Silver Bay, APICDA to partner at False Pass

Here's a press release.

APICDA, Trident settle

The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association and Trident Seafoods have settled their legal tussle over the False Pass fish plant.

APICDA sues Trident

A partnership involving a processing plant at False Pass has gone sour, and now the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association is suing Trident Seafoods in federal court.

Cod freezer longliners hook up in big deal

Here's the press release.

APICDA to sell Cannon Fish subsidiary to E&E Foods

Here's the press release.

APICDA's Cotter announces retirement plans

Here's the press release.

Trident invests in APICDA subsidiaries

Here's the press release.

The Atka tragedy

On June 14, a terrible event occurred on remote Atka Island when a van carrying workers from the Atka Pride Seafoods plant rolled over, killing three and injuring several others.

The driver of the van has since been charged with manslaughter, DUI and other offenses.

Deckboss obtained the charging documents, which describe the tragedy.

Atka Pride Seafoods is a subsidiary of Juneau-based Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association.

Is 'merger' another word for this?

Here's big news from longline heavies Blue North and Prowler Fisheries.

A big day for Cannon Fish, APICDA

Cannon Fish Co. plans to cut the ribbon Saturday on a new seafood processing plant in Kent, Washington, south of Seattle.

Cannon Fish belongs to Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association, one of Alaska's Community Development Quota organizations. APICDA acquired the company in 2013.

The new plant has the potential to employ 200 people and will work in conjunction with APICDA processing plants in two remote Alaska communities — Atka and False Pass.

More details in this press release.

APICDA to acquire Cannon Fish

Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association is buying Cannon Fish Co., a Seattle-based processing and marketing company.

"With Cannon Fish we are, in essence, vertically integrating," says Larry Cotter, APICDA chief executive. "We will now be able to manage all aspects of our seafood operations from the boat to the table."

Read lots more about the deal here.

APICDA to expand False Pass, Atka plants

The Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association is planning major expansions of its False Pass and Atka processing plants.

Larry Cotter, chief executive of Juneau-based APICDA, offered details of the expansions in a talk Friday at the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference annual meeting in Anchorage.

APICDA is one of Alaska's six community development quota companies. Under the CDQ program, these companies hold lucrative Bering Sea fishing rights, proceeds from which are used to benefit Western Alaska villages.

Recently, the APICDA board decided on a new strategy for the small False Pass and Atka plants, Cotter said.

In the past, APICDA worried that growing larger operations might attract big processors, who could bring crushing competition, he said.

But what APICDA has learned is staying small doesn't work, and doesn't do enough for the local economies, Cotter said.

And so...

At False Pass, a tiny village near the tip of the Alaska Peninsula, the plan is to spend $11 million over the next three years — including $8 million this year — to greatly expand Bering Pacific Seafoods, Cotter said. Construction of worker housing also is planned.

At Atka, in the Aleutian chain more than 300 miles west of Dutch Harbor, the plan is to spend $10 million in 2013-14 to expand Atka Pride Seafoods.

The goal is to turn both plants, now open only seasonally, into diversified, year-round seafood processors, Cotter said.

What in the world?

Now here's something you don't see every day — a yellow halibut.

The crew of the fishing vessel Atka Pride caught the fish in mid-September near Atka in the Aleutian chain.

That's skipper Don Malcolm below holding the curious catch.

Photos of the fish were sent to the International Pacific Halibut Commission and the Smithsonian, says Joe Kyle, chief operating officer with the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association.

APICDA, one of Alaska's Community Development Quota organizations, owns and operates the Atka Pride through a subsidiary.

Thanks, Joe, for sharing the pictures of this bumblebee halibut!

Parnell to keep Moller as rural affairs adviser

Sean Parnell
Lieutenant Governor

July 20, 2009

Rural Affairs Adviser John Moller Will Stay on with Parnell

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell today announced the retention of Gov. Palin’s rural affairs adviser, John Moller.

“John’s strong community leadership has given him the tools to be an effective advocate for rural Alaska,” said Parnell. “Together we can continue to work hard for Alaska’s rural communities.”

John Moller was born in Unalaska. He is working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Alaska. He’s been a commercial crab fisherman in the Bering Sea for 13 years and has served as general manger of the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association for 12 years.

Moller also currently serves as staff assistant for the departments of Military and Veterans Affairs and Commerce, Community and Economic Development.