Deep cold, darkness, and lots of snow have kept Alaska AgrAbility hunkered down and mostly incubating ideas for the coming year. Their past outreach has reached mainly agricultural workers, but this year we will be designing more materials and doing more targeted outreach to fishers and mariculture workers.
Fishing is one of the top economic drivers in Alaska and is critically important to the independent individuals who have invested in boats, permits, fuel, and crews. These are comparable to a family farm and shouldn't be lost due to an injury or disability. Possible new outreach will be through local public radio stations, which are nearly the only stations broadcasting in rural areas and importantly can be picked-up on boats.
Staff will also be networking with the Alaska Marine Safety Organization to conduct outreach and education. In February, staff will have a booth at the Alaska Mariculture Conference.
Submitted by Leslie Shallcross