AK Fishing Industry Relief Mission
Alaska's Fishing Industry Working to Rebuild the Gulf Fishing Industry Post-Hurricane Katrina
Alaska commercial fishermen have joined forces to help fishing industry families impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
The commercial fishing industry in Louisiana was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Alaska's Senator Lisa Murkowski helped found a group called AFIRM to bring Alaska fishermen directly together with Louisana fishermen to provide relief for fishing families impacted by hurricane Katrina. Mark Vinsel, chairman of Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission (AFIRM) and Executive Director of United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA) says, "As an industry we are one of the most competitive around, but there is an unspoken code among fishermen that when ever one of us is in need, it's everyone's responsibility to help."
Members of AFIRM include fishing industry leaders such as Crowley Maritime, Lynden Transport, Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Trident Seafoods, Southern Shrimp Alliance, and the Ponchartrain Fishermen's Association. One of the first project's benefiting Louisana fishermen by AFIRM was the shipping of a 60-ton Marine Travelift.
AFIRM facilitated the transportation of a surplus 60-ton Marine Travelift donated by the City of Valdez to Plaquemines Parish for use in Empire, Louisiana. AFIRM stepped up to donate $20,000 to ship the boat lift from Alaska to Louisiana. Fishermen in Louisiana were in dire need of a boat lift to put their boats back in the water and help put their families back to work.
AFIRM is a 100% volunteer, 501(c)(3) qualified non-profit organization chartered in the State of the Alaska. AFIRM is seeking donations from fishermen, processors, and other fishing industry participants that recognize the importance of a healthy and unified domestic U.S. seafood industry. For more information, see the AFIRM website at www.akgulfhelp.org
