April 13 & 14 were busy days for the United Salmon Association. Board and Steering Committee members from USA's three regional chapters spent two days planning for the future of the Association. It was an opportunity for representatives from different regions of the state to get together and line out their vision for the year to come.
The results were “excellent,” said USA/Copper River Salmon Producers Association board member Bill Webber. “The meetings gave everyone the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to a Statewide organization working for better markets for salmon fishermen. As we go into a year that promises to be a challenge for fishermen all over the state, we know that our voice will be loud and clear as we work toward healthy market situations for ALL Alaskan salmon fishermen.”
“USA has entered a new stage,” said Virginia Adams of USA/Kodiak. “In the past, USA has tried to walk a gentle line of diplomacy. But we have now decided that our organization must speak out loudly for its beliefs. We want serious examination of the marketing factors that are crippling our industry, and we'll make no bones about it.”
Herb Jensen of USA/Prince William Sound said the meeting confirmed his belief that USA is the best voice for salmon fishermen as they work to redefine their niche in the marketplace. “I've been with the Association since its inception, and the USA of today is stronger than it has ever been. Looking around me in those meetings I saw years of experience and knowledge, in all sorts of arenas. We have negotiators, we have folks with political knowledge and savvy, we have market and quality gurus. We have people with vision, who can picture a clear path toward a healthier market share, and thus healthier exvessel prices.”
USA President Bruce Schactler agreed. “Market concerns aren't something that people can ignore anymore,” Schactler said. “Many fishermen are looking at shocking changes in the way their industry works in the next few years. But we think that Alaska Salmon has everything it takes, from intrinsic health value to a romantic storyline, to be a highly desirable product in domestic and world markets. Now it's just a question of getting the infrastructure of the industry updated, and making sure that public policy is a help and not a hindrance.”
The meeting attendees identified one issue that will be tantamount to the success of Alaskan salmon markets into the future: Quality. Thea Thomas, a member of the Copper River Salmon Producers Association board, talked about the importance of quality to any successful marketing project. Thomas, who has worked intimately with a quality project currently in its third year in Copper River, told the assembled group that “quality standards should be of utmost importance to this organization, because they are of utmost importance to the future of the Alaskan salmon industry.”
The Association also buckled down to some bookkeeping. A budget committee was appointed, consisting of Bill Lindow, Thom Wischer, and staff person Erin Harrington.
The current Directors on the Statewide Board are
The Board also elected a new slate of officers. Officers in 2002 will be
Representing USA/Copper River Salmon Producers Association at the weekend meetings were Bill Webber, Bill Lindow, Thea Thomas, Doug Heimbuch, Bill Myers, and Bruce Robertson; representing USA/Kodiak were Thom Wischer, Virginia Adams, Ross Kendall and Matt Keplinger; representing USA/Prince William Sound were Herb Jensen, Steve Riedel, John Renner, Jack Hopkins and John Wiese. USA President Bruce Schactler was present, as was Barb Jensen from PWS, Erin Harrington from Kodiak, and Liz Senear on behalf of CRSPA.
Interested in the nitty gritty? Have a look at the meeting minutes.
For more information on the United Salmon Association, its Board of Directors, Regional Chapters, or Mission, contact Erin Harrington in the USA Office, 907-486-6899.
©1999 USA Kodiak kodiak@unitedsalmon.org