Kodiak
Climate planning for fishing communitiesThe foundation of Kodiak in 2050 is grounded in shared values, identity, and an innovation ecosystem. Shared values include communication, diverse representation, helping each other, consideration of the collective good, support for elders, sustaining natural beauty, self-reliance, hard working, civics focus, pride, inclusivity.
The community’s identity is shaped by its reliance on the marine ecosystem through fishing, being a working town, and the capacity to “make it” through hard work. The community is centered around the foundational idea that innovative change can happen in Kodiak by fostering an ecosystem of innovation, focusing on celebrating successes, and an assets-based mind frame.
Kodiak 2050 Foundation
Kodiak in 2050 is shaped by a culture of diversity, workforce development, vibrant fisheries, diversified and upgraded infrastructure, economic diversification, diverse youth and education programming, stable transportation, affordable housing, a healthy environment, and access to natural resources. The community continues to be sustained by fisheries and fishing families that are comprised of small fishing businesses, thriving on accessible fisheries, fisheries diversification, diverse processing and marketing capacity, local fresh fish markets and fishermen’s cooperative, increasing seafood prices through nationalizing seafood, and addressing increasing fishing costs through fisheries insurance pools and increasing engine efficiencies.
Fisheries infrastructure is diversified and upgraded including through municipal cold storage and ice facilities, multi-use working waterfront facilities, custom processing and direct marketing spaces, and diverse tools to limit harbor congestion (including moorings, sinking derelict fishing boats to create marine habitats, and places to beach boats for free). Economic diversification includes ecotourism, sustainable tourism, and mariculture and the potential for novel, innovative industries to explore opportunities in Kodiak. Transportation is stable and affordable, including potentially greater connectivity of island communities. The community invests in youth and education through diverse programming focused on helping the next generation pursue diverse interests and learning experiences. Local scientific capacity is enhanced through increased funding, shifting positions from AFSC and UAF offices to Kodiak, and reinvigorating Kodiak College.
Workforce initiatives focus on facilitating retention of fishing crew and a local processing workforce while investing in developing local capacity for fisheries support services. The city and Borough employ novel land use management initiatives that focus on decreasing housing shortages and costs and investing in developing land as assets, such as Gibson Cove for multiple user groups. The community celebrates its rich cultural and natural assets through stewardship of its marine resources, festivals, habitat and forest protections, enriched greenspaces downtown, and sustained access to diverse recreation. Connections between subsistence and commercial fisheries participants thrive.
Shaping the Future of Kodiak
Kodiak of 2050 is shaped by: innovation, determination, abundance, access, vibrancy, ingenuity, stewardship, resilience, collaboration, involvement, opportunity, cohesion, optimism, potential, community, youth.
Community Leads
Kodiak Contact
About Theresa
Theresa Peterson is the Fisheries Policy Director for AMCC, a longtime commercial fisherman and resident of Kodiak, and has served on numerous fisheries bodies including the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Kodiak Rural Leadership Forum.
Fisheries Anthropologist, Commercial Fisherman
Ringer Consulting
About Danielle
Danielle Ringer is a lifelong Alaskan, fisheries social scientist, and part of a commercial fishing family based in Kodiak. She works to provide the best available anthropological science for fishery systems and to support fishing communities as they seek to foster well-being and livelihood sustainability into the future.
Interested in being a part of this effort?
Reach out to Theresa Peterson (theresa@akmarine.org) or Danielle Ringer (dringerak@gmail.com) for more info.