The United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA), the largest statewide commercial fishing industry trade association, representing 36 member organizations, announces the election of Mr. Jerry McCune of Cordova District Fishermen United as President. President McCune will be joined by Mr. Paul A. Shadura II of Kenai Peninsula Fishermen’s Association as Vice President, and Ms. Lindsey Bloom of Alaska Independent Fishermen’s Marketing Association, who will serve as the new Fish Farm & Environmental Committee Chair. In addition Bruce Wallace will hold the Past President seat on the Executive Committee. The three new Executive Committee members will complement existing Executive Committee members Kathy Hansen of Southeast Alaska Fishermen’s Alliance (Secretary/Treasurer), Duncan Fields of Cape Barnabas, Inc. (Administration Chair), Stephanie Madsen of At-sea Processors Association (National Chair), Brian Lynch of Petersburg Vessel Owners Association (Subsistence Chair), Mark Gleason of Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers and Kevin
Adams (co-Chairs PR/Membership), Bruce Schactler (Marketing Chair), and Gary Fandrei of Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (Enhancement Chair).
Also taking effect on June 15 are new at-large board representatives Clay Bezenek of Ketchikan and Victor Jones of Cordova. They join Kevin Adams, a Bristol Bay gillnetter who resides in Anchorage and Bruce Schactler a salmon and herring seiner of Kodiak, who were both re-elected to UFA at-large board seats. UFA’s four at-large board seats help represent the association’s 400 individual and lifetime members on the UFA Board.
“It is a privilege once again to be the UFA President. My concerns are access to the statewide fisheries, Board of Fish, and the Legislature. With our new Executive Committee and our new Executive Director, we can turn the corner to be a political powerhouse. I look forward to helping protect Alaska’s fishing families,” said incoming president McCune.