The board welcomes your ideas for strengthening the Bristol Bay fishery and improving the BBRSDA. Email them anytime, at board@bbrsda.com.
Fritz Johnson - President
F/V Jazz
Seat C (Alaska Resident) – Term ends 2026
Dillingham, Alaska
Committees: Marketing, Sustainability, Governance
Fritz Johnson has fished Bristol Bay for 28 years, and says that he is “as enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead as the day I got into this business.” In addition to his off-season staff work for the Bristol Bay Economic Development Commission, Fritz has worked in both public relations and publishing. He brings a strong commitment to accountability, frugality and transparency to his work on the board.
Erick Sabo - Vice President
F/V Insanity
Seat D (Non-Alaska Resident) - Term ends 2025
Goodyear, AZ
Committees: Finance, Sustainability, Outreach (chair)
Erick’s Bristol Bay career started in 1980. For 14 years as a deckhand, he witnessed two major strikes and saw permit values rise to extraordinary values. Fishing income helped pay Erick’s way through the University of Washington, (Foster School of Business, marketing and international finance), and Seattle University Law School (focus on admiralty, ocean and environmental law).
Doug Morgan - Secretary & Treasurer
F/V Miss Emma
Seat A (Alaska Resident) – Term ends 2025
Anchorage, Alaska
Committees: Finance, Quality, Governance
Doug is a second-generation Bristol Bay fisherman and currently has the privilege of having the third-generation fishing with him. He was raised in this industry with his first few years spent as a set-netter on the South Naknek Beach, with the remainder being as a drifter.
Matt DeWitte
F/V Ruthless
Seat E (Non-Alaska Resident) - Term ends 2024
Whitefish, Montana
Committees: Marketing, Sustainability, Finance
Matt DeWitte's journey into fishing began on the F/V Matchpoint during high school, igniting a lasting passion. With a decade of experience on unlimited tonnage vessels as a deck officer, he possesses a strong maritime background. Matt values personal connections and is dedicated to making a positive impact, even in challenging markets. His primary goal is to leverage his fishing experience and industry knowledge to effectively contribute as a member of the BBRSDA board, fostering collaboration and innovation within the industry.
Peter Andrew
F/V Luckybear
Seat B (Alaska Resident) - Term ends 2024
Dillingham, Alaska
Committees: Outreach, Marketing
Peter has fished commercially for 51 seasons and was a BBRSDA board member in the past. Peter also currently serves on the boards of Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC) which owns roughly 200 companies worldwide; and the Nushagak Electric and Telephone Cooperative providing connectivity to rural communities in Bristol Bay.
Mark Niver
F/V Surrender
Seat F (Open Residency) - Term ends 2026
Wasilla, Alaska
Committees: Sustainability (chair), Quality, Outreach
Mark Niver began his career in Bristol Bay while still in high school, working in a Togiak cannery, then fishing with his brothers on the F/V Arctic Tern beginning in 1980. Now he fishes with his sons on-board F/V Surrender. Mark sought a BBRSDA board seat to be part of keeping the fishery sustainable, viable, and profitable. He has actively fought against the Pebble Mine since 2006, alongside the late Bob Gillam, and has testified before Congress on the pitfalls of the Pebble Mine.
Franz Schonberg
F/V Myrna Mae
Seat G (Open Residency) – Term ends 2025
Petersburg, Alaska
phone: 360.536.0934
Committees: Marketing (chair), Finance, Quality
Franz comes from a multi-generational family of commercial fishermen and has a vested interest in preserving our fishery. His father started teaching him the art of fishing when he was 13 years old and he plans to do the same with his future children so he can teach them how to work. Ten years after his first season he bought a starter boat and has since upgraded to the Myrna Mae in 2020.
