Fishing
Click HERE > to Download a VIDEO CLIP on Fishing. (4.03MB AVI)

"Commercial Fishing has framed the heritage of Alaskans for more than a century. Each year the seafood industry pumps approximately $3 billion into the state's economy. It is the state's largest private sector employer. Approximately one-fifth of Alaska employment is attributed to the seafood industry. Revenues generated by Alaska's seafood industry nearly equal the entire state operating budget. Alaska is a key player as a world supplier of seafood. If Alaska were a nation, it would rank as one of the top ten worldwide."

More than five billion pounds of seafood are harvested off Alaska each year, making up approximately 60% of all US production. The total value of Alaska seafood production has topped $2.5 billion annually for several years. The seafood industry is second only to the oil industry and its contributions to the state. Five types of salmon (Chinook, coho, sockeye, pink, and chum) are harvested commercially in Alaska waters. Tanner, king, and dungeness crab make up most of the shellfish harvest, but shrimp and other shellfish also contribute. Herring are harvested for roe (eggs), food, and bait. Pacific halibut from Alaska waters makes up most of the world's halibut supply.

Video Clip by: Alaska Video Postcards
Text by: The Fishing Industry (Pg. 4-12),
AK Division of Trade & Development (Seafood Industry),
The Alaska Almanac 19th Edition
Photo by: AK Division of Tourism
INDEX - Geography - Wildlife - People - Resources - Events - State Facts
Fast Facts - History - Government - Transportation - Climate - Communication