Sitka Seafood Festival Kicks Off

Organizers of the Sitka Seafood Festival are planning a series of events from August 1 to 19 in celebration of wild Alaska seafood, with proceeds to fund efforts to help more young fishermen participate in commercial fisheries.

The festival, which began in 2009, has been adopted by the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust (ASFT), a Sitka-based nonprofit dedicated to strengthening fishing communities. The organization is hosting the 2017 festivities in partnership with the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association.

Willow Moore, ASFT’s executive director, says the festival celebrates the fishing culture and heritage that local economies depend on, and the unique ecosystems of Southeast Alaska that sustain local fish and families.

The festival lineup ranges from an evening of storytelling at a local restaurant to a film festival, lectures and tours on marine biology, fish skin sewing classes at the Sheldon Jackson Museum and culminate with a season’s end banquet at Sitka’s Centennial Hall.

Donations as well as volunteers to operate educational booths and games are still needed according to festival coordinator Emma Edson.

More about the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association’s Young Fishermen’s Initiative is online at http://www.alfafish.org/youngfishermen/