Silva wants to ensure younger fishermen stay in Wrangell

Antonio Silva is running for port commission - his first try at public office - and says he looks forward to representing the next generation of fishermen.

"We have a great younger fleet of fishermen here. It would be awesome to keep that fleet here," said the 38-year-old candidate.

While appreciative of all the successful work by past and present port commissioners, Silva said, "it's important to have someone younger" representing the next generation of the fleet on the commission.

He is one of four candidates for two three-year terms on the commission, with the seats going to the top two vote-getters in the Oct. 1 municipal election.

A full-time commercial fisherman since 2013, the year he moved to Wrangell, he operates a 46-foot "combo vessel" that he uses to troll and gillnet for salmon and run crab pots and shrimp pots. He also deckhands on a halibut boat.

As much as he enjoys the work, he acknowledges it's a challenging business. "Fishing is so cyclical, those of us who want to be in it for the long haul have to be wise in our decisions."

He sees a couple of upcoming decisions facing the borough, including the port commission, as key economic development opportunities for the community.

The federal government has awarded Wrangell a $25 million grant to rebuild the Inner Harbor, Reliance and Standard Oil floats. Silva said he would like to see the plans include work floats in the Inner Harbor, a larger covered fish-cleaning station downtown for the sport fleet, and maybe a collection point for cardboard which is currently banned from harbor trash dumpsters.

"We have a huge opportunity with that grant money to really build a harbor to benefit everybody."

While the borough continues to look for a buyer or long-term tenant for the former 6-Mile sawmill property, Silva would like to see another boat haul-out as part of any development plan for the borough-owned waterfront property.

"I have first-hand experience with the tremendous benefits of having the yard (Marine Service Center) in town," he said.

"Wrangell has benefited tremendously from the shipyard," which he said is known throughout Southeast for its convenience and the quality of the workers in town who repair boats. "It would be a big benefit to have that property down by Shoemaker used" for additional boat repair services and storage.

And while he supports projects to benefit the fishing fleet, Silva also is aware of the importance of tourism to the town's economy - and that cruise ship tourists arrive by boat and appreciate an attractive downtown waterfront.

In an effort to make more room available downtown, the borough is considering moving the barge landing and freight staging area from downtown to the mill property at 6-Mile.

"I am all for turning the Shoemaker lot into an industrial area. As far as moving the barge ramp ... I'm not sure. ... I think it's something to consider," Silva said.

"My goal would be to find a nice balance," he said. "Tourism is important, so is fishing important."

His job on the port commission, he said, would be "to find a balance."