Preparing Students to Meet Increasing Global Demand for Aquaculture and Mariculture Careers
Thanks in part to dual-enrollment opportunities for high school students across Alaska, enrollment in University of Alaska Southeast's Applied Fisheries is at its strongest. The At-sea Processors Association provides scholarships to help high school students explore potential careers and complete the Fisheries Technology Occupational Endorsement in Fisheries Management and other college-credit courses at UAS. APA’s generosity has been instrumental in the success of Applied Fisheries’ dual-enrollment program, with nearly 300 UAS students benefiting from APA’s support to date. The University of Alaska Fairbanks also significantly benefits from APA’s contributions in support of research.
At-sea Processors Association is a trade association of five member companies that own and operate catcher/processor vessels and are committed to minimizing fishing impacts on the environment. They work with fishery managers, scientists, environmentalists, and other industries to achieve this outcome. As donors to both UAS and UAF, members of APA have advocated for and utilized the Education Tax Credit program in Alaska.
The Education Tax Credit program, first established in 1987 by the Legislature, encourages private businesses to make charitable contributions to support schools in Alaska. This has resulted in highly effective partnerships between businesses, the university, and the state - leading to charitable contributions toward student scholarships, research, centers of excellence, facilities and much more.
Stephanie Madsen, executive director of APA and a member of the UA Foundation Board of Directors, regularly advocates for the ETC, once saying, “Since 2000, this program has allowed the members of APA to invest in programs ranging from undergraduate and graduate fellowships, to research addressing current fishery management concerns, to technical training for youth.”
With extensive coastline, waters, and marine resources, Alaska requires a range of associated professionals. University of Alaska Southeast’s Applied Fisheries program offers numerous fields of study designed to prepare students for careers in various industries. Students can choose between occupational endorsement, certification, and degree-track options in the program, which is located at the UAS Sitka campus.
