Fishing.

• Author: Campbell, McKie
• Position: Salmon harvest statistics - Brief Article

In 2005, the state's salmon harvest topped 200 million fish for the third time since statehood. Prices for most species of salmon were similar to last year's, but average prices for sockeye salmon increased substantially. The total commercial salmon catch was valued at just shy of the $300 million ex-vessel price paid directly to fishermen. While still facing severe competition from farmed salmon, Alaska's salmon industry appears poised for a solid recovery from a decade-long downturn.

In 2004, groundfish harvests off Alaska totaled $565 million in ex-vessel value, shellfish came in at $155 million, halibut at $195 million, and herring brought in $15 million. This total of more than $1 billion in ex-vessel value supports an estimated $3 billion in total generated sales for Alaska seafood in harvesting, processing and distribution. Federal statistics show that Alaska's international export of seafood...