Published: May 9th, 2009 04:47 PM
Last Modified: May 9th, 2009 04:47 PM
KODIAK -- On-the-job fatalities in the United States last year dipped 6 percent to 5,488 people. That rate of 3.7 per 100,000 workers was the lowest since the government started tracking those statistics in 1992. Improved safety standards and job losses nationwide get much of the credit.
Commercial fishing topped the list with 38 deaths -- 112 out of 100,000, according to the National Census of Fatal Occupation Injuries. The "deadliest catch," was the West Coast Dungeness crab fishery, with 17 deaths.
Alaska fishing fatalities have plunged from nearly 40 a year in the early 1980s to an average of 11 these days, the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association said.
Separately, the first Copper River king and red salmon opener is Thursday. Three TV news crews are set to be on the grounds to cover the first catches of the famous fish.
Laine Welch is a Kodiak fisheries journalist. Her e-mail is msfish@alaska.com.
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