Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union of the Pacific
The Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union of the Pacific is an independent union and the oldest organization of crewmen and skippers in the North Pacific. The Union has a distinguished, positive and progressive history as well as an unbroken series of accomplishments on behalf of working fishermen. They are no longer a Union for longliners only. They have opened their membership to crabbers and other fisheries needing their help.
The Union, since 1912, has focused on crewmen and skipper rights, safety and professionalism, the long term health of the fishery and an always high-quality product. For added impact they are affiliated with the AFL-CIO, the Sailor’s Union of the Pacific, the Washington State Labor Council and the King County Labor Council. Each of them has come to their assistance in their legislative fights for the laborer who has put his/her sweat equity into harvesting the bounties of the Sea.
Traditionally, the Union has been active in the management of the halibut fishery. They were among the groups that helped to establish the International Pacific Halibut Commission when the need arose in the 1920’s. They have worked for different programs of conservation and fleet management through government and self-regulation. Today, especially since the introduction of the 200-mile limit in 1976, they continue to be active in that process, with long-term productivity as the primary goal.
Memories is a Member of the Deep Sea Fishermen’s Union of the Pacific
The Union has also been one of the major forces involved in the takeover of the Alaskan sablefish resource from the traditionally Japanese fishery. They lobbied strongly for the chance to fish that stock and their boats then proved their ability to catch it.
All fisheries are interrelated. Stocks and fleets of all kinds affect each other. The Union strongly believes in management practices that recognize this fact and that promote the first mandate of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act: to harvest fully the available stocks of fish while still conserving the resource for future fishing. Union fishermen are changing from an almost exclusive halibut, multi-species longline fishery into a diversified, fixed gear group including the crab fishery. They are participating not only in this trend but also in the management that will promote the long-term health of these industries, one of efficient operations and of quality products.
