ComFish Forums Tuesday through Thursday
Tuesday 9:45 am – 3:45 4pm | Wednesday 9:45 am – 3:45pm | Thursday 9:45 am – 1:15pm | Harbor Room, Best Western, Kodiak Inn
Fisherman’s Showcase Thursday Afternoon
Thursday 1:30 pm | In front of the Harbormaster Building on Marine Way
TUESDAY FORUM SCHEDULE
YouTube Live Stream Link: https://youtube.com/live/60jB8OVAkic?feature=share
Ports & Harbors Update
Presenters: Dave Johnson Ports & Harbors Director
9:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Wednesday, April 16th
Kodiak Ports & Harbors Project Update Zoom Meeting Link:
Watch Session Here:
Federal Legislative Update
Presenters: Senator Dan Sullivan
10:45AM – 11:30 AM
Tuesday, April 15th
Senator Dan Sullivan will give a Federal Legislative Update via zoom with time for questions.
Federal Legislative Update
Lunch Catered by Nuniaq: 11:45 AM- 12:15 PM
Presenters: Senator Lisa Murkowski 12:15PM – 1:00PM
Tuesday, April 15th
Senator Lisa Murkowski will give a Federal Legislative Update in person at the Harbor Room.
Watch Session Here:
Alaska Seafood Marketing Updates and International Focus
Presenters: Greg Smith Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute & Sam Friedman McKinley Research Group
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Tuessday, April 15th
Join the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and the McKinley Research Group for a marketing update on Alaska seafood. Learn about where your catch is going, how global factors create challenges and opportunities for Alaska seafood, and what ASMI is doing to increase value of the Alaska seafood resource.
Watch Session Here:
Ocean Plastics Recovery Project
Presenter: Andy Schroeder, Co Founder Ocean Plastics Recovery Project
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Tuesday, April 15th
This presentation is an update on recent activities at Ocean Plastic Recovery Projects including establishing Kayak Island as a long-term marine debris removal and monitoring site, and the development of the Innovation Center, a purpose-built facility for recycling marine debris, in their home city of Kodiak.
Zoom Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89359734217?pwd=U39QAjp1SVpgCC85GY3fwTCWl91alx.1
Meeting ID: 893 5973 4217
Passcode: 997926
Project Gabe for Commercial Fishermen & Women
Presenter:
Denise Damewood, RN, BSN, MAR, Founder Project Gabe– “Opioid misuse awareness, education, overdose antagonist & harm reduction tools for industrial workforces with a focus on the commercial fishing industry.” Nurse consultant with the State of Alaska Department of Health, Public Health & Alaska Marine Safety Education Association: AMSEA.
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Tuesday, April 15th
Providing opioid misuse awareness, education, and recovery tools to create a healthy workplace for commercial fishing workers in a manner that is accessible, easy to understand and easy to implement. Learn the symptoms of opioid overdose and receive opioid reversal nasal spray training. Take part in Project Gabe by making sure your boat has opioid emergency equipment. Sign up for Free NARCAN and medication deactivation disposal bags.
Watch Session Here:
ASMI Fisherman’s Town Hall Meeting at Double Shovel Cidery
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday, April 15th
All commercial fishermen and seafood industry members are invited to this ASMI town hall. Enjoy a drink and some light food, get some SWAG, see new ASMI resources, and hear about current seafood market conditions and what ASMI is doing to help.
WEDNESDAY FORUM SCHEDULE
NOAA – 2025 Fisheries Priorities
Presenters: Dr. Bob Foy
9:45AM – 10:30 AM
Wednesday, April 16th
Robert (Bob) Foy is the Science and Research Director of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Bob joined NOAA Fisheries in 2007 as the Director of the Center’s Kodiak Laboratory and Program Manager for the Shellfish Assessment Program. He led the program on assessment, biological, and ecological research of commercial crab species in Alaska. Bob earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan, a Master in Science in Fisheries and Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Alaska.
Watch Session Here:
NOAA – Survey Modernization
Presenters: Dr. Bob Foy
10:45 AM – 11:30AM
Wednesday, April 16th
Robert (Bob) Foy is the Science and Research Director of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Bob joined NOAA Fisheries in 2007 as the Director of the Center’s Kodiak Laboratory and Program Manager for the Shellfish Assessment Program. He led the program on assessment, biological, and ecological research of commercial crab species in Alaska. Bob earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan, a Master in Science in Fisheries and Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Alaska.
Watch Session Here:
Federal Legislative Update
Lunch Catered by Nuniaq: 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Presenters: Congressman Nick Begich 12:15PM – 1:00PM
Wednesday, April 16th
Congressman Begich will give a Federal Legislative Update in person at the Harbor Room.
Watch Session Here:
State of Alaska Fish & Game Update
Presenters: ADF&G Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Wednesday, April 16th
Update from the State of Alaska Fish & Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang.
Watch Session Here:
“Navigating the Future: Collaborative Research and Innovation with the Skipper Science Partnership”
Presenter: Heather Bauscher
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Tuesday, April 15th
We will be diving into what the Skipper Science Partnership is, how fishermen’s observations and research work together, share updates on recent accomplishments and milestones, our current project with the National Weather Service on freezing spray guidance and what’s ahead for the 2025 summer fishing season.
Watch Session Here:
THURSDAY FORUM SCHEDULE
2025 Mariculture Panel Update
Presenters:
- Nick Mangini, Maricultural Director, Kodiak fisherman and kelp farmer
- Jason Lessard, Alaska Mariculture Alliance
- Melissa Good, Alaska Sea Grant
- Lexa Meyer , Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute
9:45 AM – 10:30 AM Thursday, April 17th
Mariculture Panel Update with time for Q&A.
Watch Session Here:
“What’s going on with Bering Sea Crab Fisheries?”
Presenters: Dr. Mike Litzow, Program Manager, Kodiak Laboratory Director
10:45AM – 11:30AM
Thursday, April 17th
Update from Dr. Mike Litzow.
Watch Session Here:
Thursday State Senate Legislative Update
Presenters: Senator Gary Stevens & Representative Louise Stutes
Special Lunch Catered By Nuniaq 11:45 AM – 12:15PM
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Thursday, April 17th
State of Alaska Legislative Update from Senator Gary Stevens.
Watch Session Here:
1:30 PM-4:00 PM
Title-Fisherman’s Showcase and Reception
Hosted by the Alaska Sea Grant with support from Kodiak fishermen
Location: Fisherman’s Hall at the Harbormaster Building
Food and drink will be available inside Fishermen’s Hall throughout the event.
Competition from 1:30- 2:30pm
Pre-registration is encouraged. Sign-up in person at the Alaska Sea Grant Booth (#29) or show up at the Showcase. Sign up in groups of three to compete with your crewmates or friends.