Our Way of Life Workshop

As part of the Advancing Understanding of Climate Adaptation and Resilience in Gulf of Alaska Fishing Communities project—led by the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center in partnership with fishing organizations in Cordova, Kodiak, and Sitka—the Our Way of Life Workshop brought together participants from all three communities to assess shared needs and strengthen collaboration around climate resilience and adaptation planning.

Held in Sitka near the height of herring season on March 18–19, the workshop convened project partners from the commercial fishing industry and representatives from Tribal organizations, including the Kodiak Area Native Association, Native Village of Eyak, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, and the Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.

Fishing is a way of life for Gulf of Alaska residents—a source of economic livelihood, cultural continuity, and community identity. By bringing these groups together, the workshop helped align ongoing efforts, deepen relationships, and support collaboration on climate adaptation and resilience for fishing communities across the region. The workshop report synthesizes key themes, shared insights, and potential next steps that emerged from the conversations.

To read more about the overall project and each community, see Adapt Fisheries and the GOA-wide plan, which provides a modular, action-oriented framework to strengthen the long-term viability of the fishing way of life in coastal Alaska and support economic security for communities across the region.