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ABOUT US

The United Cook Inlet Drift Association (UCIDA) was incorporated in 1980 to represent the 570 drift gillnet salmon fishing permit holders in Alaska’s Cook Inlet. UCIDA’s purpose is to enhance and perpetuate the interests of this valuable commercial salmon fishing industry.

Wild Alaskan salmon have been commercially harvested in Cook Inlet since 1882. Today the industry is vital to the economic health of over 20 communities around Cook Inlet and on the Kenai Peninsula. This sustainable source of wild salmon contributes to the food security of both Alaska and the nation.

In 2015 the McDowell Group published “The Economic Impact of the Seafood Industry in Southcentral Alaska.”  Some of the key findings from the report include an industry employment rate of over 10,000 people in Southcentral Alaska and total economic output of $1.2 billion per year. Salmon is the foundation of this seafood industry, accounting for 85% of the value.

UCIDA’s Board of Directors and staff work to promote responsible management to ensure the long-term health of this abundant salmon resource and the resulting opportunities and benefits it provides. The day-to-day work of UCIDA covers an extremely broad range of issues that ultimately affect salmon, their harvest and marketing. These may include fishery management, invasive species, oil and gas lease sales, navigation issues, endangered species acts, oil spill response, local, state and federal regulatory issues and both state and federal litigation.

The nine members of the Board of Directors serve staggered three-year terms. Elections are held at annual membership meetings. Members (Upper Cook Inlet drift gillnet permit holders) and Associate Members are encouraged to attend all Board meetings.

Office Manager – Audrey Salmon – info@ucida.org

Board of Directors –