Sitka Seafood
Sitka is the largest boating community in Alaska and one of the largest ports in the world for commercial fishing. Hundreds of fishing boats are berthed in and operate out of Sitka during the summer and winter fishing seasons. In 2009, Sitka ranked as the 9th largest port in the United States for the ex-vessel value of seafood harvested.
Most of the favorite edible seafood species found in Alaska, can be harvested in Sitka waters; including ling cod, shrimp, scallops, and several varieties of crab. However, the commercial seafood industry in Sitka is focused mainly on salmon, herring, halibut, and sablefish (black cod), with smaller shellfish harvests.
Both commercial and sport fisheries play a big role in Sitka's economy. Of the local population, aged sixteen and over, 19 percent is directly involved in the seafood industry.
Commercial Seafood Industry - Economic Impact (2010)
- Resident commercial fishing permit holders (active) = 563
- Commercial fishing vessels home ported in Sitka = 615
- Resident commercial fishing crew = 552
- Quantity of seafood purchased from harvesters = 94 million pounds
- Ex-Vessel value of seafood harvested = $88.4 million
- First wholesale value of seafood processed in Sitka = $140 million
- Raw fish tax (these revenues directly support City harbors) = $917,991
To serve the commercial fishing fleet and other vessel owners, Sitka has marine industry support businesses including: boat builders and shipwrights, marine electronics, general marine repair, welding and fabrication, fishing gear sales, heating and refrigeration, industrial sewing, painting, fiberglass repair, parts and equipment sales, and marine safety equipment and training. CLICK HERE to view the Sitka Marine Industries Directory website.
Sport Fishing Industry - Economic Impact
| Charter Fishing | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Businesses | 124 |
106 |
95 |
| Vessels | 198 |
167 |
156 |
| Number of Trips | 10,397 |
6,930 |
7,296 |
Fish Box Tax * |
$185,432 |
$162,475 |
$107,800 |
(Source: Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Sport Fishing Department)
* NOTE: Fish box tax revenues are received by the City and Borough of Sitka one year after collection by the State. The fish box taxes listed above are for the year the City received the funds. So the $185,432 recieved in 2008 were actually from the 2007 charter fishing season.
Learn More about the economic impact of charter fishing in Sitka.
DOWNLOAD "Sitka Charter Fishing Vistior Profile and Impact Analysis," 2005 McDowell Group report
(PDF, 1.4 MB)
Support Industry
Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA)
2008 Economic Impact
- Ex-vessel value for chum harvested by Sitka resident commercial permit holders = $2.1 million.*
- Additional indirect economic contributions (i.e. support sector labor income) = $1.1 million.
- Spending on goods and services in support of hatchery operations in Sitka = $2 million.
- NSRAA chinook and coho salmon account for seven percent of sport harvests and approximately $1 million in direct and indirect economic contributions to Sitka’s economy.
- In 2008, NSRAA generated an annual average of 36 jobs, with a total payroll of approximately $1.5 million annually.
- NSRAA also contributes salmon for subsistence, cultural, and educational purposes.
* These are conservative estimates of NSRAA’s local economic impact because they relate only to the chum harvest by Sitka residents. Sitka residents also commercially harvest NSRAA Chinook salmon.
Learn More about the contributions and economic impact of NSRAA.
DOWNLOAD "Economic Impacts of Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association," 2009 McDowell Group report (PDF, 552 kb)
VISIT the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute website to learn more about the value of Alaska's wild seafood.
The second annual Sitka Seafood Festival was held in May 2011. VISIT the Sitka Seafood Festival website.
