Alaska Fishing

Catches are still trickling in but Alaska's 2007 salmon harvest is already one for the record books.

As of Sept. 7 the total tally had topped 200 million fish, making it the fifth-largest salmon harvest in history. Preseason forecasts pegged the 2007 harvest at 180 million fish, up 21 percent from the previous year.

Powering the 2007 season: pinks.

Strong runs throughout the Gulf produced hefty hauls in the primary production regions of Southeast Alaska, Kodiak and especially Prince William Sound, where the catch topped 60 million pinks to set an all-time record. The statewide harvest of roughly 135 million pink salmon, compared to 73 million last year, ranks second to the largest catch of 161 million pink salmon taken in 2005.

Alaska's sockeye salmon harvest of 47 million ranks eighth since the turn of the last century. Nearly 30 million of the total red take came from Bristol Bay.

"It's the fourth year in a row that the Alaska sockeye catch has topped 40 million. That's only happened 14 times in the history of the state," said market analyst Chris McDowell. Alaska's largest sockeye salmon catch was 64 million taken in 1993.

"Sockeye and pinks are the big success stories for this season. Chinook, coho and chum salmon (runs) weren't as strong as we were expecting, but there were still pretty good harvests," said Geron Bruce, assistant state director of commercial fisheries.

Chum salmon catches might reach 16 million, out of a projected 25 million fish. For chinook, or king, salmon, a statewide harvest of 498,000 is well below the forecast of 789,000 fish.

Bruce said cohos are still coming in, but those runs have been a bit disappointing statewide. The total take so far of 2.6 million silvers is down by nearly half of the preseason projected catch.

State number crunchers are busy calculating the value of Alaska's 2007 salmon season, but it's safe to say it will continue its upward trend.

The higher catches and an uptick in salmon prices across the board will boost the dockside value above last year's $346 million for a harvest of 141 million fish.

Bruce said all signs point to continuing bountiful catches throughout Alaska.

"We're in the highest period of sustained commercial salmon harvests in Alaska history, and it's continuing. That's the key thing," he said.

Alaska's all-time record salmon catch was 221 million fish taken in 2005.

• Health care and fishermen.

Alaska commercial fishermen face added burdens when it comes to getting good health care coverage.

A study by the United Fishermen of Alaska reveals that Alaska fishermen are nearly four times more likely than other residents to work or live in a community without a hospital, and are less likely to carry medical insurance.

"Some don't even have a clinic, and few have a hospital. That means Alaska fishermen have the added burden of travel costs added to the costs of getting the medical treatments they need," said UFA executive director Mark Vinsel, who compiled the health care study. "We think that Alaska fishermen are among the most underserved demographics in the state."

Alaska residents are further challenged because the state is served by far fewer private insurance companies that offer individual or small business medical coverage than other states. Alaska also has the highest health care costs in the nation.

The UFA study reveals that when it comes to health issues, fishermen are good candidates for coverage.

"All the health insurance providers ask first if people use tobacco or if they are obese. Most fishermen don't smoke compared to the general population and they are lean, hard working people. In the competitive insurance marketplace, it may be a bargain to provide coverage," Vinsel said. He added that injuries at sea are covered by the Alaska Fishermen's Fund, with some limitations.

UFA is also concerned that lack of access to affordable health care will force young people to opt out of fishing.

"Lack of health insurance is a significant barrier to entry for the next generation of commercial fishermen. As the fleet continues to 'gray,' there is ultimately a threat to domestic seafood harvests and communities that depend on fishing businesses," said UFA president Joe Childers.

UFA will refine its preliminary health care data and work with other national fishing groups and elected state and federal officials to further the cause.

Meanwhile, Vinsel said some fishermen might find relief from a bill introduced to the Alaska Legislature last session by Sen. Hollis French of Anchorage.

SB 160, which would provide subsidized health care for people meeting federal income guidelines, was set for a joint Health and Education/Labor and Commerce committee hearing this week.

Find the UFA study at http://www.ufa-fish.org/doc/healthcare2007.pdf.

Laine Welch is a Kodiak-based fisheries journalist. Her Fish Radio programs can be heard on stations around the state. Her information column appears every other Saturday. This material is protected by copyright. For information on reprinting or placing on your Web site or newsletter, contact msfish@alaska.com.

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