In Alaska, protecting the future of fish stocks and the environment takes priority over
opportunities for commercial harvest
Alaska’s precautionary approach ensures the needs of the stocks and ecosystem are
met, first and foremost
It’s constantly improving as new science becomes available
No species of Alaska seafood has ever been listed as endangered under the
Endangered Species Act
The federal government and the State of Alaska work together to monitor and protect
this pristine environment and to make sure that Alaska’s aquatic habitats and
ecosystems are protected from the impacts of development activities
The State of Alaska’s fish habitat protection statutes reflect Alaskans’ belief that fish
species and habitats are assets that must be protected from unnecessary or inadvertent
disturbance or destruction from human activities
Over 40 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been established to protect ecological
structure and function, locate control sites for scientific research studies, conserve
bottom habitat, protect vulnerable stocks, and preserve cultural resources
Of these 40 Marine Protected Areas, 31 prohibit either all commercial fishing
or all bottom contact gear, such as trawls
