Natural Resources
Wildlife and fish abound including all five species of Pacific Salmon, grizzly bears, bald eagles and many species of migratory birds. Nature-based tourism generated over $70 million in the Sitka area in 2005.
Sitka also has State permits to export 26 million gallons per day of pristine, fresh water. The local government is developing a marine industrial park that includes a large capacity water delivery system. This project will allow Sitka to market its abundant fresh water to the world.
Commercial Fishing
The commercial fishing fleet in Sitka harvest thousands of tons of a variety of seafoods 
like including salmon, halibut, black cod, lingcod, crab, shrimp, herring, and sea cucumbers. The fish processing industry in Sitka has been and continues to be a major component of Sitka's economic base. These plants take the raw seafoods of the bountiful Alaska waters and process it into consumer-sized portions for both the frozen and fresh seafood markets.
VIEW some of the action from the 2009 Sitka Sound Herring Sac Roe Fishery. Crazy boating.
In recent years, Sitka's broad seafood industry has begun to specialize in the fresh fish markets of the world's finest restaurants. It is not uncommon for Sitka salmon to be featured at many backyard barbeques across the nation.
Seafood Harvest
* Sitka ranks 6th largest port by value, 19th largest port by volume in US (2007).
* Sitka processed +25% of total Southeast region landing by value in 2007.
Total Pounds Landed & Gross Earnings
from Commercial Fisheries For Sitka Residents, 2006
Major Products Total Pounds Landed / Gross Earnings
Salmon 16.7.5 million / $13.4 million
Halibut 3.4 million / $12.3 million
Sablefish 4.1 million / $9.5 million
Herring 2.0 million / $618,161
Other Shellfish 285,017 / $688,269
Other Groundfish 255,812 / $195,137
Crab 406,794 / $686,870
All fisheries combined 28.4 million / $37.6 million
NOTE: Totals excludes confidential fisheries where 3 or less people or permits are involved
Source: AK Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
Sitka Land-based Processor Production:
Pounds / Value (Ex-vessel)
Salmon 27.7 million / $24.9 million
Non-salmon 13.5 million / $33.7 million
Total 41.2 million / $58.6 million
First Wholesale:
Pounds / Value
Salmon 22.2 million / $48.5 million
Non-salmon 11.5 million / $44.4 million
Total 33.7 million / $92.9 million
Bulk Water Export
The City and Borough of Sitka accepts proposals and/or bids from companies or individuals wishing to purchase any amount of raw water for bulk export. The total water available per year is 29,000 acre feet or 9.5 billion gallons. The source of the water is Blue Lake, a body of water fed by glacier, snow melt and rain precipitation. The waters of Blue Lake are known for its pure qualities. The City supplies drinking water from the same lake and is able to meet surface water treatment rules without filtration. CLICK HERE to learn more about this bulk water opportunity.
Forest
Sitka and the Tongass National Forest: Sitka is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, a 17-million acre forest unit - the world's largest temperate forest. Over 90% of the lands in the City and Borough of Sitka are in the Tongass, with large wilderness areas and almost no developed lands.
Subsistence
Sitka maintains rural status that allows its residents to hunt, fish, and gather food on Federal public lands. Commonly-harvested food for subsistence/personal use are:
* fish (salmon, halibut, lingcod, rockfish & herring)
* land mammals (deer, mountain goat, bear)
* shellfish, mushrooms, berries, seaweeds
