Seafood economics: Alaska's catch provides jobs, feeds national and international markets.

• Author: Fick, Tyson
• Position: FISHERIES OP-ED

It doesn't take much to see the tremendous importance of the seafood industry in Alaska. The very existence of Alaska as a state is largely due to the influence of the fish business. Each year, seafood makes up about hall of Alaska's exports by value. The seafood industry is the largest employer in the state and, in many parts of Alaska, is one of few employment opportunities in largely subsistence economies. In fact, many coastal communities in Alaska might not be economically viable without the seafood industry. Commerce associated with landing fish, processing, and shipping them creates several positive externalities for local residents. Inbound shipping rates are cheaper because of the backhaul revenue provided by seafood. The industry also provides sufficient economies of scale for local utilities, commodity usage (fuel, etc.), and infrastructure projects such as roads and docks.

PREMIUM BRAND AND PRODUCT

Alaska seafood is recognized around the world as a premium brand and a premium product. That success is large]y due to the hard work of the industry and the support of government for proper science-based biological management, as well as funding for infrastructure and marketing.

Numbers associated with the industry in Alaska are impressive. According to a 2011 Northern Economics report commissioned by the Marine Conservation Alliance, in 2009 more than 53,000 workers were directly employed in the seafood industry, seafood processing accounted for 37 percent of the private sector employment in rural Alaska, one in 11 rural coastal residents was directly employed in the industry, and the total economic impact of the Alaska seafood industry was estimated to be $4.6 billion. The numbers coming in from 2010 and 2011 look to be even more impressive as Alaska fishermen have enjoyed high prices due to strong demand and solid statewide harvests.

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Alaska's place in the domestic seafood landscape is no less impressive. With more coastline than the rest of the country combined, Alaska annually produces more than hall of the seafood produced in the United States. Roughly 90 percent of the wild salmon harvested in any given year in North America is from Alaska waters. Despite large distances, sparse populations and a wide range of technical and logistical challenges presented by the natural environment, Alaska hosts six of the nation's top 20 seafood landing ports by volume. All over the coast of Alaska there is ongoing...