ANCHORAGE, AK | On Wednesday, the Alaska Board of Fisheries, in a 4-3 vote, adopted amended language for Proposal 127 to alter the South Alaska Peninsula – or Area M – June commercial salmon fishery management plan to allow the Alaska Department of Fish & Game to issue up to three 24-hour openers per week for drift gillnet and purse seine vessels between June 10 and June 28. The new plan, which will take effect in 2026, reduces fishing time for these vessels by about 39% and 30%, respectively, from the 2023-2025 plan. It also removes the chum salmon triggers for seine fleet closures adopted in 2023.

While not the sweeping action with extensive fishing closures that Western and Interior Alaska Tribal organizations had been asking for, our organizations hope this action will provide more levels of protection for migrating salmon than the status quo plan.

The suite of proposals originally supported by the Tribal organizations would have closed the Area M commercial salmon fishery for 10 days up to the entire month of June to remove nets from the water during the peak passage of declined Western Alaska salmon stocks.

Click link below for full press release:

Press Statement: Alaska Board of Fisheries Takes First Steps to Place Protections on a Migratory Salmon Corridor in Area M

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.

ANCHORAGE, AK — The Alaska Board of Fisheries continued deliberations today for the Alaska Peninsula/Aleutian Islands & Chignik Finfish meeting at the Egan Civic & Convention Center, part of the February 18–24, 2026 meeting schedule.

Board members focused on Proposal 127 and reviewed substitute language presented by Board Member Irwin. After thorough discussion and consideration, the Board voted 4–3 in favor of adopting changes to the Alaska Peninsula June Fishery, including a measure to implement reduced fishing time for the June fishery.

Click link below for full press release:

Update from the Alaska Board of Fisheries — APAI & Chignik Meeting 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.

ANCHORAGE, AK — Vivian Korthuis, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP), testified this morning at the Alaska Board of Fisheries, Alaska Peninsula/Aleutian Islands and Chignik meeting held at the William A. Egan Center in Anchorage. The week-long meeting, part of the Board’s 2025–26 cycle of regional fishery meetings, is focused on Alaska Peninsula / Aleutian Islands / Chignik finfish regulatory proposals.

AVCP’s participation underscored the organization’s continued commitment to sustainable fisheries management and to representing the interests of Southwest Alaska communities, commercial harvesters, subsistence fishers, and Alaska Native peoples. Board agenda items included a range of proposals affecting salmon and other finfish harvest strategies in the region.

“Subsistence is our Way of Life. To us, salmon are not just a resource. They are our identity, both culturally and spiritually,” Korthuis told the Board. “If the fish do not make it home, nothing else matters.”

Click link below for full press release:

AVCP Leadership Testifies at Alaska Board of Fisheries Alaska Peninsula/Aleutian Islands and Chignik Meeting

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.

Click link below for full press release:

NPFMC Takes Limited Step on Chum Salmon Bycatch, Ignores Tribal Knowledge and Urgent Calls for Meaningful Limits

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.

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.

Today, the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) and two federally-qualified subsistence fishers from the Kuskokwim River, Betty Magnuson and Ivan Ivan, filed a brief in the United States Supreme Court opposing the State of Alaska’s renewed attack on federally protected subsistence rights and the Katie John line of cases. AVCP and its allies filed a united brief in the case, arguing that the Supreme Court should not review the August 2025 decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejecting the State of Alaska’s attacks on subsistence.

“Subsistence is not just a legal right; it is Our Way of Life. Katie John has protected our community for many years. So far, every court has affirmed what we know to be true, that our subsistence rights are our legal rights. The State of Alaska’s latest challenge at the Supreme Court level is a distraction from supporting our rights and traditions. We urge the United States Supreme Court to uphold these rights and reject any attempt by the State of Alaska to undermine them. AVCP continues to stand united with our allies to defend and protect Our Way of Life,” said Vivian Korthius, AVCP CEO.

Click link for Press Release:

Association of Village Council Presidents and Allies Defend Katie John Cases at the United States Supreme Court

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.

Bethel, Alaska — The Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) convened a unified media briefing today, led by Chief Executive Officer Vivian Korthuis, to address the impacts of Typhoon Halong and outline AVCP’s long-term recovery and emergency preparedness plans for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
The briefing brought together a diverse group of journalists from major outlets, including The New York Times, Associated Press, Anchorage Daily News, KYUK Radio, and others. This strong media presence ensured that critical information about AVCP’s response efforts reached local, state, and national audiences.

Click link for Press Release:

AVCP CEO Vivian Korthuis Hosts Unified Media Briefing on Typhoon Halong

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.

On behalf of the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) and the 56 tribes we serve across the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, I want to express our deep appreciation for President Donald Trump’s federal disaster declaration, which will provide $25 million in aid for communities and people impacted by Typhoon Halong in Western Alaska. This declaration is a critical step toward recovery, but it must be the beginning of a broader, sustained response.

President Trump’s words today reaffirm the importance of federal partnership in times of crisis:
“I just informed Governor Mike Dunleavy that, based on his request, I am approving $25   Million Dollars to help Alaska recover from the major typhoon they experienced earlier this month. It is my Honor to deliver for the Great State of Alaska.”

Click link for Press Release:

Statement from the CEO of AVCP on Federal Disaster Declaration for Typhoon Halong

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.