Catch FISH. Not COVID. is a new vaccine promotion campaign that’s been launched by the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association in hopes of connecting commercial fishermen with information on the benefits of vaccination and places where they can get vaccinated. The campaign, which is mostly conducted through their social media pages and the campaign website, aims to provide science-based information about vaccine safety and COVID-19 risks on their fishing operations and their ability to fish, while making the business case for commercial fishing vessel operators and their crews to get vaccinated.
Nate Berga, Plant Manager for Pacific Star Seafoods told the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services in May:
“We have been working with the Kenai Fire Department. We began vaccinating employees who had not been vaccinated yet. For us, it’s just another layer of protection. Trying to protect the employees, the community and the fishermen and to ensure they have employment.”
The promotion campaign’s website, www.fishnotcovid.com provides fishermen with information on vaccine safety. On the website is a Vaccine Finder, a tool developed by the CDC that helps users locate a nearby vaccination site. The campaign will directly reach out to fishermen through contact with fishing organizations and through various social media platforms.
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association Executive Director, Jerry Dzugan released a statement saying:
“As a commercial fisherman recently told us, when you’re a fisherman, you are the business. COVID-19 can sicken a crew for weeks and lead to long-term health problems, limiting their ability to fish. It’s critical that fishermen get vaccinated in order to safeguard their livelihoods.”
The campaign’s website appeals to the commercial fishermen saying that regardless of if you’re the captain or the deckhand, if you aren’t healthy and able to fish, you don’t get paid. The Catch FISH. Not COVID. campaign is supported by funding from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
