membership should be returned by June 23, 2021. The Task Force will meet June 25 to accept applications for AMA membership and stand up the new organization.

Read the full release here

Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation cancels this spring’s Symphony of Seafood events

April 12, 2021 — The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) is cancelling the rescheduled Symphony of Seafood events planned for this spring due to “ongoing health and safety concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the organization said in a press release.

Preparation efforts for the next installment of the event are planned to resume later this year, with the call for product to be released in August 2021.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Alaska Symphony of Seafood – 2020/2021 Events Cancelled

April 9, 2021 — The following was released by the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation:

The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF), organizer of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood (Symphony), announces the cancellation of the rescheduled Symphony events planned for Spring 2021 due to ongoing health and safety concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual Symphony event is planned to resume with the Call for Product to be released in August 2021.

The Symphony is an exciting platform that encourages companies to invest in product development, helps promote those new products and competitively positions Alaska Seafood in national and global markets. Product development is critically important to the Alaska Seafood industry. Innovative new products enable the industry to remain competitive and relevant to consumers.

Before making the decision to cancel the Symphony events, AFDF polled industry partners and participants, and the results were clear that COVID-19 has hindered the industry’s ability to produce new value-added products or participate in large events. Without healthy participation by industry, the benefits of an in-person or virtual event are limited. Additionally, Diversified Communications recently announced the cancellation of the 2021 Seafood Expo North America (SENA), originally rescheduled for July 11-13 in Boston. SENA is the central event at which AFDF promotes the winning products of the Symphony each year. AFDF will continue to feature Symphony winners at SENA, including entrance in the Seafood Excellence Awards, when the in-person SENA resumes in March 2022.

AFDF will continue to monitor the COVID-19 health crisis and will provide updates to industry and partners on the 2021-2022 competition and events. Additionally, AFDF will explore exciting new opportunities throughout the year to promote past Symphony winners, as a part of the effort to expand the reach and positive impact of the annual competition.

Thank You to Sponsors
AFDF would like to recognize and thank our sponsors from last year. Major sponsors include Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, Lineage Logistics, Trident Seafoods, Marine Stewardship Council, Northwest Fisheries Association, Alaska Air Cargo, At-Sea Processors Association and the United Fishermen of Alaska. See here for a complete list of sponsors.

About the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation
Founded in 1978, AFDF is dedicated to identifying common opportunities in the Alaska seafood industry and developing efficient, sustainable outcomes that provide benefits to the economy, environment and communities. For more information, visit www.afdf.org.