Fishing boats in the Haines small boat harbor. (Jillian Rogers)
A new gillnetters association is forming in Upper Lynn Canal. Ryan Cook is President of the Northern Southeast Gillnetters Association which he says was organized in response to area fishermen not feeling represented by the United Southeast Alaska Gillnetter Association.
“They’re making deals for everybody from Haines all the way to Ketchikan. We felt that we needed better representation up here and so we’re starting this Northern Southeast Alaska Gillnetters Association,” said Cook.
Cook says the group began organizing after this past Board of Fish meeting where area gillnetters felt their needs were ignored. He says the new group will hopefully change that.
“We’re doing a 501(C)(6) so we can do lobbying and everything too and hopefully just get our voice heard in all the other groups,” said Cook. “We’re targeting Haines, Skagway, Juneau, Angoon, Hoonah, Gustavus, and Sitka.”
Those interested in learning more about Northern Southeast Gillnetters Association can find them on Facebook. Cook says the group has met twice so far, has an elected board in place, and plans a membership drive soon.
