United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA) has posthumously named Michael Bangs of Petersburg its Fisherman of the Year for 2018.
UFA is honoring Bangs, who passed away at his home in February, at the age of 62, as an industry leader in development of the roe-on-kelp and dive fisheries in Southeast Alaska.
Bangs had been the chair of the Southeast Regional Subsistence Advisory Council and served on that body since 2003. He also served on the Petersburg Fish and Game Advisory Committee.
“Michael Bangs was a prime example that the job of a commercial fisherman is not limited to just working on the boat,” said Frances Leach, executive director of UFA. “Michael’s involvement on the Southeast Regional Subsistence Advisory Council, Petersburg Fish and Game Advisory Committee and on the Southeast Alaska Regional Dive Fisheries Association demonstrates his service and involvement in public policy and helped paved the way to keep Alaska fishermen fishing.”
UFA, the statewide organization for Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, has since 2001, honored persons of the year in fisheries politics and fishermen.
Past recipients of the fisheries politics award have included former Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski, the late Sen. Ted Stevens, and twice Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
A complete list of past honorees is available online at www.ufafish.org/about/ufa-awards/
UFA is honoring Bangs, who passed away at his home in February, at the age of 62, as an industry leader in development of the roe-on-kelp and dive fisheries in Southeast Alaska.
Bangs had been the chair of the Southeast Regional Subsistence Advisory Council and served on that body since 2003. He also served on the Petersburg Fish and Game Advisory Committee.
“Michael Bangs was a prime example that the job of a commercial fisherman is not limited to just working on the boat,” said Frances Leach, executive director of UFA. “Michael’s involvement on the Southeast Regional Subsistence Advisory Council, Petersburg Fish and Game Advisory Committee and on the Southeast Alaska Regional Dive Fisheries Association demonstrates his service and involvement in public policy and helped paved the way to keep Alaska fishermen fishing.”
UFA, the statewide organization for Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, has since 2001, honored persons of the year in fisheries politics and fishermen.
Past recipients of the fisheries politics award have included former Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski, the late Sen. Ted Stevens, and twice Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
A complete list of past honorees is available online at www.ufafish.org/about/ufa-awards/
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