Subsistence Use of Renewable Resources by Rural Residents of Southeast Alaska

Abstract

The Tongass Resource Use Cooperative Survey consists of 1,465 interviews conducted in 30 southeast Alaska communities between October 1, 1987, andMarch 13, 1988. The study was directed by the Institute of Social and Economic Research of the University of Alaska Anchorage. All permanent communities, with the exception of Juneau and Ketchikan, were included in the study. The purpose of this report is to describe the extent of harvest and distribution of renewable natural resources by rural southeast Alaska residents. Eighty-five percent of all households surveyed harvest one or more species of fish, wildlife, or plants. Such resources include deer, salmon, halibut, and other(non-salmon) fin fish, crab, shrimp, clams, other invertebrates, ducks, bear, harbor seal, berries, firewood, and other resources. Forty-one percent of all households report that at least 25 percent of the meat and fish they eat comes from resources harvested by members of their own households or is given to them by family or friends.