Seafood industry in Alaska remains healthy and stable

By Marleanna Hall

Dave Benton, Principal of Benton & Associates, provided an update at the November RDC Alaska Resources Conference of the seafood industry in Alaska. The industry continues to provide economic opportunities where they may otherwise not be available, Benton said. He noted the seafood industry is Alaska’s largest private sector employer, with nearly 81,000 direct and indirect jobs.

While not a growing industry, the seafood sector is a stable industry, Benton said. He highlighted Alaska’s contribution to global fisheries, noting Alaska provides 35 percent of the world’s wild salmon, and nearly one-fifth the garoundfish.

Benton noted some of the concerns facing the industry include mining, oil and gas development and drilling, the Endangered Species Act, and access to resources. He further explained that each industry across Alaska faces similar challenges in regard to regulatory, cultural, and political issues, but that RDC is a place where differences in views can be discussed honestly and in a way to find solutions.

Benton’s presentation included the Seafood Industry in Alaska’s Economy, a publication prepared for the Marine Conservation Alliance. The publication highlights the industry’s importance, on a global, national, and state level. Additionally, the publication points out the positive impacts and economic values the industry provides to many coastal villages and rural communities.

The seafood industry provides jobs and pays taxes, as well as improves infrastructure in many coastal villages.

To view the Fishing Industry in Alaska’s Economy, visit: http://www.akrdc.org/issues/fisheries/2011seafoodindustryreport.pdf

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