AMSEA Launches Drive
For Fishermen Vaccinations
The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association has launched a vaccination promotion campaign with the aim of encouraging commercial fishermen to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Branded as “Catch Fish. Not COVID,” the campaign will provide commercial fishermen with accurate, science-based information about vaccine safety and COVID-19 risks, while making the business case for commercial fishing vessel operators and their crews to get vaccinated.
“As a commercial fisherman recently told us, when you’re a fisherman, you are the business,” said AMSEA Executive Director Jerry Dzugan. “COVID-19 can sicken a crew for weeks and lead to long-term health problems, limiting their ability to fish. It’s critical that fishermen get vaccinated in order to safeguard their livelihoods.”
The promotion campaign incorporates an informational website, www.fishnotcovid.com, that provides fishermen with information on vaccine safety and the potential impacts of COVID-19 on their fishing operations and their ability to fish. Central to the website is the Vaccine Finder, a tool developed by the CDC that helps users locate nearby vaccination sites. The campaign will reach out to fishermen through contact with fishing organizations and through various social media platforms.
Asked if this campaign is a departure from AMSEA’s usual marine safety training programs, Dzugan said, “I don’t think so. AMSEA has been focused on helping commercial fishermen with marine safety training for the past 36 years. Helping them to avoid serious illness or death from COVID-19 doesn’t feel like a stretch.”
AMSEA’s “Catch FISH. Not COVID” campaign is supported by funding from the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health.
Tribal Council
Elections Nov. 9
Four seats are open for the Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council election on Tuesday, Nov. 9.
Tribal citizens seeking office are to file a notice of candidacy and related materials with the election supervisor no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8. Candidacy material packets are available and may be picked up and dropped off at the STA offices, 456 Katlian Street.
Call Rose Demmert, the election supervisor, at 738-5450, with questions.
Emblem Club Meets
The Sitka Emblem Club business meeting will be held 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Elks Lodge.
