United Catcher Boats (UCB) is a non-profit trade association representing trawl catcher vessel companies participating primarily in the Eastern Bering Sea Alaska pollock fishery, the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Pacific cod fishery, and the Pacific whiting (hake) fishery. Based in Seattle, Washington, UCB’s members are located across Alaska, Washington, and Oregon.
Founded in 1993, UCB was formed to give a unified voice to the catcher vessel fleet and to support sustainable, science-based fisheries management. The association has been a leader in advancing accountability and conservation in the North Pacific, including helping implement 100% observer coverage and pioneering bycatch reduction efforts.
UCB actively supports cooperative research, bycatch avoidance programs, and gear innovations that reduce salmon and other non-target species bycatch. The group works closely with NOAA Fisheries, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and other partners to ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems and fishing communities.
Founded in 1993, UCB was formed to give a unified voice to the catcher vessel fleet and to support sustainable, science-based fisheries management. The association has been a leader in advancing accountability and conservation in the North Pacific, including helping implement 100% observer coverage and pioneering bycatch reduction efforts.
UCB actively supports cooperative research, bycatch avoidance programs, and gear innovations that reduce salmon and other non-target species bycatch. The group works closely with NOAA Fisheries, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and other partners to ensure the long-term health of marine ecosystems and fishing communities.
OUR MISSION
The purposes of United Catcher Boats shall be to foster and promote the interest of Owners and Operators of commercial fishing vessels that harvest fish in the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and off of the Pacific Coast. These Owners and Operators harvest fish and then deliver their product to processors at sea or on shore. Their activities are under the jurisdiction of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and Coastal State Agencies. In seeking to achieve these purposes, the Association shall:
- Preserve, exchange, and distribute reliable information to our Members concerning fisheries matters
- Monitor the political and regulatory processes that affect the North Pacific and Pacific fishing industry and keep our Members apprised of developments pertaining to our direct interests
- Promote the common interests of our Members in the appropriate scientific, political, and public arenas
- Encourage wise use and environmentally sound management of fishery resources of the North Pacific and Pacific Coast
- Promote the conservation and maintenance of fisheries' resources in the North Pacific and Pacific Coast while simultaneously providing commercial fishermen with the opportunity to harvest optimum yields for these fisheries
- Develop, explore, and support the innovation of responsible operating practices for the fishing industry
- Improve the economic viability of our Members
- Engage in a variety of lawful business and related activities that promote the common interests of our Members as permitted by the Washington Non-Profit Corporation Act as they are periodically amended
- Promote the goal of American owned catcher boats presently harvesting the fisheries resources of the North Pacific and Pacific Coast.
OFFICERS
President
Nate Stone The Fury Group |
Vice President
James Mize Golden Alaska |
Secretary
Anne Vanderhoeven Arctic Storm |
Treasurer
Elizabeth Reed Westward Fishing Company |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
Dan Martin - Alaska Boat Company
Jerry Downing - B&N Fisheries Hunter Berns - Bering North, LLC Phil Powell - Global Seas Chris Garbrick - Great West Seafoods George Hall - Rondy's, Inc. |
John Henderschedt - F/V Morning Star
Fred Yeck - Rogue Fisheries Christian Asay - Trident Seafoods Marcus Alden - Westward Fishing Company Gunnar Ildhuso, Jr. - Margun Enterprises, LLC |
STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Andrea Keikkala |
INTERCOOP MANAGER
Susie Zagorski |
OPERATIONS & COMMUNICATION MANAGER
Tara Coluccio |
