The Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program is paving the way for the next generation of fishermen with a summit to be held at Anchorage’s Hotel Captain Cook on Jan. 25-26.

The Alaska Young Fisherman’s Summit is intended to draw fishermen from every region of the state who are less than 40 years old, or have fished fewer than five years, volunteer staff member Erin Harrington said.

The first of its kind in Alaska, the summit gives young fishermen a chance to meet and develop relationships with colleagues they might not otherwise meet, and to receive training from seasoned and knowledgeable people currently in fisheries.

Training sessions are designed to reflect the changing face of Alaska fisheries, with focus on business savvy, an understanding of the global seafood market, and even skills like public speaking, Harrington said.

“We’ve been trying to keep it real,” Harrington said. “(To) prep them for meaningful involvement in the fishery.”

The summit opens with keynote addresses by Arne Fuglvog, who served on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and now works for Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and longtime fisherman Clem Tillion.

“I think they’ll provide … excellent perspective on the course of Alaska’s fishing history,” Harrington said.

Topical sessions follow the keynote addresses, delivered in an interactive panel style with group breakout sessions to encourage discussion.

“We’re trying to make it as interactive as we can,” planning committee chair Sunny Rice said.

Harrington said the planning committee encouraged fishermen’s organizations around the state to sponsor a young fisherman’s admission to the summit.

Limited scholarship funding is also available, with an application deadline of Monday, Jan. 8. Contact Sunny Rice, 772-3381 for more information.

Summit registration fees are at a discounted rate until Monday, Jan. 15. The fees cover lunches, refreshments and session materials.

Mirror writer Lindsay Cournia may be reached via e-mail at fisheries@kodiakdailymirror.com.