Alaska Salmon Management Economic, Social, Political Complexity

Abstract

Alaska’s seafood industry is world-scale. The value of fish harvests was about $900 million in 2001. About $1.3 billion in value was added in fish processing. The seafood industry is particularly important for rural Alaska. Fishing is the most important source of income, taxes, infrastructure and utilities for coastal communities--and an important part of Alaska culture. However, many fishermen and the majority of fish processing workers are non-residents, and most of the large companies in the seafood industry are based outside Alaska. Alaska salmon are harvested in 27 different limited entry fisheries.These fisheries differ widely in gear type, species harvested, volume harvested, values of harvest, number of permit holders, average earnings and average permit value—and in how well or poorly the management system is working. This presentation explores aspects of Alaska's history, constitution, statutes, and state regulatory bodies in the management system (state water jurisdiction). Presentation to UAA Environmental Economics and Policy Class