Anchorage Daily News

KODIAK -- Looking back at my past "fish retrospectives," I found it striking that the same introduction written five years ago still applies today:

"Commercial fishing in Alaska remains a vibrant industry that each year provides more than half of our nation's seafood. Alaska's fish stocks are the envy of other countries around the world, and its management programs are regarded as a model for sustainability."

What more needs to be said?

Here is a sampler of Alaska seafood industry highlights from 2007, in no particular order, followed by my annual picks of top fish stories:

• The Alaska "brand" became a poster child for seafood healthfulness and purity at a time when food contaminants, especially from China, made world headlines.

• "Wild" became a bigger draw than "organic," according to national consumer surveys. Nearly 40 percent of Americans said they stopped buying particular foods in response to safety concerns, compared to 9 percent in 2005.

• Omega 3 fatty acids became the hottest food additive, and scientists said omegas from wild fish are best.

• Alaska's salmon harvest produced 212 million fish, making it the fourth-largest catch on record. The dockside fishery value of $374 million is an increase of $28 million from 2006.

• Prices also were up for salmon fishing permits across the state.

• The world's first solar powered salmon fishery operated all summer at Lummi Island, Wash. Reef netters used solar panels to charge batteries that run the fishing gear.

• Alaska halibut prices started out in March at $5 a pound in major ports and remained in "nose bleed" range for the eight-month season. Halibut quota shares in prime areas (Central Gulf) were fetching $27 per pound and could go higher, brokers said.

• Bering Sea red king crab quota shares were on the board at $28 to $30 per pound; snow crab was closer to $10.

• Dutch Harbor held onto its ranking as the nation's No. 1 port for the 18th year in a row. Kodiak remained at fourth place.

• Construction began on a new, ultra-modern marine facility at Dutch Harbor, replacing docks and buildings that date back to World War II.

• Another groundbreaking at Ketchikan saw the start of the Oceans Alaska Marine Science Center, which aims to expand Alaska shellfish growing into a global industry.

• The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Exxon Mobil's final appeal of the $2.5 billion punitive damages award from the 1989 Prince William Sound oil spill. A hearing is set for mid-February.

• Federal policymakers advanced plans to expand a U.S. "open ocean" aquaculture industry in waters from three to 200 miles from shore. Alaska was granted an opt-out option.

• The U.S. had an $8 billion seafood trade deficit, and imported 80 percent of its seafood, mostly from fish farms.

• Impacts of global warming on Alaska fisheries leaped to the forefront: pollock and snow crab heading north to colder waters; crustacean shells dissolving from ocean acids.

• The program "Deadliest Catch" became Discovery Channel's most popular show ever, giving rock star status to the Bering Sea crab fisheries.

• Japanese -- and Alaska -- giants Maruha and Nichiro merged to form one of the world's largest seafood companies.

• The purchase of Icicle Seafoods by San Francisco-based private equity firm Fox Paine III was regarded by many as a sign of confidence in Alaska's seafood industry.

• Ballot initiatives, petitions and proposed laws were launched as means to block development of the huge Pebble copper deposit near Bristol Bay.

• President Bush lifted the ban on oil and gas drilling in Bristol Bay and the eastern Bering Sea; first lease bids are set for 2011.

• FBI raids and subpoenas involve investigations of "fishy" political favors.

• The average age of Alaska commercial fishermen was 47. Nearly 40 percent were nonresidents.

• Alaska's seafood industry continued to provide more jobs than oil and gas, mining, agriculture and forestry combined.

18TH ANNUAL FISH PICKS

• Best fish 'crat: Denby Lloyd, Alaska Department of Fish and Game commissioner.

• Best friend to the environment fish story: Marine Conservation Alliance marine-debris cleanup program.

• Scariest fish story: ocean acidification.

• Biggest fish folly: Sig Hansen, skipper of the crabber Northwestern on "Deadliest Catch," promoting rival Russian king crab.

• Best fish fast-track: The state pushing for a quicker and closer look at the Bering Sea crab ratz plan.

• Best new fish-product: bio-LEDs made from salmon sperm DNA.

• Best new fish term: Co-products, instead of by-products; credit Peter Bechtel of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

• Baddest fish attitude: FBI investigations into "fishy" business and political favors.

• Fond fish farewell: Dr. Bill Hogarth, departing as head of NOAA Fisheries.

• Most promising fish story: The Alaska king crab enhancement project, which aims to revitalize stocks at Kodiak and St. Paul.

• Best fish partnership: Fish and Game, UAA/UAF and Sea Grant for efforts to recruit young Alaskans into fishery science and management careers.

• Best "eat fish" ambassadors: Patty Luckhurst of Dillingham, Chris Sannito of Kodiak, Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers for getting top quality fish into school lunch programs.

• Best fishing reality teaching tool: Former Bering Sea crabber Aleutian Ballad, now launching pots for tourists at Ketchikan.

• Best new Alaska salmon customer: Global food-aid programs, thanks to Bruce Schactler and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.

• Best "give credit where it's due" fish story: U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski for championing tax relief for Exxon Valdez plaintiffs; U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens for getting fishermen included in the Farm Bill.

• Best fish story of the year: Projects by the state and the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference to get better labor data for seafood harvesters.

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 week. As of her next column, it will move to Sunday's paper. This material is protected by copyright. For information on reprinting or placing on your Web site or newsletter, contact msfish@alaska.com.

ADVERTISEMENT