AVCP Advocates for Chum Salmon Protections at NPFMC Meetings in Anchorage
Tribal leaders call for urgent action to protect subsistence, culture, and future generations.
Anchorage, Alaska — Leaders from the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) are in Anchorage this week participating in the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) meetings, held February 5–11, 2026, at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center. AVCP is advocating for strong and immediate action under Agenda Item C2: Chum Salmon Bycatch.
AVCP’s Executive leadership, including Executive Board Subsistence Committee members, tribal representatives, and cultural knowledge holders from across the region, provided testimony emphasizing that chum salmon are not only a food source, but central to the cultural identity, food security, and survival of Yup’ik, Cup’ik, and Athabascan peoples across the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta and Western Alaska. “We are salmon people, culturally and spiritually. Every single salmon counts,” said Vivian Korthuis, Chief Executive Officer of AVCP. “Right now, our identity as a people is under attack. The harm to our communities is real, ongoing, and hitting us directly. Status quo is not an option.”
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AVCP Advocates for Chum Salmon Protections at NPFMC Meetings in Anchorage
About:
Association of Village Council Presidents: Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) is a regional non-profit tribal consortium comprising 56 federally recognized tribes of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. AVCP’s region is approximately 55,000 square miles, with a population of 27,000 residing in 48 communities along the Yukon River, Kuskokwim River, and Bering Sea coast. The residents of the region are primarily Yup’ik, Cup’ik, and Athabascan. AVCP is dedicated to supporting the interests of its member tribes, including through community development, education, social services, culturally relevant programs, and advocacy. AVCP promotes self-determination and protection and enhancement of cultural and traditional values. As part of its mission, AVCP has long been committed to advocating for the protection of the Bering Sea and its resources.
