The graying of Alaska's fishing fleet is a growing concern for the state. A research team has been studying the problem for four years. Its most recent report, Turning the Tide, recommends five steps to reverse these troubling trends. One of those steps is to restore access to fishing in rural areas. This goal is one of the key drivers behind the Young Fishermen's Summit. Here are a few ways to help the fishing industry in Alaska.
The state's salmon fisheries have increased in prices in recent years. The average ex-vessel price for salmon in 2012 was 87 cents per pound, four more than in 2011. Some fisheries have increased prices more than others. The state must find ways to reduce the impact of bycatch on the salmon population. Alaska should also support on-shore seafood and infrastructure, such as a processing facility.
Many fishermen in Alaska are exposed to various dangerous sea creatures. Because of this, safety equipment is required on board. Life rafts and emergency drills are mandatory. The CFIVSA also requires all boats to use survival suits and electronic positions indicating radio beacons. Since many boats have safety equipment on board, the number of fishermen lost due to capsizes has decreased. Some parts of Alaska use brailing to bring the fish on board. However, most of the fishing fleet relies on taking bites.
The Alaskan fishing industry is a crucial economic driver for the state. It employs nearly 60,000 people, including many small fishermen living in south-central towns. The state's fishing fleet consists of almost 8,900 vessels. Most of them are in the twenty-three to the thirty-foot range. In 2019, the state's seafood industry produced 5.7 billion pounds of seafood and generated more than $2 billion in revenue. The state's seafood industry employs more people than any other private sector. A third of the fishing fleet's active permit owners and crew members are Alaskan.
A majority of the Alaskan fishing fleet is comprised of small boats that catch salmon, herring, halibut, and black cod using gillnetting and long-lining gears. Another segment comprises offshore vessels that fish for groundfish and shellfish, which use trawling gear. In addition to this, the fleet uses a variety of other techniques and types of equipment to catch their catch.
The social responsibility of Alaska's commercial fishing fleet has been praised for its low incidence of egregious labor practices. Despite this, it has received much criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability. In response, efforts are underway to ensure that all commercial fishers adhere to socially responsible practices. This will help the fleet become more competitive in the global marketplace. And while it is difficult to ensure a fair and equitable working environment for every fisherman, the state of Alaska's fishing fleet is an important place to start the conversation.
In terms of landed pounds, Alaska has five ports that consistently rank among the top ten in the U.S. Dutch Harbor/Unalaska has consistently ranked in the top three. In 2018, it landed 763 million pounds. Other Alaskan ports rank in the top twenty, including Kodiak, Naknek, and the Aleutian Islands. Aside from being home to some of the best fishing fleets in the world, Alaska's natural beauty and abundance make it an excellent destination for commercial fishermen.
While it is important to recognize the importance of EM, the Alaska fishing fleet is already facing several challenges. The state's governmental agencies are trying to implement industry-specific interpretations of CDC guidelines. The federal government must protect fishermen's trust in the industry while ensuring that its regulations are realistic. However, this is an ongoing process that should be done with greater transparency. It will also improve the safety of the industry and ensure that it continues to thrive.
As of 2016, there are over 3,000 boat days logged by Alaskan fleets. Over 800,000 sockeye were harvested, with most of them coming from Canadian waters. The co-migratory salmon come from populations that are facing significant threats. While the number of sockeye in Alaska is large, it is not clear how many of them are actually Canadian. And even if there aren't, there are many co-migratory species that are endangered.
