Based in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, the Alaskan Defender is one of Global Seas' pelagic trawl fishing vessels, primarily fishing pollock in the Bering Sea.
Photo: Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP).
Following the votes at this month's annual meeting, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) has new Directors and a new Board headed by Jim Johnson, but the focus for 2026 will be the same as for the year now ending: to continue telling the story of the Alaska pollock fishery.
During the meeting, GAPP members set the assessment rate for the coming year, in which they will continue to allocate significant resources both to promote demand for Wild Alaska Pollock worldwide and to protect the reputation of the fishery.
As noted by GAPP in a press release, members voted to appoint Luke Fanning of the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA) to serve as the Board member representing the Community Development Quota Group Sector, replacing Grant Mirick, also of APICDA.
For his part, Justin Johnson, of the Akutan Catcher Vessel Association, replaced Bob Desautel as the Catcher Vessel Cooperative Sector Director on the Board. Finally, Jeb Towne, of Global Seas, joined the Board as a new At-Large Director.
With those changes, in addition to Luke Fanning, Justin Johnson, and Jeb Towne, the other eight members elected to complete the eleven who will lead the organization in 2026 were Hunter Berns of Bering North; Joe Bundrant of Trident Seafoods; Doug Christensen of Arctic Storm Management Group; Eric Deakin of Coastal Villages Region Fund; John Henderschedt of Phoenix Processor Limited Partnership; Mark JoHahnson of Westward Seafoods; James Mize of Golden Alaska Seafoods and Jim Johnson of Glacier Fish Company.
At the same meeting, the new GAPP Board of Directors unanimously elected the latter as Chairman of the Board. Jim Johnson—who is President, CEO and a partner in Glacier, where for the past 17 years he has served in key executive roles—replaces Bob Desautel, who had served as Chairman of GAPP since 2022.
Likewise, the new Board also unanimously elected Doug Christensen to remain as the GAPP's Vice Chairman, John Henderschedt as Secretary, and Jeb Towne to serve as Treasurer.
"It is exciting to have new leadership in Luke, Jeb and Justin join the GAPP Board and bring their expertise, passion for our industry and vision forward," the new Chairman said, commenting on the changes to the Board.
"With new additions come fond farewells—it is hard to express the gratitude that the entire industry owes to Bob and Grant for their years of service in guiding GAPP, especially during challenging times," Jim Johnson added.
In its release, the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers also said that the GAPP Board will vote on its full strategic plan for the coming year at its March Board meeting. However, as mentioned above, the broad outlines for 2026 were already established at the annual membership meeting.
GAPP members voted to maintain its current assessment rate to support additional demand-building work, including the "incredibly successful" GAPP Partnership Program, as well as to address the long-term challenges facing the sector.
As Craig Morris, GAPP CEO, explained to WeAreAquaculture's sister publication, WeAreSeafood, in an exclusive interview, through its Partnership Program, GAPP makes its funding available to those who wish to introduce Wild Alaska Pollock into new formats and channels, or raise its profile around the world to help the organization drive awareness and demand for products made from Wild Alaska Pollock.
"We want them to use their creativity with our fish," he said. To this end, GAPP provides its partners with the five attributes that define its product: wild-caught; sourced from Alaska; with high nutritional value; mild in taste, making it versatile and easy to incorporate into many different cuisines; and, finally, what Craig Morris described as an "unmatched" sustainability story.
For GAPP, it's all about awareness for Wild Alaska Pollock, and this will continue to be the case next year when, as mentioned above, it will continue to tell the story of the Alaska pollock fishery in its mission to build that awareness and demand globally.
"Over the last year, GAPP has invested heavily in telling the story of the fishery, especially in Alaska," said GAPP's new Chairman of the Board, Jim Johnson. "Those efforts will continue with vigor over the next year, as well GAPP's Partnership Program and strategic efforts to build demand in key markets. The GAPP membership stands united behind these dual goals and are confident that GAPP will make significant progress against them next year."