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Regional Seafood Development Associations
State of Alaska > Commerce > DED > Fisheries Development   > Regional Seafood Development Associations
 

Application Development Period

The Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development regulations pertaining to the Department’s role in qualifying regional seafood development associations (RSDA) became effective on February 24, 2005. The Department may receive applications by organizations wishing to qualify as a RSDA. RSDAs, once formed, will have the ability to hold elections among fishing permit categories, to establish a tax on fish harvests for marketing, infrastructure, and other economic development efforts.

Any person or parties interested in applying as an RSDA is encouraged to provide written notice addressing several items.

When providing written notice, an organization will describe its:

  1. Proposed mission statement
  1. Proposed management structure
  1. Proposed economic development goals and strategies
  1. Plan to involve all eligible commercial fishing permit holders from fisheries in each seafood development region for which the association seeks designation as a qualified regional seafood development associations
  1. Mechanisms to administer state financial assistance fairly
  1. Attempts to gain support from commercial fishing permit holders from fisheries in each seafood development region for which the organization seeks designation as a qualified regional seafood development association.

Each organization submitting written notice must also do so electronically. Notice must be no more than five (5) pages, not including attachments.

Regional Seafood Development Association Application Guide

RSDA Regulations 3 AAC 149 (effective February 24, 2005)

Proposed Regulations for 3 AAC 148

Statutes for Regional Seafood Development Associations

The Department will meet with each organization that submits written notice of intent to apply for a regional seafood development association (3 AAC 149.020). To review submissions from approved RSDAs please contact Kevin O’Sullivan.

Regions

Prince William Sound
Information:
Copper River/Prince William Sound Marketing Association, was the first RSDA to be approved on May 26, 2005. All PWS Drift permit holders are assessment paying members. Programs focus on quality improvements, and marketing and brand development.
Contact:
Beth Poole, Executive Director
(907) 424-3459
 
Bristol Bay
Information:
In June 2005, a group of Bristol Bay fishermen filed an application to establish a RSDA for the Bristol Bay region. The state of Alaska approved the application, creating Alaska's second RSDA. In May 2006, Bristol Bay driftnet permit holders voted to approve a 1% assessment on their harvests to support the BB-RSDA. The BB-RSDA greatly expands the role and the responsibility of fishermen in their fishery, helping generate higher fish prices by improving quality, infrastructure and market demand.
Contact:
Robert Heyano, President
(907) 770-6339
Subject:
   
Southeast
Information:
Southeast Alaska Rainforest WILD began in 2005 when Southeast salmon drift gillnet fishermen filed an application with the State of Alaska to establish an RSDA for the Southeast/Yakutat region.  The state approved the application on November 16, 2005, making Southeast Alaska Rainforest WILD Alaska's third RSDA.
Contact:
 
Alaska Peninsula / Aleutians
Information:
On June 6, 2008, the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian RSDA was approved to proceed to establish itself as the RSDA for the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutians through the Aleutia entity.
Contact:
(907) 383-5909
 
 
Cook Inlet
Written notice:
None Received
Summary from Meetings with Respondents:
Other Information:
 
Kodiak
Written notice:
None Received
Summary from Meetings with Respondents:
Other Information:
 
Chignik
Written notice:
None Received
Summary from Meetings with Respondents:
Other Information:
 
Atka / Amlia Island
Written notice:
None Received
Summary from Meetings with Respondents:
Other Information:
 
Kuskokwim
Written notice:
None Received
Summary from Meetings with Respondents:
Other Information:
 
Norton Sound
Written notice:
None Received
Summary from Meetings with Respondents:
Other Information:
 
Yukon / Kotzebue
Written notice:
None Received
Summary from Meetings with Respondents:
Other Information: