In July 2025, the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association (YRDFA) revived its Biological Fisheries Technician Training Camp, bringing seven participants from across Alaska to Eagle for 10 days of hands-on learning.
“One of the goals of this program is to provide specialized training to Yukon River residents that will enable them to find and fill local job opportunities within the Yukon fisheries,” said Brian McKenna, YRDFA’s fisheries biologist funded by AOOS.
YRDFA’s Brian McKenna teaches electrofishing techniques near Eagle. Photo by Rachael Kangas.
McKenna was one of the workshop’s core instructors, guiding participants through a range of fisheries tools and field techniques. Set along the Yukon River and nearby Mission and American creeks, the camp introduced trainees to key skills used in fisheries research and environmental monitoring. The curriculum included CPR and first aid, water and boat safety, water quality sampling, fisheries gear deployment, eDNA collection, electrofishing, drone operation, and sonar technology. Classroom discussions were paired with extensive field time to give participants practical experience they can apply in their home communities.
Rachael Kangas, who is a project manager at YRDFA, organized the workshop. This year’s session was supported through collaboration among YRDFA, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
For communities along the Yukon River, the camp offers more than new certifications — it strengthens local capacity to monitor fish populations, apply for small research grants and pursue fisheries-related employment.
“The conservation of Yukon River salmon depends on the incorporation of local involvement, as well as local and traditional knowledge, into the research and management of the fishery,” McKenna said.
Participants in YRDFA’s technician training learn about the ADFG Eagle sonar project. Photo by Serena Alstrom.
Although YRDFA has offered technician training in the past, this was the first session in several years. Executive Director Serena Alstrom secured new grant funding to relaunch the program in 2025.
“YRDFA aims to offer training opportunities to Yukon River residents, particularly during periods of low salmon abundance. This effort seeks to employ local people in roles that leverage their extensive knowledge and experience,” Alstrom said. “This initiative represents a significant step toward career development and educational growth for people of the Yukon River, and we plan to develop more training programs in the future.”
The next fisheries technician training is scheduled for June 2026 in St. Mary’s.
Read a detailed account of the workshop by Alexis Isherwood, including contributions from YRDFA staff and representatives from partner organizations.