Workshop Information
North Aleutian Basin Energy-Fisheries Workshop
Anchorage Marriott Downtown Hotel
Anchorage, Alaska, USA
March 18–19, 2008
- Introduction
- Mission
- Goals of the Energy-Fisheries Initiative
- Topics
- Participants
- Program
- Proceedings
- Location
- Registration information
- Planning committee
- Workshop contact information
Introduction
The North Aleutian Basin Planning Area, as defined by the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS), is a large geographic area with significant ecological and natural resources. The basin consists of most of the southeastern part of the Bering Sea continental shelf, and includes all of Bristol Bay. The region's potential for oil and nearly nine trillion cubic feet of natural gas makes the basin particularly attractive for exploration.
The North Aleutian Basin, the nearby Bering Sea, and the 1,500-mile-long Aleutian Island archipelago contain some of the nation's richest and most revered crab, pollock, cod, halibut, and salmon fisheries, marine mammal and seabird habitat, and stunning natural beauty. The region also is considered essential habitat for endangered species including the North Pacific right whale and Steller sea lion. The abundant natural fisheries resources are the foundation of the region's commercial and subsistence economies and are integral to the fabric and lifestyle of its people and communities.
The juxtaposition of energy resources and bountiful fisheries and wildlife resources makes communication and collaboration between energy interests and regional stakeholders critical. In 2007, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Norway's Bodø University, and the NOAA Alaska Sea Grant Program joined to establish a forum aimed at fostering collaboration and understanding between energy interests and region stakeholders, including fishing groups and seafood processors, Native organizations, community leaders, environmentalists, and conservationists.
The North Aleutian Basin Energy-Fisheries Initiative is led by a 23-member steering committee that includes major stakeholder representatives from the North Aleutian Basin region, including the fishing industry, Alaska Native groups, community leaders, environmentalists, and Royal Dutch Shell. The NOAA Alaska Sea Grant program is taking a leadership role in facilitating the initiative. The steering committee met in Anchorage in October 2007 and communicates regularly.
Mission
To create a forum for open dialogue based on mutual respect between fisheries stakeholders of the North Aleutian Basin and the energy industry, through which all can gain a shared understanding of the issues and concerns of the region, and participate in the region's long-term conservation and wise use.
Goals of the Energy-Fisheries Initiative
- Improve fisheries stakeholder understanding of oil and gas exploration and development plans.
- Improve oil-gas industry understanding and appreciation for regional values, lifestyle.
- Create an atmosphere of shared responsibility for the region among all stakeholders.
- Improve exchange of information between and among regional stakeholders.
- Identify and address gaps in research, information, and education.
- Improve public discourse and policy decision-making.
- Create a lasting mechanism through which these goals can be advanced over time.
Topics
- Oil development permitting and sale process
- Oil & gas development scenario in the North Aleutian Basin
- How North Aleutian Basin fisheries are carried out
- Oil & gas impact on environment, communities, and Native subsistence
- Concerns posed by the fishing industry
- Energy-fisheries coexistence in Norway, Canada, and Cook Inlet
- Decision analysis
Participants
- Coastal community leaders and residents
- Energy and fishing industry representatives
- Environmental groups
- Native organizations
- Experts in oil & gas development and community development
- Fishery management specialists
- Leaders in fisheries-oil coexistence
- Public
Program
This two-day workshop is free and open to the public. The first morning will start with invited speaker presentations, followed by panel discussions in the afternoon. The second morning will begin as a videoconference with Norway on their perspectives on energy-fisheries coexistence. A number of panel discussions will follow. Public input is especially encouraged during the question-and-answer sessions on both days. In the late afternoon of the second day, there will be a discussion of future workshops and follow-up information. To assist in planning for future workshops and community meetings, attendees will be asked to list and vote on the most important topics not covered in this workshop. For details, see the workshop agenda.
Proceedings
A 100-page summary proceedings book will be published by Alaska Sea Grant after the meeting.
Location
The conference will be held at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown Hotel. The Marriott offers comfortable guest rooms with Cook Inlet or mountain views. Hotel amenities include high-speed Internet access (fee), in-room coffee/tea service, free cable TV, a business center, an on-site gift shop, and restaurant and bar.
Guest room accommodations are available to conference participants at a special rate of $99.00 per night, single occupancy. Add 12% tax to all room prices. To receive the conference rate, call by March 10 and say that your reservation is for the “energy workshop.” On the website, go to www.marriott.com/ancdt and enter ASGASGA for the booking code.
Anchorage Marriott Downtown Hotel
820 W. 7th Ave
Anchorage, Alaska 99501 USA
Phone: 1-907-279-8000
Fax: 1-907-279-8005
Reservations toll free: 1-800-228-9290 in USA and Canada
Registration information
Online registration is closed; please register onsite at the workshop. If you have questions or need further information, please see the workshop contact information at the bottom of this page.
Planning committee
- Brian Allee, Sue Keller, Sherri Pristash, and Doug Schneider, Alaska Sea Grant College Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks
- David Holt, Bodø University, Norway
- Bob Juettner, Aleutians East Borough
- Jan Oddvar Soernes, Bodø University, Norway
- Gregg Nady, Shell Oil
- Ann Ringstad, University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Arni Thomson, Alaska Crab Coalition
- Denis Wiesenburg, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Workshop contact information
Alaska Sea Grant College Program
907-474-6701 voice • 907-474-6285 fax
fyconf@uaf.edu