Alaska Salmon

Alaska salmon fishing is a huge industry, not only for the state but also for the United States as a whole. Alaska's fisheries have an average annual income of $11.2 billion and account for some 38% of the total value of the fish and seafood caught in the US. But long-term concerns regarding overfishing have led Alaska to implement conservation policies to protect its salmon stocks.

Alaska has not always had healthy salmon stocks. The expansion of the capacity of local canneries starting in 1920 led to rapid overfishing, such that by 1953 salmon stocks were so low Alaska was declared a federal disaster area. The decline was arrested after Alaska became a state in 1959 and implemented conservation measures. But the use of improved technology by commercial fishermen once again brought salmon stocks in 1972 to record-low levels. This forced Alaska to implement a limited entry permit system to regulate catches in salmon fisheries in 1973. Since then, stocks have rebounded as a result of the state's salmon management policies.

Alaska's constitution seeks to develop and maintain its fish and other renewable resources on "sustained yield" principles. The main goal of Alaskan conservation policy is "fixed escapement" or ensuring that enough adult spawning salmon escape capture and are allowed to breed in the rivers. This would ensure the long-term health of salmon stocks.

Conservation policies involve opening and closing fisheries depending on whether or not there are adequate spawning escapements. If runs are insufficient, the fisheries are closed to build up stocks. When runs are strong, managers allow more salmon to be caught by liberalizing harvest policies.

Alaska also regulates commercial salmon fishing using the limited entry permit system. This has protected the state from the migration of fishermen from the West Coast fisheries, where fishing opportunities have been limited by court decisions and lowered stock.

One important part of the conservation system is the division of responsibility for conservation and allocation between two agencies. The Alaskan Department of Fish and Game manages fisheries while the Alaska Board of Fisheries allocates salmon yields among users.

Perhaps most significantly, Alaska's conservation policies are overseen by local biologies who have the emergency powers to order opening and closing of fisheries. They make their decisions by monitoring returning salmon using a variety of methods, including aerial surveys, input from fishermen and sonar.

These policies have been successful in increasing Alaska's salmon stocks. No Alaskan salmon stocks are classified threatened or endangered. Another tribute to Alaska's conservation policies is the fact that they have been adopted by the Pacific Salmon Commission which manages salmon resources of Alaska, Oregon, Washington and the neighboring Canada.

Still, experts say that adult run sizes remain dependent on oceanographic factors beyond anyone's control. Increased escapes of farmed Atlantic Salmon from British Columbia also pose a threat to Alaska's wild stock in terms of diseases and competition. However, it seems clear that Alaska salmon fishing will continue to be an important part of the state's economy.

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