Erik Velsko

Erik Velsko grew up in the commercial fishing industry in the small Southcentral fishing hub of Homer, Alaska. Erik has extensive experience as Captain, mate and crewmember in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska targeting many different species, on many different vessels. Erik also is a graduate of the California Maritime Academy, is a USCG licensed master and holds a BS in Marine Transportation with a minor in law. Erik also served a term on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (NPFMC) Advisory Panel and is a current member of the NPFMC’s IFQ Committee. He is also a member of Governor Dunleavy’s Alaska Bycatch Advisory Council, Vice President of the North Pacific Fisheries Association and was one of National Fisherman’s 2025 Highliner recipients. Erik has always been an advocate for the next generation of fishermen and the future of Alaskan fisheries. His summers are spent fishing salmon in Bristol Bay with his children, and occasionally Lacey.

Erik and his wife Lacey are founders of Kaia Fisheries and Kaia Seafoods, a family-owned and operated commercial fishing business home-ported in Homer, Alaska. They harvest Pacific cod, sablefish and halibut in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. They have recently retro-fitted the F/V Kaia, and modified handling and chilling practices, to prioritize a premium Pacific cod product based on technology adopted from Iceland. Erik and Lacey are also part owners of Dangerous Cape Fisheries which longlines halibut and blackcod in the Gulf of Alaska.