113 



Given the lack of competition and the traditionally low value of Kuskokwim River 

 salmon, CVFC joined with corporate partner Golden Age Fisheries to establish a 

 salmon processing operation in Bethel, servicing eight CVFC villages as well as ten 

 other area communities. Providing competition in the region has resulted in salmon 

 prices at least thirty percent higher than would have occurred without a second 

 major buyer on the river. 



CVFC and Golden Age created an internship program where CVFC residents are 

 eligible to obtain advanced skills in seafood company operations. Four internships 

 have been completed and another seven are scheduled for the remainder of the year. 



CVFC and Golden Age are contributing a portion of their profits to a scholarship 

 fund for CVFC residents to obtain higher education and vocational training. This 



firogram will benefit the individuals who will lead the company in the future. The 

 irst scholarships will be awarded in August. 



CVFC and Golden Age have formed a partnership to own and operate the factory 

 trawler Browns Point. This vessel was refurbished with state-of-the-art equipment 

 which not only can efficiently harvest and process pollock, but also can produce 

 value-added products such as pink salmon blocks. The product will not only benefit 

 the CVFC region, but other areas of Alaska as well where pink salmon are har- 

 vested in abundance. 



NORTON SOUND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 



The Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation successfully managed fish- 

 ing operations during the 1993 CDQ pollock "B" season, harvesting over 13,000 met- 

 ric tons of pollock. 



NSEDC purchased and distributed over $250,000 worth of herring and salmon 

 gear and related equipment to 118 fishermen. Fishermen will repay these loans over 

 two years from the proceeds of increased fishing revenues. Thirty-three individuals 

 obtained jobs hanging fishing gear and preparing brailer bags, generating 1,346.5 

 hours of work in an area with high unemployment. 



In cooperation with corporate partner Glacier Fish Company, over 1,000 tons of 

 herring were purchased from 105 local herring fishermen and over 740,000 pounds 

 of all salmon species were purchased from 90 local salmon fishermen, opening up 

 new markets for traditional species. 



Twenty Bering Strait region residents recently went to work on onboard Glacier's 

 factory trawlers, supplementing previously employed workers. Ten residents re- 

 cently completed training in entry level fisheries skills at the Alaska Vocational 

 Technical Education Center. 



NSEDC will provide funding for ice delivery systems, buying station facilities and 

 revitalized fish processing plants in four communities. NSEDC finalized an agree- 

 ment with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for a salmon rehabilitation and 

 enhancement program. A revolving loan program for local fishermen was estab- 

 lished and put into operation. 



ALEUTIAN PRIBILOF ISLAND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION 



Though not a member of WAFDA, the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Devel- 

 opment Association asked me to provide you with information about its program. 



APICDA's partners are the Trident Seafoods Corporation, one of Alaska's largest 

 shoreside processing companies, and the Starbouna Partnership, a factory trawler 

 company operating the F/T Starbound. Both Trident and Starbound are 100 percent 

 American owned. 



APICDA has focused primarily on three areas: Training, education, and employ- 

 ment; infrastructure development; and equity acquisition. 



Since APICDA was formed, 45 residents have secured employment directly related 

 to APICDA's activities, generating approximately $150,000 worth of new incomes in 

 local communities. APICDA is developing a comprehensive training program that 

 combines vocational education with on-the-job training at Trident/Starbound facili- 

 ties. An intern/mentor program is being developed. 



The APICDA communities are located immediately adjacent to the main fishing 

 grounds. Ironically, none of the communities have sufficient port and harbor facili- 

 ties to allow community residents to participate in the industry. The proximity to 

 the fishing grounds and proper infrastructure development will provide the existing 

 industry with the opportunity to utilize new facilities closer to the grounds than cur- 

 rent facilities. This will foster the development of local fishing-related businesses 

 and activities, and provide local residents with the opportunity to participate in and 

 profit from the seafood industry. 



During 1992, APICDA will spend approximately $2.2 million on infrastructure re- 

 lated projects, including matching funds to complete the Zapadni Bay harbor on St. 



