Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Associations On May 19, 2006 Bay driftnet permit holders approved a 1% assessment on their harvest. That tax will be deducted from drifter's fish tickets starting in 2006. Tax revenues from the drift fleet will start flowing to the BB-RSDA in late 2007. Bristol Bay Driftnetters’ Association supports the formation of the BB-RSDA.  We believe that the BB-RSDA is an investment in our future which will provide our fleet with high returns on this relatively low-cost investment

Regional Seafood Development Associations, RSDA’s, are non-profit organizations created in 2004 by the Alaska Legislature.  The purpose of RSDA’s is for fishermen to work collectively toward increasing the value of their harvests in each of the twelve Alaskan regions designated in state statutes.  Bristol Bay, meaning all waters within the boundaries of area T, is one of these 12 regions.  RSDAs are audited annually and must comply with the Alaska Statutes that permitted their creation.   

ASMI is no longer taking a 1% tax out of our raw fish value as of the 2005 season. While we supported the concept of what ASMI sought to do for our industry, we are certain that the BBRSDA will be able to direct efforts more precisely and exclusively toward the promotion of Bristol Bay sockeye.  The BBRSDA will be an improvement over ASMI since all revenue generated will go toward increasing the incomes of Bristol Bay fishers.

Current interim Board members are, as is required in the bylaws, all Bristol Bay permit holders. In the Spring of 2007, driftnet and setnet permit holders elect representatives to sit on the BBEDC board. This elected board determines policies, priorities and specific programs. Seats on the elected board will reflect the proportionate assessments paid by each gear group. Currently two interim boards (a driftnet board and a setnet board of permit holders) are volunteering to help with the initial organization of the BB-RSDA. These interim boards are not setting policy or strategy for the BB-RSDA - they only conduct the assessment and the board elections.

The Bristol Bay Driftnetters Association believes that establishing a marketing association will be a powerful tool for improving the future for Bristol Bay.  If we find we are unhappy with the results from the RSDA, Alaska State Statutes give permit holders a simple and straight forward fishermen initiated election process through which to eliminate the BBRSDA at any time.  At current prices, the cost to fishermen at the proposed 1% assessment would be about 0.6 to 0.7 cents
per pound.  This is a small investment relative to the potential for significant reward.

What kinds of activities can our RSDA be involved with?  

• Ice availability
• Regional quality certification
• Airport coolers
• Vessel insulation/slush bags etc
• Niche marketing/sales assistance   

The complete set of regulations, statutes and bylaws, along with other information can be viewed on the BBRSDA website at www.bbrsda.com