Salmon Culture in Sitka

If you are a student interested in fish culture, hatchery management, or Pacific salmon enhancement, we invite you to round out your studies with a field-based program in beautiful Sitka, Alaska! Join us for a semester of intensive experiential learning in the Fall of 2019 (August 26–December 13) for the Salmon Culture Semester program, run through the University of Alaska Southeast's Fisheries Technology program.

Sitka has developed a reputation as a stronghold for aquaculture within the state. There are three hatcheries in the region: the Sheldon Jackson Hatchery works in partnership with the Sitka Sound Science Center, and the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association of Sitka runs Medvejie Hatchery and the Sawmill Creek Hatchery. Medvejie is home to the most successful Chinook program in the Southeast region. In the Salmon Culture Semester, you will have the opportunity to work with UAS faculty and with our local industry partners, learning about Pacific salmon enhancement in the classroom and in the field. In the program, you'll learn about the history and policies of Alaskan salmon culture, skiff handling and small engine maintenance techniques, and everything in between.

Hands-On Learning

Salmon Culture Semester offers students from around the country the opportunity to take on an academic hands-on learning experience, studying fisheries sciences and practices with easy access to cold-water marine habitats and professional facilities.

Sitka Sound

Open to the Pacific Ocean, the Sitka Sound features a raw coastline, abundant with invertebrates, whales, sea lions, otters, and seabirds – and multiple species of Pacific salmon and other fish, of course!

Develop Fish Culture Skills

Students study with hatchery professionals to practice cutting-edge salmon enhancement techniques and skills, and to develop a vast knowledge base of the science and history behind them.

Small Boat Handling

Basic familiarity with boats and engines proves indispensable working in underwater systems. Students learn how to prevent issues from arising, and to troubleshoot problems while out in the field.

Interdisciplinary Study

In addition to gaining experience in field techniques and fish culture, students also get to be a part of the larger Sitka community, through miles of hiking trails, frequent potlucks, and a vibrant arts scene.

For more details, contact Dr. Reid Brewer at 907-747-7799 or by email.