National Fisherman magazine chooses three top "highliners" each year, selecting fishermen based on their advocacy for the industry.
DILLINGHAM: National Fisherman magazine has named its top three “Highliners” for 2013, and among them is Robert Heyano of Dillingham.
Heyano captains the 32' gillnetter Lady Mindy and has been fishing Bristol Bay waters since he was old enough to pick fish at the family’s setnet site on Ekuk Beach.
Heyano is the current president and a founding board member of the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, which is dedicated to advancing Bristol Bay salmon in the market and protecting the sustainability of the fishery.
BBRSDA Executive Director Bob Waldrop called the magazine's naming of Heyano as a top highliner a "splendid choice."
"BBRSDA would not be what it is - or possibly even exist - without Robert's wisdom and leadership," said Waldrop. "His steadfast leadership has been foundational for the Bristol Bay fishing industry."
The other two top highliners for 2013 are from Alaska and Washington.
Jerry McCune of Cordova skippers the 33' gillnetter Wudahad, and is the president of the United Fishermen of Alaska. And Robert Hezel of Clinton, Washington, is the captain of the 185' Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska trawler U.S. Intrepid. Hezel supports industry efforts towards improving safety at sea and reducing trawl bycatch, and has also been involved with the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial, according to the magazine.
National Fisherman publishes a monthly magazine to about 30,000 subscribers, most of whom ply the trade.
The Highliner awards, an annual tradition since 1975, recognize fishermen who have upheld a "standard of excellence in their advocacy for the industry." Full profiles of this year’s winners will be featured in the December issue of National Fisherman.