Alaska Longline Fisherman's Association Archives

Marine debris cleanup brings volunteers together from across state

by Meredith Redick | Sep 8, 2023 | Local News, Syndicated

Whether in Sitka Sound or the Bering Sea, a beach cleanup is a major undertaking. Recently, the Ocean Conservancy and the Sitka Sound Science Center took an unusual group of people on a beach cleanup near Sitka to wrap their hands around some marine debris -- and wrap their minds around what to do about it. Read More

Sitka’s Linda Behnken honored with national award for work on sustainable fisheries

by Erin McKinstry, KCAW | Oct 16, 2020 | Local News, Syndicated

The Heinz Family Foundation announced the winners of the twenty-fifth annual Heinz Awards on Tuesday (10-13-20), and the director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association was among them. Sitka’s Linda Behnken was one of five individuals honored with the prestigious award, which includes a $250,000 unrestricted cash prize, for her work as a sustainable fisheries advocate. Read More

Painting bright red salmon

by KCAW News | Jun 15, 2018 | The Morning Interview

Willow Moore, Aurora Lang, and Jessica Menges,talk about what people can expect at the interactive paint and sip event that's kicking off the Sitka Seafood Festival. Read More

SEASWAP: How to stop a whale of a thief

by KCAW News | Jul 31, 2015 | The Morning Interview

Linda Behnken, the Executive Director of the Alaska Longline Fisherman's Association was joined by Tori O'Connell, the Research Director of the Sitka Sound Science Center, to provide an update on SEASWAP (The Southeast Alaska Sperm Whale Avoidance Project). As O'Connell explains, the project just secured $311,000 in funding to continue research on a sperm whale avoidance network this fall. The avoidance network will tag whales in the Chatham Strait black cod fishery and give fisherman devices to communicate where the whales are located. Downloadable audio. Read More