Commercial Salmon Fishing Livelihoods and Environmental Changes in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska

Abstract

Current and anticipated effects from climate change in coastal regions of the Gulf of Alaska include melting glaciers, warming ocean and riverine temperatures, and a greater proportion of annual precipitation falling as rain. These changes in the physical environment may affect abundance, distribution, health, and size of salmon, which will directly and indirectly impact salmon fishing livelihoods. Fishers’ adaptations documented in prior research included increases or decreases in fishing effort, diversification of fishing portfolios, changes in species, gear, and harvest location, and exit from the fishery. We conducted semi-structured interviews with fishery participants and institutional representatives involved with commercial salmon fisheries in the Kachemak Bay and Lynn Canal regions in the Gulf of Alaska to learn about observations and adaptations related to environmental changes, management changes, and co-occurring pressures. Interviews were transcribed and inductively coded for themes using Atlas.ti software using grounded theory methodology. Results will address a research gap about the local knowledge and adaptive strategies of commercial salmon fishermen to multiple stressors in both south central and southeast Alaska, as well as the role of local and regional institutions in supporting the resilience of those fisheries.