ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – While salmon remains a cornerstone of Alaska’s fishing identity, the Alaska pollock fishery is proving to be a major economic driver in the region. Operating mainly in U.S. waters of the eastern Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska, this fishery supports thousands of jobs and contributes significantly to the state’s financial health, according to recent research. n nRon Rogness, director of industry relations and fishery analysis at Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers, detailed the findings, noting that 2,869 individuals are directly employed in harvesting or processing activities tied to the fishery. An additional 3,450 jobs are sustained indirectly through in-state expenditures by pollock-related businesses. n nIn 2023, these positions generated approximately $337 million in income for Alaskan residents. When factoring in broader economic ripple effects, the total impact rises substantially. The study attributes $832 million in economic activity within Alaska to the pollock industry. This includes vessel maintenance, crew provisions, and procurement of fishing equipment. n nRogness expressed admiration for the scale of the fishery’s influence, emphasizing its role beyond just employment—it supports local supply chains, infrastructure, and community stability across coastal regions. n
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Study shows impact Alaska Pollock Fishery has on economy
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – There few fish that can challenge the mighty salmon’s necessity to Alaska, but if one fish could, it might be the Alaska pollock. n nAlaska’s pollock fishery is in U.S. water in the eastern Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska primarily. n nNow, a new pair of studies is shining a light on how important the fish is to the state. n nIn terms of economic output, the findings point toward the industry impacting around 6,000 jobs for the Last Frontier, Ron Rogness, Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers director of industry relations, partnerships and fishery analysis, explained. n n“What the analysis found is that in Alaska, there were 2,869 jobs associated with the fishery, that’s directly employed in either the harvesting or processing sector,” Rogness started. “Then another 3,450 jobs are associated with the fishery based on the purchases that Alaska Pollock companies make within the state of Alaska.” n nFor the residents of Alaska, according to the study, those jobs generated around $337 million in income in 2023. n nAnd when looking at the economic impact as a whole for the state, including indirect impacts, that number more than doubles. n n“I was certainly impressed about the sheer numbers. And in terms of economic output, $832 million of economic activity in the state of Alaska is attributable to the Alaskan Pollock Fishery,” Rogness said. n nThat number includes things like the cost of work being done on vessels, things bought for crew members and fishing supplies. n nSee a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com