The Heinz Family Foundation awarded Linda Behnken, Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association (ALFA) executive director, with the 25th Heinz Award in the environment category.

Behnken was honored for her work on promoting sustainable fishing practices and supporting rural fishing communities of Alaska.

Behnken has been commercially fishing near Sitka since 1982.

Among the reasons for the award, the foundation highlighted Behnken's work in leading a grassroots movement to ban commercial trawling in 100,000 square miles of federal waters; her role in establishing the Fishery Conservation Network; ALFA's work establishing Southeast Alaska Sperm Whale Avoidance Project; and the creation of the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust, a crew apprentice program.

The Heinz awards, administered by the Heinz Family Foundation, recognize individuals for their contributions in the areas of arts and humanities, environment, human condition, public policy, and technology, the economy and employment.

Each award recipient receives an unrestricted $250,000 (€210,000) prize.