Boat Haulout
Dear Editor: I was disappointed by the headline assigned to the haulout article in Tuesday’s paper. The headline stated: ‘‘Local Group is Out as Haulout Builder.’’ As the article explained, the “local group” – or Sitka Community Boatyard (SCB) – are still fully committed to securing a haulout for Sitka. The SCB relinquished the draft lease we received from the city because the costs and terms were unworkable and relinquishing the lease was the best path forward; we are still working with the city and GPIP to secure the haulout Sitka needs.
By way of background: in 2021, the Sitka Community Boatyard (SCB), which includes the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust, Jeremy Serka, Jeff Farvour, Sean Hauvig and Terry Perensovich, identified sufficient capital to construct a retaining wall, piers, conduct upland improvements, and purchase a 150-ton Travelift. COVID then increased construction and shipping costs by 63 percent. We tried to raise or borrow the additional capital but have been unsuccessful. While we remain committed to keeping land ownership with the city, borrowing money on a leased asset is at best difficult. After months of work, we have shifted focus to building the haulout we can afford while working with GPIP and the city on a longer-term solution.
Commercial fishing is Sitka’s largest private sector employer and the main pillar of the community’s economic base. While the looming tourism tsunami is all the buzz, Sitka’s leadership should remember that during the pandemic cruise ship tourism stopped, charter fishing all but stopped – and the commercial fishing fleet kept on working. Not only did Sitka fishermen continue to work, they continued to generate raw fish tax (over $1 million), support local jobs (approximately 2,000), spend money in local stores, and contribute in a big way to food security.
Per the McDowell Report: virtually every business in the Sitka community benefits from commercial fishing dollars. In fact, over 45 million pounds of seafood worth over $60 million continue to be landed, year after year, in Sitka. And in 2020/21, our fishermen worked with community partners to donate 630,000 seafood meals to Alaska and Pacific NW families in need.
Commercial fishing is a vital component of Sitka’s food security and economic health. No fishing fleet can survive without an accessible, proximate haulout and boatyard – nor can this community. Sitka needs a boatyard and the SCB group remains committed to securing that service.
Linda Behnken, Sitka
