OUR COMMITMENT

United Catcher Boats (UCB) is deeply committed to protecting the marine ecosystem that sustains our fisheries. We believe responsible fishing isn’t just good practice—it’s essential for the future of our fleet, our communities, and the health of our oceans. UCB members lead through action, science, collaboration, and innovation to ensure the long-term sustainability and protection of the Alaska pollock, Pacific cod, and Pacific whiting fisheries we depend on.

ECOSYSTEM BASED MANAGEMENT

Sustainability goes beyond individual species. UCB supports science-based management that protects the broader ecosystem; minimizing bycatch—especially of salmon and other non-target species—is a top priority. We accomplish this by: 

• Salmon Savings Incentive Plan Agreement (IPA): UCB vessels participate in a fleet-wide, data-sharing system that rewards vessels for avoiding high-risk areas and penalizes those with higher bycatch.
• Excluder Devices: Our vessels use specialized gear that allows salmon to escape the trawl net, reducing incidental catch.
• Voluntary Avoidance Areas: UCB members routinely avoid areas with high bycatch potential, using a rolling hot-spot closure program which utilizes shared mapping and communication systems from a neutral third party data monitoring company to guide decisions in real time.
• Strict Quotas: UCB members operate under federally set catch limits that prevent overfishing and protect species health.
• Habitat Awareness: Our vessels comply with marine protected areas and seasonal closures.​

RESEARCH & INNOVATION

UCB supports and engages in collaborative research with North Pacific Fisheries Research Foundation (NPFRF), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), universities, and gear manufacturers to improve fishery sustainability through innovation. 

• Gear Trials: UCB vessels participate in testing and refining excluder devices and other trawl modifications to reduce salmon, halibut, and crab bycatch.
• Behavioral Studies: Research on salmon movement and trawl interactions helps inform future gear design.
• Data Contributions: Our fleet provides vital data for ecosystem modeling, stock assessments, and fishery science.