Linda Behnken

Linda Behnken is an American commercial fisher who promotes sustainable fishing and conservation policies. Based in Sitka, Alaska, she has founded multiple organizations focused on the needs of small-scale fishers.

Early life and education

Behnken was born and raised in Connecticut. Growing up, she played ice hockey in both high school and college. During her first summer off from Dartmouth College, Behnken landed a job as a commercial fisher in Sitka, Alaska, eventually dedicating herself to the trade. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth followed by a Master of Science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

Career Behnken became the executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association (ALFA) in 1991. As executive director, she advocates for both sustainable fisheries and small-scale fishing operations. Behnken was a member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council from 1992 to 2001.

In 2016, Behnken was appointed to the International Pacific Halibut Commission. Behnken is also a founding member of the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust, an organization dedicated to promoting commercial fishing to the younger generation.

Behnken runs a crew training program aimed at younger fishers in the industry, and has called for the older generation to advocate for the industry as a whole.

Awards and honors In 2016, Behnken was recognized as a "Champion for Change" by the Obama White House in 2020, Behnken received the Heinz Award for her work on the environment