Workshop Information

North Aleutian Basin Energy-Fisheries Workshop

Anchorage Marriott Downtown Hotel
Anchorage, Alaska, USA
March 18–19, 2008

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

Topics

Participants

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

Workshop contact information

Alaska Sea Grant College Program
907-474-6701 voice • 907-474-6285 fax
fyconf@uaf.edu