Seafood has been good to Alaska, and those in the industry want to spread the wealth to those who need it.
The Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission, or AFIRM, has generated a substantial donation to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
AFIRM Chairman Larry Cotter said they already have $300,000 in hand and commitments for more that will pull in at least another $100,000. Donations have been rolling in from fishing vessel owners, seafood processors, employees and other businesses associated with the seafood industry.
Cotter explained how AFIRM was formed after Hurricane Katrina when members of the seafood industry decided to raise money to help. He said the organization slowed but stayed alive afterward and is now reactivated in the wake of Japan’s disaster.
“We’re incredibly blessed in Alaska that the seafood industry is profitable and key to the stability of coastal Alaska, so when we see a tragedy occur as in Katrina we feel it could be our turn someday, and we should do what we can do to help those in need.”
Cotter said AFIRM will make a decision on where to distribute the money to Japan “as the months move forward and we see where we can accomplish the greatest good.” He said things are still very confused there so the decision where to send it may more time.
He said the mission is in touch with Japanese harvesting groups and the country’s seafood industry, as well as government officials and the Japanese Embassy to help decide how to put the funds to the best use.
“We’ll make that decision in conjunction with those who contribute as well. It will be a collective decision,” he said, adding, “Our intent is to use it in a very meaningful fashion.”
AFIRM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit so contributions are tax deductible.
Cotter added 100 percent of contributions go directly to the cause. None go to overhead or administration costs.
Donation information can be found on its website www.akjapanhelp.org.
AFIRM isn’t alone in collecting for Japan. A press release states Trident Seafoods has raised more than $250,000 in food donations, Silver Bay Seafoods donated $150,000 to a seafood industry fund organized by the Japan seafood industry publication Minato Shimbun and American Seafoods forwarded $26,000 to the Red Cross and will be donating $26,000 to AFIRM.
“Other noteworthy donations include $20,000 from APICDA, $5,000 from Tatoosh Seafoods, $5,000 from Northwest Farm Service Creditors and over 100 individual vessels or skippers with donations from $500 to $10,000 each,” AFIRM Secretary-Treasurer Mark Vinsel stated in the release.
Vinsel also stated the Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers Association has collected more than $70,000 in individual donations from its vessel owners, Unisea got $79,000 in donations from its crab and pollock vessels, fishing vessels from Kodiak have donated $13,000 so far, Glacier Fish Company matched its employees’ donations to raise an additional $26,000, Aleutian Spray Fisheries has contributed $20,000 on behalf of its fleet and Clipper Seafoods is leading an ongoing employee and longline catcher-processor fleet fund drive.
“The support of the entire industry is really amazing,” states Vinsel.
AFIRM is planning more fundraising events in Seattle and Alaska fishing communities in the early fall.
“We’re really just getting started,” said Cotter.
• Contact reporter Jonathan Grass at 523-2276 or at jonathan.grass@juneauempire.com.
