www.AKRDC.org 31 VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 3 | FALL 2024 Pipeline Construction & Maintenance | EPC Contracting Powerplant Construction | General Contracting Anchorage | Deadhorse | 907.278.4400 | www.pricegregory.com Thousands of Miles of Experience Committed to Client Satisfaction Dedicated to Safety Excellence “This makes it difficult for fishermen to switch from one fishery that may be under performing to a better performing fishery,” he wrote. Many fisheries are under stress, but Vincent-Lang sees signs of modest recovery in some areas. Halibut stocks are showing signs of improvement. Pacific cod in the Bering Sea was adversely affected by the 2016 marine heat wave, but is now holding steady. The pollock fishery remains strong and healthy. Bristol Bay red king crab stocks are increasing as are Tanner crab. Snow crab is also showing improvement and Dungeness crab stocks appeared to actually benefit from the 2016 marine heat wave, Vincent-Lang wrote. Salmon fisheries are a mixed bag. Sockeye runs are strong, while king salmon are weak, and pink salmon have been volatile with large even- and odd-year swings that makes planning difficult for harvesters and seafood processors. There is wide variability even in sockeye fisheries, with Bristol Bay runs strong and Kodiak and Chignik showing weakness. Science-based management strategies, based on escapement goals in the case of salmon, give the state the tools needed to manage these variations, Vincent-Lang wrote. In fact, science-based management has been at the core of state fisheries policy since Alaska became a state in 1959. The concept of sustained yield management to preserve fisheries and using tools like escapement is embedded in Alaska’s constitution. However, many problems are outside of Alaska’s ability to control, ocean conditions being the prime example. There’s also inflation, uncertainty over fuel costs and labor issues. These affect many industries including Alaska fish processing companies. Many Alaska seafood companies and harvesters are more vulnerable because they work in remote, high-cost locations, and this year there are thin economic margins. In domestic markets, seafood prices are under pressure because of consumers’ belief seafood is more expensive than other protein like chicken. Sensitivity among consumers is a problem in an economy where grocery prices have risen sharply. What complicates this is that in export markets, where Alaska has traditionally been strong, the strong U.S. dollar makes seafood imports from the U.S. expensive. The new ban on Russian seafood has taken effect and will create new market opportunities for Alaskans to fill the void in domestic markets. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute is positioned to organize a new marketing initiative, and the Legislature approved a $10 million special appropriation for this. Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed the funds from the state budget, however.
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