One session at the Pacific Marine Expo (PME) this year will focus on the uncertainty and resilience of King Cove, Alaska.
Through compelling photographs, charts, and graphs, attendees will better see the community’s legacy as one of southwest Alaska’s oldest and most significant fishing hubs. However, this presentation isn’t just about honoring the past. It’s about confronting the drastic changes threatening the town’s future.
The session will delve into the factors that have put King Cove “on edge,” including shifts in fisheries resources and allocations, fluctuations in world and Alaska markets, and changes in plant ownership. These challenges have been compounded by the closure of the Peter Pan Seafood plant in fall 2023, a vital piece to the local economy. Between 60-70 percent of King Cove’s operating revenues come from fish and sales taxes and essential services like harbor operations and utilities, which have supported the fishing industry for decades.
Now, with the plant closed and its reopening uncertain, the stakes for the community couldn’t be higher. In a recent interview with Alaska Public Media, Mayor Warren Wilson explained how the city has managed to avoid major cutbacks by relying on savings from better years and state and federal grants. But, as Wilson also pointed out, the clock is ticking: “If it’s not up and running next year, the cuts will be happening.”
The future of the plant remains unpredictable. Peter Pan’s assets have been sold off in a Seattle court, and investor Rodger May, who purchased Peter Pan from a Japanese conglomerate, has secured the King Cove facility along with other assets. However, the community is still waiting for clarity about its reopening and what that could mean for the town’s fishermen, residents, and businesses.
This session will provide a candid look at what King Cove is facing. Speakers, including Mayor Warren Wilson, city administrator Gary Hennigh, and assistant city administrator Amber Jusefowytsch, will share fears, frustrations, and hopes of a community navigating a crisis unlike anything it has experienced in its 100-year history. The presentation will highlight King Cove's resilience through historical context and firsthand accounts while emphasizing the urgent need for solutions.
Don’t miss this chance to gain a deeper understanding of a community at a crossroads on Friday from 11:30 to 12:15 on the Main Stage.
