Our mission is to actively participate in managing and conserving Kuskokwim area fisheries resources to ensure long-term sustainability of the subsistence way of life for our members.

Our vision is to have thriving sustainable subsistence fisheries and local involvement in fisheries management.  Thriving sustainable subsistence fisheries must included healthy fish populations, a robust fishing culture, and a continuation of the tradition of respect surrounding the taking and using of fish.  Local involvement includes a well informed public of subsistence users who are inspired and have the opportunity to give local input to influence fisheries management decisions.  This input can be from tribes, individuals, organizations, and advisory groups.  Local involvement also includes tribes and Native organizations taking on the responsibility to monitor our fisheries resources and employing local people to work in the fisheries field.

Our approach is to partner on fisheries research and monitoring projects, conduct community outreach focusing on two-way communication, employ local people in the fisheries field, and provide technical assistance to individuals, groups, and tribes so that they can better give input into the fisheries management process.

Our history briefly summarized is that the Kuskokwim Native Association (KNA) Fisheries Program began in 1996 with the start of the George River Salmon Escapement Monitoring Weir and a partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Division of Commercial Fisheries. Since then we have become a successful participant in the Partners for Fisheries Monitoring Program with the Federal Office of Subsistence Management and grown to employ two fulltime fishery biologists, a fulltime seasonal fishery educator, and several seasonal technicians and interns to conduct a host of fisheries research, monitoring, management, and education activities.

• Our Fisheries Research and Monitoring Program has successfully completed 21 projects and is currently working on 15 additional projects.  Through these projects we have partnered with over 15 different agencies and organizations and have gathered the necessary data and information needed to ensure sustainable fisheries management.
• Our Fisheries Outreach and Education Program includes community meetings, K-12 school programs, publications, mass media, and this website.  We use this program to inform our members about our projects, learn from our members especially elders, and teach our members especially the younger generations about fisheries biology and management. 
• Our  Fisheries Employment Program provides high school internships, college internships including a college scholarship program, seasonal technician positions, and entry level biologist positions.  Through these efforts our Tribe’s members become directly involved in fisheries projects.  We encourage them to pursue fisheries careers and become professionals with our organization and other Kuskokwim area management agencies.  We annually hire approximately 20 one-week high school interns, 4-8 multi-week high school interns, 3 college interns, 6-12 seasonal technicians, and a seasonal entry level biologists. 
• Our Technical Assistance Program provides information, data, and technical assistance to local advisory group representatives, member Tribes, and local individuals so that they can better participate in the fisheries management processes.  Our biologists regularly present fisheries data and project results at regional advisory group meetings (e.g. Federal Regional Advisory Councils and Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group) and work one-on-one with Tribal leaders and individuals.