The nominations are in! Four Bristol Bay fishermen have put themselves forward as candidates in our current election cycle. Below you will find candidate statements, photos and contact information. In addition to these statements, each candidate has been provided a short questionnaire meant to provide them with an opportunity to tell members a bit more about their desire to serve on the board and what they feel are top priorities for the BBRSDA. Candidates have until close of business on March 1 to return these to the Executive Director, and they will be posted to the website on or before March 2. Stay tuned for more election updates!

Seat A – Alaska Resident: One Candidate

Mike Friccero

Members:

My name is Michael Friccero and I am a long term resident of Kodiak, I have been fishing Bristol Bay as a Permit Holder/Captain for 35 years. My BBRSDA qualifications include nine years of Board service in Kodiak. I have had formal Board training from the Foraker Group. I have a thorough understanding of the Board process.

I currently serve the BBRSDA as an Ex-Officio Board and Marketing Committee member. I have helped reshape the goals of our organization, while building good relations and mutual respect with all board members currently serving. All current and exiting board members have signed my nomination petition or have expressed direct support for my candidacy for Seat A. The BBRSDA has made an investment in my training. I intend to serve the membership effectively by promoting regional branding, marketing projects, and quality initiatives as top priorities for action. I will strive to maximize value as these projects evolve. I believe that this organization should be flexible and proactive in its response to sustainability, tower count funding, Port Moller Test fisheries and other concerns. I support increased member communications, outreach and transparency as we execute the projects we have currently funded.

The BBRSDA will serve as an effective tool to represent the interests of the stakeholders as we move forward. I consider it a privilege to serve this organization, and I would appreciate your support. Please consider me as the most qualified candidate to serve the BBRSDA-Seat A.

Respectfully,
Michael Friccero, F/V Miss Gina
PO Box 2187
Kodiak, AK 99615
cell: (907) 539-1320
home: (907) 486-5942
fax: (907) 486-3909
mike.clarion@ak.net

Seat D – Non-Alaska Resident: One Candidate

Lange Solberg

My name is Lange Solberg, and I am running as the incumbent for Seat D.

I have spent a little over a year on the BBRSDA Board of Directors as an appointed member. At 28 years old, I am a third-generation Bristol Bay fisherman who firmly believes that we catch and distribute the finest sockeye salmon in the world.

I recently reinvested in the fishery. I’m deeply concerned with our current state of affairs regarding the profitability of our businesses. History may be cyclical, but Bristol Bay’s future should be positively linear. On the flying bridge, we constantly are deciding when it’s time to “throw the ball.” That time, for aggressively marketing Bristol Bay, is now.

Your BBRSDA needs to exemplify what the Alaska legislature intended for RSDAs to do-brand and sensationalize our quality sockeye salmon. And we have already begun.

Your BBRSDA also needs to continue running an “open house,” reaching back to the fleet, encouraging idea sharing, and embodying transparency. I am proud to have fueled that movement when I first came on the board as an appointed member in the winter of 2015. Now, the BBRSDA is more robust in its membership outreach than it ever has been since inception. That trend needs to continue in order to keep the fleet informed and aware of the board’s business on its behalf.

I’m young, energetic, and passionate about our fishery. Please vote. Let’s continue charting our course for the future of the fishery the world needs most.

Lange T. Solberg
2517 Iron Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-739-8060
langesolberg@gmall.com
F/V Odie II

Seat G – Open Residency: Two Candidates

Connor Smith

This will be my 11th summer fishing in Bristol Bay, my first summer being at the age of 12. I bought a boat and permit three years ago, and I’m the fourth generation of my family to captain a boat in Bristol Bay. My great grandfather moved his family up to Alaska in 1936 and spent his first winter in a wall tent on his property that overlooks the Nushagak River. I spent my childhood waiting to be old enough to go fishing with my family, and it is an experience that has in so many ways shaped me into the person I am today.

I am running for the BBRSDA board because I care deeply for Bristol Bay – the community and the fishery. I am young, only 24 years old in fact, and I realize that I only know so much. However, I am part of a new generation of fishermen and fisherwomen who need to involve themselves in the future of our fishery. This means both working for better quality and staying vigilant as ventures like the Pebble Partnership threaten Bristol Bay. I am an Alaskan resident, but am currently attending law school in Seattle. I plan to have a voice in the future of our fishery, and I would like to contribute my time and resources towards helping how I can with the BBRSDA board. I would appreciate your vote, and if you have any specific questions I can answer, please do not hesitate to ask.

Connor R. Smith
505 13th Ave, Apt #9
Seattle, Washington 98122
907-299-2340

Anthony “Tony” Wood

I, Anthony Wood Permit# S03T61916Q am seeking to be elected to Seat G on the BBRSDA Board for 2016.

I began commercial fishing in 2003 with the intent to Direct Market all of my catch. Over the past 12 years I have been able to successfully catch, process and direct market my fish to avoid exposure to the extreme fluctuations in Bristol Bay grounds prices. My attention to quality control on the vessel and through my processing plant along with marketing strategies has allowed me to achieve my complete independence from the big processors in Bristol Bay.

I would now like to share my vast knowledge and experience to help increase the value of all Bristol Bay Sockeye being marketed both domestic and international. Consistent quality of Bristol Bay salmon is by far the biggest problem affecting the grounds prices in Bristol Bay. I would like to continue to improve the overall quality of fish coming from Bristol Bay and focus on better marketing strategies. If elected the following will be my focus while on the board

Higher incentives for fishermen who deliver quality fish
Develop focused marketing and branding of “quality” Bristol Bay salmon
Develop promotional materials to educate consumers on the vast differences between farm raised salmon and Wild Bristol Bay Sockeye

Thanks for your support and hope for the opportunity to serve all Bristol Bay Drift fishermen.

Anthony “Tony” Wood
PO Box 602
King Salmon, AK 99613
PH: 907-246-7883
Email: tony@wildalaskasalmonandseafood.com
F/V: OLY