About Us

United Southeast Alaska Gillnetter’s Association (USAG) is a member-based organization representing the Southeast Alaska Gillnet Fishery. USAG’s main purpose is to protect, enhance, and look after the commercial gillnet fishery within the US Canada Treaty process, the Alaska Board of Fish process, United Fishermen of Alaska, the gillnet task force, the regional and non-regional hatchery system, the RPT committee, the enhanced allocation process, the state administrative and legislative processes, and in all political and developmental fronts affecting the fishermen and the gillnet fisheries within Southeast Alaska. At times we may come into conflict with other gear groups as our primary goals and interests rest with the gillnet fishery and the gillnet fishermen.

Appointing and endorsing various members to panels, political boards and hatchery boards is often at the forefront of USAG’s representation. USAG’s board is a reflection of the gillnet fishery within most SE Alaska towns, including fishermen from the lower 48. The board sets the policy for most weighty political actions by USAG with long-term sustainability and long-term solutions at the crux of any real decision. The executive director handles USAG’s correspondence, front line representation, information distribution, capital and administrative lobbying, and handles the day-to-day operations. Chris Knight, long-time fishermen (FV Sweetwater) and long-time political consultant, currently serves as the executive director for USAG. Knight and the organization can be reached by phone at (907) 586-6550 or by email through usag ”at” alaska ”dot” net.