The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe has been giving its fishers an economic boost with workshops and grants to help them sell fish and shellfish commercially.
Through the S’Klallam Harvester’s Resiliency Expansion Project, the tribe’s natural resources, economic, education and nonprofit departments have put together a program that helps fishers better understand the tribe’s regulations and policies for selling fish and shellfish to buyers and directly to consumers.
“The outcomes of the seafood business and marketing workshop efforts are to equip tribal members with the knowledge they need to feel confident to achieve the potential for greater income for tribal fishers and the ability to secure more competitive prices for their products,” said Julianna Sullivan, the project biologist overseeing the program.
The program was inspired by feedback the tribe received from its fishers about barriers to participating in commercial fisheries and seafood sales. One barrier has been trying to interpret tribal laws related to fisheries and selling seafood, as the price per pound for fishermen for wholesale sales is quite low, she said.
“With the decline in salmon stocks in the 1980s and 1990s, the tribe has had to refocus harvest efforts on shellfish, such as Dungeness crab and geoduck clams, as a primary source of income,” Sullivan said.
Workshops included training videos on topics such as how to become a commercial fisher, the intricacies of federal Indian policies and fishing laws, how to conduct roadside sales, and seafood and business marketing plans. Another goal of the program is to create a physical market on the reservation where fish and shellfish can be sold directly to the customer, Sullivan said.
Upon completion of the training, fishers receive an $800 grant to help them with startup expenses such as starting or marketing their seafood business, or purchasing equipment.
With nearly 100 participants, many felt the workshop was beneficial in starting their own seafood business or becoming a buyer. They also appreciated learning more about their treaty rights and jurisdictions of fishing areas, and being able to provide seafood to fellow tribal members unable to harvest.
“I always thought it was as simple as having an ID, harvesting and selling,” said tribal member Kaylee Jones, who took the workshop. “I’m glad I was able to learn more about the jurisdiction, articles and regulations. I’ve had a few opportunities to practice my treaty rights and always felt nervous and in the dark on what to expect. Now I have more knowledge.”
“I learned that there are more diverse ways to market tribally caught seafood,” said tribal member Chris Jones. “That is very useful because the value isn’t always reflected in the prices that fishermen are paid.”
Additional outcomes from the workshop have included providing fisheries management with better data because there has been increased fisheries participation and reporting since people are taking more opportunities to fish, Sullivan said.
“Based on the positive feedback we received, this workshop provided tribal members with more confidence and understanding for exercising their treaty rights and where the opportunities are for entrepreneurship,” she said.
Port Gamble S’Klallam fisherman Mike Jones fishing for coho salmon near Port Gamble Bay. Story and photos: Tiffany Royal
