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
Fishermen from around the state gathered online last week for the ninth Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit (AYFS). The goal of AYFS is to educate new commercial fishermen in the business,…
Alaska Sea Grant has been attending the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle for at least four decades. This year, Alaska Sea Grant hosted a booth at the November 18–20 event…
Alaska Sea Grant will host the ninth Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit (AYFS) from December 6–9. Theresa Peterson will provide the keynote address. Peterson is an active subsistence and commercial fisherman…
Over 35 species of rockfish live in the waters off the coast of Alaska. Rockfish have been harvested for subsistence for thousands of years, and commercially and recreationally fished since…
As Alaska gears up for another fishing season in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Alaska Sea Grant is ready to assist seafood processors and commercial fishing operations with…
Alaska Sea Grant at the University of Alaska Fairbanks received a $450,000 donation from Northwest Farm Credit Services (NWFCS) to fund several programs that support Alaska’s commercial seafood harvesters, pillars of the state’s economy.
The “Young Fishermen’s Development Act” was signed into law on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The goal of the act is to “preserve United States fishing heritage through a national program…
By Davin Holen Each summer, around 13,000 workers from outside Alaska travel to the Bristol Bay region to participate in the world’s most valuable wild salmon fishery. How the fishery,…
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.
Business of Fishing – February 2026
February 23–February 27
See all Alaska Sea Grant workshops, classes, and conferences
You must be logged in to post a comment.