Business of Fish Course: Syllabus
Fall 2008 - Syllabus
The Business of Fish is a non-credited University course targeted to the commercial fishing sector. Business of Fish will cover a number of subjects related to financial management for a commercial fishing operation. The course will air on the University’s UATV every Tuesday from 12:00 – 12:50, starting September 16 through December 9. Two weeks are off.
Lead Instructor
Glenn Haight, Fisheries Business Specialist
University Alaska Fairbanks, School of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences
Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program
1108 F Street, Suite 215
Juneau, Alaska 99801
907-796-6046 (p)
907-796-6301 (f)
glenn.haight@alaska.edu
September 16, 12:00-12:50 pm - Introduction to Business of Fish
- Accessing material and interfacing
- Course description
- Benefits from better financial management
September 23, 12 – 12:50pm – Getting a handle on managing your finances
- Accounting methods for fishing operations
- Understanding financial statements
September 30, 12 – 12:50pm - Income taxes for Fishing Operations – Part I
- Basic filing requirements
- Resources
- Treatment of property for sale – capital gains, CCF, depreciation, amortization
- Guest lecture: George Bousselaire, IRS
October 7, 12 – 12:50pm – Income taxes for Fishing Operations – Part II
- Smart deductions
- Auto mileage
- Fuel excise tax
- Office space
- Meals, travel and per diem
- Treatment of health insurance and retirement plans
- Handling crew
- Guest lecture: George Bousselaire, IRS
October 14 – skip the week.
October 21, 12 – 12:50pm – Organizational structures
- Description of structures
- Pros and cons of structures for fishing operations
- Legal implications for structures in fishing operations
- Guest lecturer: TBD
October 28, 12 – 12:50pm – Evaluating Fishing Investment Opportunities
- Methods
- Investing concepts
- Examples using investing methods
November 4, 12 – 12:50pm – Writing a Business Plan for a Fishing Operation
- Why do a business plan
- What’s in a business plan?
- Things to think about
- Looking at on-line products
- Guest lecturer: Rick Wolk, Assistant Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, UAS
November 11, 12-12:50pm – Financing a fishing operation
- Types of financing
- Using the Capital Construction Fund
- Using like-kind exchanges
- Sources of financing
- Guest lecturer: Geoff Whistler, Loan Office, Alaska Division of Investments
November 18, 12-12:50pm – Planning for retirement through a fishing operation
- How money grows
- Retirement concepts
- Types of investment opportunities.
- Planning for your needs
- Guest lecturer: TBD
November 25 – skip the week
December 2, 12-12:50pm – Handling crew and Insuring your vessel
- Liability issues
- Means of protection
- Types of vessel insurance
- Saving money on vessel insurance
- Guest lecturer: TBD
December 9, 12 – 12:50pm – Wading through fisheries in government
- Federal, state, and local jurisdictions
- Players and processes
- Guest lecturer: TBD
Additional course information: - Intro to Direct Marketing
October 22, 23 and 24 at 1:00 – 3:00pm.
- October 22 - Implementation - Practical considerations – Lead Instructor – Greg Fisk
- Describe real world applications such as regulatory arrangements, production and logistical requirements, and credit and payment considerations etc.
- October 23 - Marketing - the Process – Lead Instructor – Quentin Fong
- Describe the profit generating process of orienting one's business towards your customer's needs and wants.
- October 24 - Financial Management – Evaluation – Lead Instructor – Glenn Haight
- Describe the tools that conduct benefit cost analysis to assist in determining whether your processes are generating profit and if you are achieving your long-term financial objectives.
