Performance Details

Department of Fish and Game - Commercial Fisheries

• Return to Departments
• Department of Fish and Game website

Mission

The mission of the Division of Commercial Fisheries is to manage subsistence, commercial, and personal use fisheries in the interest of the economy and general well-being of the citizens of the state, consistent with the sustained yield principle, and subject to allocations through public regulatory processes.

Core Services

• Ensure the conservation of natural stocks of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants based on scientifically sound assessments.

Mission Results	Core Services
A: Stable or increasing economic and social benefits derived from the harvest and use of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in Alaska. Details > TARGET #1: Maintain total annual value of commercial harvests at over $1 billion annually. TARGET #2: Achieve the Amounts Necessary for Subsistence (ANS) established by the Board of Fisheries in 70% of subsistence fisheries.	A1: Ensure the conservation of natural stocks of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants based on scientifically sound assessments. Details > TARGET #1: Achieve salmon escapement goals in 80% of monitored systems.

Performance Detail

Target #1: Maintain total annual value of commercial harvests at over $1 billion annually. Methodology: Exvessel values are calculated using a combination of aggregated price point per species derived from the Commercial Operators Annual Report, fish ticket databases and annual fishery harvest summary reports. Beginning in 2016 Alaska mariculture value is no longer collected or included in the 2016 value total. Exvessel Value of Commercial Harvests in Alaska Year Total Value Target 2023 $1,277 $1,000 2022 $1,742 $1,000 2021 $1,786 $1,000 2020 $1,626 $1,000 2019 $1,746 $1,000 2018 $1,641 $1,000 2017 $1,997 $1,000 2016 $1,783 $1,000 2015 $1,932 $1,000 2014 $1,984 $1,000 2013 $2,094 $1,000 2012 $2,172 $1,000 2011 $2,228 $1,000 2010 $1,764 $1,000 2009 $1,501 $1,000 2008 $1,967 $1,000 2007 $1,789 $1,000 2006 $1,426 $1,000 2005 $1,353 $1,000 2004 $1,233 $1,000 2003 $1,100 $1,000 2002 $1,074 $1,000 2001 $1,040 $1,000 Analysis of results and challenges: The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) contributes to the success of the seafood industry through its scientific management of the various fisheries resources. Scientific management practices allow for the largest harvests that can be biologically sustained over time. ADF&G also plays a vital role by the adoption of regulations and fisheries management plans, in conjunction with the Alaska Board of Fisheries, fishermen, and processors, that provide orderly fisheries producing high quality products in a cost effective manner for utilization by the seafood industry. Target Last Modified: 09/20/2024

Target #2: Achieve the Amounts Necessary for Subsistence (ANS) established by the Board of Fisheries in 70% of subsistence fisheries. Methodology: The data presented are gathered from a variety of sources as each data set is compiled for individual and autonomous studies. These sources include Alaska Department of Fish and Game household surveys administered by the Division of Subsistence, various permits systems employed by the Division of Subsistence, and data compiled by the Division of Commercial Fisheries. Percent of Fisheries Within Amounts Necessary for Subsistence Year Percent of fisheries Rep Target 2022 50% 70% 2021 25% 70% 2020 25% 70% 2019 50% 70% 2018 38% 70% 2017 50% 70% 2016 50% 70% 2015 63% 70% 2014 63% 70% 2013 63% 70% 2012 50% 70% 2011 63% 70% 2010 63% 70% 2009 50% 70% 2008 63% 70% 2007 57% 70% 2006 75% 70% 2005 50% 70% 2004 67% 70% 2003 67% 70% 2002 50% 70% 2001 40% 70% Analysis of results and challenges: Data provided by the Division of Subsistence for the following subsistence fisheries: Yukon and Kuskokwim River salmon, Kuskokwim Bay salmon, Bristol Bay salmon, Kvichak River drainage salmon, Alaska Peninsula salmon, Port Graham-Koyuktolik area salmon, Chignik area salmon, Glennallen Subdistrict salmon, and Sitka Sound subsistence herring. Subsistence data is collected post season through household surveys and consequently lags the harvest by up to a year. Salmon runs in the Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim region are variable, some are now providing adequate surpluses for subsistence use, but the Yukon River and Kuskokwim River Chinook salmon runs have been poor and some subsistence users have not been able to harvest adequate fish for their needs. In some cases, limited commercial fisheries are also occurring. Increased costs, especially for gasoline, may be reducing subsistence fishing activities. Decreases in earnings from commercial fisheries in some regions mean subsistence fishermen do not have money for gas, nets, and other equipment needed for subsistence fishing. Target Last Modified: 05/30/2024

Target #1: Achieve salmon escapement goals in 80% of monitored systems. Methodology: Regional tabulation of the monitored systems that are within or above the goal range. Salmon Escapement Goals Achieved Year Goals Achieved Target 2023 74% 80% 2022 67% 80% 2021 70% 80% 2020 65% 80% 2019 78% 80% 2018 67% 80% 2017 83% 80% 2016 72% 80% 2015 88% 80% 2014 77% 80% 2013 76% 80% 2012 69% 80% 2011 77% 80% 2010 76% 80% 2009 71% 80% 2008 74% 80% 2007 90% 80% 2006 90% 80% 2005 87% 80% 2004 85% 80% 2003 86% 80% 2002 86% 80% 2001 85% 80% Analysis of results and challenges: Managing commercial, subsistence, and personal use harvests in ways that protect the reproductive potential of fish stocks is the most basic responsibility of the Division of Commercial Fisheries (Division). The Division`s success in performing this function is the most direct indicator of program success, as well as the best indicator of continued healthy fish stocks. Success in achieving salmon escapement goals is probably the most common measure of success that salmon managers and research staff apply to their own performance. Salmon escapement goals are set at levels of escapement that support sustained yield, above levels for which a stock has consistently demonstrated its ability to sustain itself; therefore, not meeting an escapement goal does not imply risk to the viability of the stock. The Division annually deploys and operates numerous weirs, counting towers, and sonar sites to conduct escapement counts. Aerial and foot surveys are also used extensively in the absence of other means of counting escapement. In 2023, there were 257 salmon escapement goals in Alaska. Of the stocks with goals, 216 were adequately assessed in 2023 and of those, 74% met or exceeded their escapement goal. For Chinook salmon, there are currently 51 escapement goals. Despite harvest restrictions for Chinook salmon, challenges in meeting escapement goals have persisted since 2008 (average 52%), with 2023 being the lowest on record with a decrease to 30%. For pink salmon, there are currently 35 escapement goals in even years. In 2023, 86% of the pink salmon goals were met or exceeded, which was a decrease from 94% in 2021. There are currently 75 sockeye escapement goals and 91% were met or exceeded in 2023, which is similar to 2022. There was an increase in the percentage of meeting escapement goals for chum and coho salmon in 2023 compared to 2022. For coho salmon, 83% of the escapement goals were met or exceeded - up 23% from 2022. For chum salmon, 73% of the goals were met or exceeded - an increase from <50% between 2020 and 2022. Target Last Modified: 09/20/2024

Last refreshed: 05/22/2025 08:00 am