Economic Impact of the Alaska Pollock Fishery
These studies reflect real-world data from the majority of the industry - not assumptions. Combined with rigorous modeling, it delivers a detailed, transparent picture of Alaska Pollock’s economic reach. Links to the full studies below.
The Fishery Helps Keep Alaska Running
In 2023, the Alaska Pollock fishery generated over $2.5 billion in U.S. economic output:
$830+ million in Alaska
$960+ million in Washington
$116+ million in Oregon
$628+ million across the rest of the U.S.
This includes direct spending on vessels, processing, and labor, plus ripple effects from suppliers and local spending by workers.
The Alaska pollock industry created $1.1 billion in labor income nationwide in 2023. Nearly one-third - $337 million - went to Alaskans.
This isn’t just seasonal work. These are family-wage jobs that fuel local businesses and communities at home in Alaska.
In 2023, the fishery generated $21 million in taxes to the state, boroughs, and municipalities of Alaska.
This includes:
State fisheries business taxes
Fishery resource landing taxes
Local raw fish taxes
Seafood marketing assessments
These revenues fund essential public services that benefit all Alaskans.
Virtually every pound of Alaska pollock is used in marketable products. In 2023, Alaska-processed products were worth $1.7 billion, from fillets and surimi to roe, fish meal, and oil.
Alaska pollock processors convert virtually the entire Alaska pollock catch weight into marketable products. In 2023, the total value of Alaska-processed products - including fillets, surimi, roe, headed and gutted, minced, fish meal and oil - was estimated at $1.7 billion.
The final sales value produces economic benefits to rural Western Alaska communities through royalty payments and their more than 30% ownership of Alaska harvesting and processing entities.
A WIDESPREAD FOOTPRINT WITH STRONG ALASKAN ROOTS
The Alaska Pollock fishery supports more than 6,300 jobs - spanning harvesting, processing, and the businesses that support them.
Alaska’s share of the total jobs is greater than the jobs provided by the fishery in any other state - including the 5,466 combined jobs in Washington and Oregon.
Affordable shipping:
Without Alaska pollock, freight costs to rural Alaska would rise, cutting sailings to Dutch Harbor and other key ports. That means fewer groceries, building materials, and essentials for Western Alaska.
Fuel security:
Alaska pollock’s steady demand helps underwrite fuel deliveries. Without it, distributors would raise prices, cut service, and lay off workers - hitting Western and Northern Alaska hardest.
Market access:
The industry anchors shipping routes that other fisheries rely on. Without Alaska pollock, many Alaska seafood products could lose affordable access to domestic and international markets.
The Alaska pollock fishery is more than an industry - it’s an economic engine.
It sustains jobs, funds public services, powers rural communities, and ensures Alaska stays connected to the world.
The Alaska pollock industry doesn’t just feed the world.
It keeps Alaska connected.
The fishery enables other Alaskan seafood industries to access markets
The Alaska Pollock fishery creates economies of scale that keep freight rates down across the seafood sector.
Without it, other Alaska fisheries could lose access to domestic and international shipping services, leaving their products stranded and unable to reach key markets at sustainable costs.
Shipping companies may not be able to justify continued service to Alaska without the Alaska pollock industry anchoring the volume.
SUPPORTING WESTERN ALASKA COMMUNITIES
The Alaska pollock sector is a vital and valued economic partner to coastal Western Alaska communities through the Community Development Quota (CDQ) program.
