Unalaska, AK – A new exhibit about the history of Unalaska's commercial fisheries opens this week at the Museum of the Aleutians. The colorful show features informational panels about the different commercial fisheries in the region, how they've changed, and how they are managed. People can also see examples of different gear types. Museum director Zoya Johnson said it seemed natural to her to hold an exhibit featuring the fisheries.

"We felt very strongly that it was important for our community to come and at least get some sort of preview or overview of the fisheries," she said.

Johnson said the commercial fisheries didn't really get their start in Unalaska until 1976, when Congress passed the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The exhibit includes memories, photos, and information from community members who were around when it all began.

"Basically, this turned out to be almost a community project with the amount of people who were involved with helping us to get ready for the exhibit," Johnson said. She noted help from many of the local fishermen, government agencies, and Frank Kelty.

The $4,500 dollar temporary exhibit also includes a photo slide show spanning the history of the local fisheries and artwork by Anna Young, a former fishing captain in the area. The opening reception starts at 7 pm on Friday and the show runs until the end of December.