FISH, COMMERCIAL

Alaska leads the nation in quantity of commercial seafood landings. In 1991 Alaska's catch was over 4 times greater than that amount landed by fishermen in Louisiana, the second ranking state.

The twin ports of Dutch Harbor-Unalaska ranked number one in the nation for seafood landings in 1991, with total landings in excess of 731.9 million pounds.

United States commercial landings of salmon were 783.3 million pounds in 1991 - Alaska accounted for 93 percent of the total landings.

The 1991 United States pack of natural Pacific salmon was 4.1 million standard cases (195.7 million pounds) valued at $413 million. Alaskan plants accounted for 94 percent in quantity and 95 percent in value of the salmon pack. Canned salmon represents 59 percent of all retail salmon volume.

In 1991, 32,594 major commercial fishing permits were issued for Alaska fisheries. Over 78 percent of the permit owners were state residents. Alaska residents owned more than three quarters of the 17,580 vessels participating in state fisheries. In addition, nearly 35,000 crew members were licensed to participate in commercial fisheries in Alaska. There were 559 processors and buyers licensed in Alaska during 1991, providing approximately 17,400 jobs.

The 1992 season produced a record sockeye catch of over 58 million fist worth over $445 million. This record sockeye season included the second largest catch in Upper Cook Inlet's history, and the third largest catch in Bristol Bay's history.

The 1991 Alaska herring harvest was valued at approximately $27 million to commercial fisherman, while preliminary 1992 figures indicate earnings of about $32 million.

Halibut landings in 1992 were in the 48-50 million pound range.

Groundfish harvest continues to rise. Alaska pollock increased 34 percent to 3.2 billion pounds in 1990, more than three times higher than the 1985-1989 five-year average.

The 1991 shellfish harvest alone was nearly double the commercial harvests taken in 1990, which had been a record year with catches of 160 million pounds worth nearly $100 million.