News and Resources

Sheridan takes the helm at PWSAC

Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) is excited to announce that Tommy Sheridan has joined our team as the General Manager/CEO.

Tommy is an excellent addition to PWSAC,” said PWSAC Board of Directors Chair Tim Moore. “Tommy’s skills and diverse experience in hatchery operations, fisheries management, and policy are an outstanding fit.

I’m excited to join PWSAC and work with its incredible staff” said Sheridan. “PWSAC exemplifies the innovation and foresight that led to the state’s hatchery programs, which today makes Alaska’s salmon fisheries a model for fisheries across the country and throughout the world.

Sheridan is the past Director of Government Affairs for Silver Bay Seafoods, a primarily fishermen owned seafood processing company headquartered in Sitka, Alaska, with facilities throughout Alaska and California. Previously, Sheridan was the Prince William Sound Area Management Biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, where he managed two of the largest salmon fisheries in the state’s history during the 2013 and 2015 seasons. He also worked in a variety of capacities for Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association in Southeast Alaska from 2002 through 2010, including serving as the company’s Special Projects Manager. Sheridan also previously served on the PWSAC Board of Directors.

A former Adjunct Instructor for University of Alaska Southeast’s Fisheries Technology Program, Sheridan holds several undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates with a focus on fisheries and rural studies. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, and Prince William Sound Science Center. In 2019, he was nominated by Alaska Governor Michael Dunleavy to serve as U.S. Commissioner to the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission, an international forum promoting the conservation of Pacific salmon, steelhead trout, and other ecologically related species in the high seas area of the North Pacific Ocean. Sheridan will be based in Cordova, Alaska where he lives with his wife and two children.

2019 PWSAC Fisheries Updates

Cost Recovery Update

Chum Salmon

Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation completed the 2019 Chum Cost Recovery on July 12, 2019

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Pink Salmon

Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation completed 97% the 2019 Pink Salmon Cost Recovery on August 11, 2019

Salmon Return Charts

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Estimated CPF Harvest by District (ADF&G)

Prince William Sound Inseason Harvest Estimates # of Fish (ADF&G)

Notification of the 2020 PWSAC Director Election

In 1985, the Area E salmon permit holders voted in a 2% enhancement tax to be assessed from their gross salmon deliveries.  The funds are collected by the State of Alaska and disbursed to PWSAC for maintaining enhancement programs and operations.

With the enactment of the salmon enhancement tax, the PWSAC Bylaws were amended to provide that every Area E salmon permit holder would be eligible to be a candidate and vote on the Fishermen’s Ballot for the PWSAC Board of Directors.  At least sixty (60%) of the directors are fishermen. The PWSAC Board of Directors has 27 fisherman seats: 10 seine seats, 10 drift gillnet seats, 6 dual permit seats and 1 set gillnet seat. 

• A dual permit holder is a person who holds both a seine and drift gillnet permit. 
• Those who hold both a drift gillnet and set gillnet may only occupy a seat designated for drift gillnetters.

The 2020 Fishermen Director Election will include 3-seine, 3-drift gillnet and 2-dual permit seats for three-year terms. The 3-year terms start on 10/2020 and go through 10/2023.

PWSAC needs interested people to serve on the board who have the time to commit and the desire to help the Board achieve corporate goals.

Incumbent directors whose term is expiring are:

• Robert Beedle, Gillnet seat A
• Shawna Williams, Gillnet seat B
• David Glasen, Gillnet seat C
• Thane Miller, Seine seat A
• Mike Meints, Seine seat B
• Alex Lopez, Seine seat C
• Tyee Lohse, Dual seat A
• EJ Cheshier, Dual seat B

Please complete the Candidate Questionnaire and contact a Board Development Committee Member if you are interested.

Board Development Committee

Eli Johnson – Chairman – 907-429-8089
Robert Beedle – 907-429-7207
Shawna Williams – 907-229-7655

2019 Fall Board of Directors Meeting

Aquaculture Occupational Endorsement Program

Interested in jump-starting your dream career working with salmon? Consider the many learning opportunities available with the University of Alaska Southeast and enroll is the Alaska Salmon Culture Semester program!

For more information or assistance in registering for the program contact:
Angela Bowers
abowers4@alaska.edu
907-747-7742

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2019 PWSAC Hatchery Return Forecast