Rasmuson Fisheries Expansion
Charting a New Course for Fisheries Undergraduates in Alaska
Alaska's fisheries are entering a period of rapid change. Climate change influences the abundance and dynamics of fish stocks. Institutional changes (such as the rationalization of fisheries, federal imposition of subsistence priority, and the allocation of harvest to community development) continue to alter the structure and function of industry by promoting the emergence of industrial firms and Alaska Native organizations as dominant sectors in the fishing industry.
Legal protections for threatened and endangered species and essential habitats and the development of new ecosystem-based management plans are continuously changing Alaska's fisheries. The health of Alaska's biologically and ecologically sustainable fisheries, the growth and development of Alaska's economy, and the persistence of traditional subsistence communities require that we train and educate scientists and managers with a wide range of knowledge and experience to confront these challenges.
To provide this training and overcome these challenges, the Rasmuson Foundation provided a six-year, $5 million grant to the UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences in January 2007. The goal of this initiative is to educate the professionals necessary to guarantee the sustainability of Alaska's vast and healthy marine and freshwater resources. The University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Alaska State Legislature has provided matching funds ($4 million) for this endeavor, with the legislature agreeing to provide $1 million annually to support the program following the conclusion of the grant. This website is intended to provide an overview of the undergraduate fisheries program.
More information about the Rasmuson Fisheries Expansion can be found in the links below and at left. Major elements of the fisheries expansion include:
- Undergraduate Degree Programs
- Hands-On, Experiential Learning
- Download senior thesis project information (20KB PDF)
- Broad Geographic Availability: The Two-Plus-Two Program and Distance-Delivered Fisheries Courses
- Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Faculty Involvement
See Overview for more general information on the Rasmuson Fisheries Expansion, including information on the Rasmuson Fisheries Excellence Committee, progress reports, information on facilities and more.
For more information about the Rasmuson Fisheries Expansion, please contact Dr. Trent Sutton, Undergraduate Fisheries Coordinator, e‑mail: tmsutton@alaska.edu, 907-474-7285.
If you are a student interested in studying at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, please contact Amy Voigt, Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator, e‑mail amvoigt@alaska.edu or 907-474-6786.
