FOR RELEASE: Updated Report Reinforces Economic Impact of Alaska Seafood Industry
Report: Alaska Seafood Industry Responsible for Employing 41,800 Workers, $1.9 Billion in Labor Income and $5.3 Billion in Economic Impact in Alaska (7% of Alaska’s GDP)
JUNEAU, Alaska. May 13, 2026 — The 2026 Economic Value of Alaska’s Seafood Industry report recognizes the Alaska seafood industry as a cornerstone of Alaska’s economy. The new report, using data from 2023 and 2024, covers a period of significant market pressure for Alaska’s seafood sector. Even amid these challenges, the industry supported more than 41,800 jobs and generated $5.2 billion in economic activity statewide.
“Seafood continues to be one of Alaska’s most important economic drivers, contributing about 7% to Alaska’s GDP,” said Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) Executive Director Jeremy Woodrow.
“While the past few years have brought real challenges for fishermen, processors, and coastal communities, the latest economic report shows that Alaska seafood remains a foundational industry that supports jobs, businesses, economies and communities across Alaska.”
The report highlights the industry’s continued role in delivering economic value for Alaska:
- Alaska fishermen harvested an average of 5.1 billion pounds of seafood, worth $1.5 billion at the dock.
- Processors transformed this harvest into 2.4 billion pounds of finished product valued at $4.2 billion, adding $2.7 billion in value through processing and distribution.
- The seafood industry directly employed 41,800 workers in Alaska, equivalent to 24,100 average annual jobs (the number of people working each month averaged across the twelve months of a year).
- More than 15,000 Alaskans from over 120 communities worked in the industry.
- Total Alaska labor income generated by the sector reached $1.9 billion, including multiplier effects.
The seafood industry also supports a wide network of businesses and communities across the state:
- 59% of the industry’s skippers, active permit holders, and crew were Alaska residents, totaling 10,900 fishermen.
- Alaska resident commercial fishermen (either skippers or crew) lived in all 30 Alaska boroughs and census areas. Coastal areas had the highest numbers, but over 1,100 commercial fishermen reside in the Municipality of Anchorage and over 600 in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
- Commercial fishing and processing businesses contributed more than $125 million in taxes, regulatory fees, and industry self-assessments in 2024.
- For many rural Alaska communities, seafood remains one of the largest sources of employment, wages, and local tax revenue.
Alaska’s seafood industry is also a major contributor to the nation’s seafood supply and economy:
- Alaska harvest accounts for roughly 63% of total U.S. seafood landings, producing more wild-caught seafood than all other states combined and representing about 1% of global seafood production.
- Nationwide, Alaska seafood supports 55,400 annual jobs, generates $3.4 billion in labor income, and contributes $7.4 billion in economic value to the U.S. economy.
The report analyzes data from 2023 and 2024, a period that saw the lowest ex-vessel value for Alaska seafood since 2000 amid a combination of global market pressures and changing supply conditions. Despite these challenges, the report also highlights the industry’s enduring importance, particularly for Alaska’s coastal communities.
Woodrow emphasized that the industry’s long-term fundamentals remain strong.
“Global demand for high-quality, responsibly harvested seafood continues to grow,” Woodrow said. “Alaska’s wild fisheries are resilient and among the best managed in the world, and the Alaska Seafood brand remains highly trusted by consumers. There are a significant number of positive indicators in the global market, and Alaska seafood is well-positioned to regain momentum.”
Originally published in 2013 and updated in 2015, 2017, 2020, 2022 and 2024, the Economic Value of Alaska’s Seafood Industry report is prepared by McKinley Research Group for ASMI. The full report, as well as a one-sheet summary of key economic data, can be found at ASMI’s Resources webpage (www.alaskaseafood.org/resources) and are linked below. Printed copies are available upon request.
- The Economic Value of Alaska’s Seafood Industry April 2026 full report (PDF)
- The Economic Value of Alaska’s Seafood February 2026 one-sheet (PDF)
Contact:
Greg Smith, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
(907) 465-5562, [email protected]
