Fisheries and FishBiz
Alaska’s fisheries are critical to its livelihood
Alaska is home to several of the largest and most valuable commercial, subsistence, and sport fisheries in the nation. Commercial fisheries in the federally managed waters of the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska produce the highest volumes of groundfish (pollock, cod, rockfish, sablefish, and flatfish) in the country, close to 2 million metric tons per year, valued in 2013 in excess of $2 billion.
Wild salmon fisheries range from Ketchikan in the south to Kotzebue, north of the Arctic Circle. In 2014, the commercial catch of salmon in Alaska totaled more than 717 million fish worth $576 million.
Crab fisheries in the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska and Southeastern are annually valued at over $280 million with halibut fisheries contributing over $140 million.
Subsistence fishing is critical to the cultural as well as economic well-being of the more than 100,000 Alaska Natives and non-Natives living in rural Alaska. Four percent of fish harvested in Alaska is used for subsistence purposes.
Sport fishing is also important, occurring in saltwater and freshwater regions of Alaska.
How Alaska Sea Grant helps fisheries
The Marine Advisory Program provides information and technical assistance to Alaskans involved in commercial, subsistence and sport fishing. We coordinate workshops, carry out applied research, and publish materials of interest to fishermen.
Fisheries Explorer map
Visit the interactive Fisheries Explorer map to learn about various commercial fisheries around the state, including harvest seasons, commercial access, gear types, and links to more in-depth information. The results can be filtered by region, species, gear types, and more.
News
The Copper River Delta hosts some of the most valuable fisheries in Alaska. However, the region lies at the edge of the Gulf of Alaska, where currents bring a seemingly…
Starting out as a commercial fisherman can be intimidating. Long hours, rough weather and the demands of working in close quarters make the job challenging. Training for young crewmembers can…
The 11th Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit is set for January 20–22, 2026, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall in Juneau. The Alaska Sea Grant event provides commercial fishermen who are early in…
Alaska Sea Grant has received funding to support five new and continuing workforce development programs in the areas of seafood harvesting and processing, as part of the state’s Technical and…
Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States, with a fatality rate 23 times higher than the national average. Alaska’s salmon fisheries are among the…
It’s no secret that seafood is a big deal in Alaska. In 2024, commercial seafood production contributed an estimated $6 billion to Alaska’s economy and employed over 17,000 Alaskans. For…
Alaska Sea Grant serves, in part, as a convener, bringing people together for important and productive conversations on a broad range of topics relevant to coastal life in Alaska. The…
The first workshop in a series focused on understanding and addressing the societal impacts of oil spills was recently held in Anchorage, Alaska, with participation from the Alaska and Mississippi-Alabama…
FishBiz includes financial and business tools, resources, and training for Alaska commercial seafood harvesters. Find information on starting and managing your business, growing and diversifying, and planning an exit strategy.
Visit Fishbiz >
Upcoming training
Click or tap a course title to see details.
2026 Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit
January 20, 2026–January 22, 2026Business of Fishing – February 2026
February 23, 2026–February 27, 2026
See all Alaska Sea Grant workshops, classes, and conferences
You must be logged in to post a comment.