Fishing is hard. I’m not talking catching the winning Salmon Derby fish on your first outing hard, or learning a new language hard. I’m talking about an occupation requiring total commitment as a calling or vocation. To be successful as a commercial fisherman, one has to be more than a little interested; one has to be 100 percent invested financially, mentally and with every waking moment. The curse of Alaskan reality TV has many down south thinking the Deadliest Catch is the norm in the industry. In the course of my job I often respond to emails of naïve and misguided potential “greenhorns”, looking for information where to sign on to fishing vessels; all without any experience, presumably looking for adventure and to satisfy a testosterone challenge.
Commercial fishermen skippers are not reality TV movie stars. Successful skippers are, however, pretty decent biologists, meteorologists, oceanographers, engineers, mechanics, human relation consultants, risk managers, accountants, and if you have ever read the volumes of federal and state fisheries regulations — policemen and lawyers. Certainly, today’s commercial fisherman must be jack-of-all-trades and masters of finding fish. Finding fish is the ultimate end game, but unfortunately landing fully laden vessels does not guarantee profitability. Worldwide market forces establish fish prices – but also determine fixed overhead cost such as diesel, insurance, fishing permits, ship repair and moorage charges that all eat into the bottom line. I’ve often thought commercial fishers would benefit financially by collectively reducing their catch to raise the market price. But commercial fisherman do what is in their DNA... they catch fish. They are fiercely independent and not an amalgamation of monolithic thinkers. They are however an important sector to the Juneau economy and merit appropriate nurturing.
In 2010, Juneau was a respectable 35th in the country on the list of largest fishing port by value, with $23.8M. This equates to 16 million pounds of seafood landed. Not surprisingly, salmon species make up three-quarters of the volume, but only half of the ex-Vessel value (price paid to captain & crew). An interesting factoid is that sablefish makes up only 3 percent of the volume but 21 percent of the ex-vessel value. If you’re keeping score at home, Sitka was 9th on the list at $51.3M and statewide the commercial harvest is valued at a formidable $1.2B. Within SEAK, the commercial fisheries estimated workforce is 10,150 jobs, making it the largest single private employment sector. According to records maintained by the United Fishermen of Alaska, there are 730 skippers and crew who fished off 748 vessels homeported in Juneau. These Juneauites, representing 2 percent of residents of the Capital City, added $21.5 million to our local economy.
Juneau, well suited as a transportation hub and source of relatively inexpensive electricity, is very competitive in the seafood processing industry. Data from 2009 shows that of the 53 seafood processors in SEAK, 10 are in Juneau. These 430 seasonal jobs brought home $4 million in processing $39 million of wholesale seafood.
Often overlooked in these numbers are the indirect benefits to our community that are important in stimulating the economic health of Juneau. For example, hardware and marine repair, fuel sales, lodging, freight agents, etc., along with transportation industry jobs necessary to ship millions of pound of product. Also supporting the industry are public sector jobs (Coast Guard, ADF&G, Ted Stevens Marine Research lab) created to oversee this important renewable industry.
Notwithstanding an understandable rift between charter halibut and commercial Individual Fishing Quota (IVF) fishermen, the current regulations have resulted in a sustainably managed program. Commercial fishing management practices in Alaska are touted as the world’s gold standard. The Alaskan Seafood Marketing Institute likewise has masterfully branded Alaskan Seafood — Wild, Natural & Sustainable. The future of Juneau commercial fishing is half-full. The trend is increasing value of ex-Vessel but the number of fishing participants is declining in SEAK (as well as Alaska wide). This, in effect, is a consolidation of fish harvests but it also makes it more difficult for new blood to enter the industry, which is key to all business models. Another SEAK trend appears to be increasing numbers of non-Alaskan residents holding commercial fishing permits — 24 percent in 2009 up 10 percent from 2006 and accounting for 30 percent of gross earnings.
The intricacies of commercial fisheries are complex. While the City and Borough of Juneau does not have the authority to make sweeping changes affecting the large-scale commercial market forces in play, the Assembly has made commercial fisheries a Top 10 priority affirming their support to “Continue to support fisheries development in Juneau through infrastructure development.” Docks & Harbors has also embraced the commercial fishing sector with the newly completed $13M Auke Bay Loading Facility, including boat and gear stowage yard, an offshore net float for repairing gear, a new boom truck and a 45-ton hydraulic boat lift, scheduled for delivery later this summer. A proposal to determine the viability of a new Juneau “public cold storage” facility was investigated last year by Northern Economics, and while the study concluded that there is demand — a cold storage facility did not pencil out without subsidy. The recapitalization of the 50-year-old Aurora Harbor, and its home to 35 percent of the commercial fishing fleet, is Docks & Harbors’ highest priority in this week’s request to compete under the CBJ 1 percent sales tax initiative. Docks & Harbors also conducted a “direct seafood market facility” study – in essence looking for opportunities to bring fish-buying customers directly to a point-of-sale on the dock. The long-range vision is to integrate this “facility” with the future Bridge Park and Seawalk. So Deadliest Catch may be right in demonstrating that fishing in Alaska is hard; Juneau needs to continue its support of this valuable industry and take reasonable actions to ensure that local fishermen remain local.
• Juneau Port Director Carl J. Uchytil is a retired U.S. Coast Guard officer and former captain of a U.S.C.G. ice breaker. His column appears here monthly.
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awhile to get your hand out for the handout. I hope we finally vote out this tax.
wow...
A lot of reading to realize they are asking for tax revenue. I guess I have little sympathy for commercial fishermen. The stems from growing up here and catching large sums of seafood. Now, not so much. Watching boats going out high in the water, then return barely above the water line with tons of seafood. Knowing that Auke Bay used to have the largest herring run in the world. Now having absolutely no herring run at all.
Maybe they wouldn't have to be so good at twenty different fields if they didn't do their best to catch all the fish every year. I wonder what would happen if we shut down commercial fishing in Southeast Alaska for five years. Not portions of it, all of it. Herring, salmon, halibut, crab, all of it. Would we get our old numbers back? I'm sure we would.
Leaves the State
The amount of revenue leaving the State or just this area from commercial fishing is far greater than the amount that stays here. If you doubt that than look at the data regarding where the permit holders live and the number of commercial fisherman with nonresident licenses.
benefits of fishing
Hi column appears monthly? I hope he'll devote next month to the economic benefits of sport and charter fishing. Docks and Harbors exists for all fishing, not just commercial. All fishing is vitally important to SE Alaska.
Really??
This guy can really manipulate statistcs created by a commercial lobbying group. Maybe he should move on over to UFA or ASMI like other past Coast Guard retirees rather than double dipping at a city job.
Tourists
Why not build the new facility with a tourist balcony over it so the tourists can come down the seawalk and stand over the whole operation, watch fish being unloaded, while old fishing captains sit around regaling them with adventure stories and spittin tobacco juice.
Let the head tax pay for this, not our sales tax.
Or...make the 'temporary' sales tax 5% and seasonal, starting when the first cruise ship arrives, and ending when the last one departs in the season.
If the fishing fleet expects the residents to empty their pockets to pay for infrastructure most residents will never get to use, how about they stop gouging us for a fillet of fish?
Very informative article
Thank you Mr Uchytil.
Dump the 1% !
Yep. A plea to subsidize an industry. "It's for the fishermen's kids!" The assembly is going to pick the projects with the best selling points to put on the ballot to insure that this 1% temporary sales tax gets renewed by the voters. They just have to weigh the demograghics to sell this pork barrel so they can fund pet projects. The ballot measure would fall flat on it's face if they proposed subsidizing Greens Creek or Kensington. Sorry, Carl. Your bid isn't touchy-feely enough... Next!
WOW!!!!!
Has any of you ever put yourself in someone elses shoes before you run off at the mouth? I suggest you stop and think before you speak..
talk about.....
short sighted. Expect it from Snagger, but really kids?
Thank you Carl, for an informative and accurate accounting.
All of the commercial fishermen I know are locals. I can also go down to the docks in the summer and get a dungie for $7 - a pretty good price by anyone's standards, and shrimp, halibut, or salmon, literally hours old, for less than in the grocery store. This is certainly a benefit for everyone in town who can walk the ramp to the dock and has $7 in their pocket.
Commercial fishermen raise children here, participate in resource management, buy local, and are hard-working people.
This is certainly more in line with infrastructure and benefit for a larger portion of the community than many of the other items on the 'wish list'.
You're right, swimmergirl
I take back the part about infrastructure. We build roads and bridges that other businesses use - what's the diff? But I stand by nicking the tourists for it if we can find a way.
Really, think about it. The 'Wharf Observers Gallery'. Hire a bunch of grizzled one-legged actors to sit around and spin yarns about the 'old days', complete with lots of 'AARGHS!' and 'Mateys'. Have the fishermen below throw fish around like at Pikes Place Market. Dump a lot of fish scraps around so there are plenty of eagles to photo when the fleet is out.
The tourists would just eat it up - it would be more popular than Dangerous Catch. Forget the bronze whale tail. We'd have our Juneau icon.
Just tryin a wutdahey....you?
There is the bulk of the comm-fishers that don't live and spend in JBD and thats the tax-rub for a lot of locals. It's hard to see people come and get on their boats as fast as they can, but they're not wanting to spend any more than needed to be in Alaska. That's a fact! When I was with Arctic Alaska, the crew was on shore 1 day a month, to off-load and go back out. A few quick drinks, a trip to the grocer for perishables and byby. The memory of seeing many raw kids in their bunks for days at a time seasick, is now a laugh but, thinking these people are a viable resource, at times I get a little confused. The needed rev from tourism is a must but, catering to and wanting to spend untold dollars on a fisherman's oriented venue is almost counter-productive. How about a card like the food stamp card issued by the state, with a coded tax % for locals. Then the uber-rich creepy cruise-ship tourist comes in, no card and BINGO...10%!!! Just a thought! Peace!
@swimmergirl
CBJ infrastructure should stand on it's own. Not as a poster child for a temporary tax renewal full of pet projects hiding behind a headliner. Docks and Harbors can draw up their own proposals for the ballot without beefing up a pork barrel. Carl brought up the 1% indicating that D&H just wants to ride the wave or make one that other city wants can ride on. I vote to fund needed improvements. This process that we are watching now is aimed at renewal of the 1% more than it is for any or all the projects it may fund. It's all about securing the next fix lest the stash dries up. There are plenty of deserving projects without vetting the ones that will sell the revenue levy as a "special" tax. It is a TEMPORARY tax and CBJ hates that. They are trying their best to grandfather it into a permanent tax. If they succeed, another temporary tax will follow. Try looking at it for what it is and not at all the marketing strategies being employed to pass it. It's a proposed tax looking for a cause.
Paying Your Way
Swimmerg-- I fished commercially for 20 years and I paid my own way. The fishers I know today are pretty well to do and can do the same. My point is that the number of Juneau fishers is greatly inflated and incorrect.Carl uses lobbying statistics that are misleading. I don't believe his statistics nor those from UFA. They just want other people's money!!!
@skirkz
I agree with your assessment and refer to my own previous statements regarding the mining issues. It's all gonna be more of the gvmnt's "lemme in, I'll be good" junk heard time n time again. It's a snowball in the making. Be it mining, water or fishing!
@skirkz
I agree with your assessment and refer to my own previous statements regarding the mining issues. It's all gonna be more of the gvmnt's "lemme in, I'll be good" junk heard time n time again. It's a snowball in the making. Be it mining, water or fishing!
@skirkz
I agree with your assessment and refer to my own previous statements regarding the mining issues. It's all gonna be more of the gvmnt's "lemme in, I'll be good" junk heard time n time again. It's a snowball in the making. Be it mining, water or fishing!
@skirkz
I agree with your assessment and refer to my own previous statements regarding the mining issues. It's all gonna be more of the gvmnt's "lemme in, I'll be good" junk heard time n time again. It's a snowball in the making. Be it mining, water or fishing!
Commercial fishing is important to Juneau
I will support the tax. I know that fishing is important to our economy in Juneau. Reality check people, the city runs the docks. If repairs and updates are needed, the city needs to pay. Realistically, the fishermen are not going to be able to do it. I think there should be a usage fee for the fishermen, so the city can recoup the money, then perhaps put some towards a fund related to maintainence and updating for the future.
Sure the city runs the docks,
Sure the city runs the docks, but they can charge fees for their use that cover their deterioration like many cities in SE are doing. Or... they can subsidize one block of people at the expense of the others. If so, at least do so openly and honestly. (And for disclosure my handle was the name of my uncles tender.)
commercial fishing
Last I checked more than half of commercial
fishing entry permits were held by out of state
fishermen. Correct me if I am wrong. This info
is available to the public. A phone call to the
ADF&G CFEC office should get any one this
info.
Lodestar
Correct! Perfect example eagle crest
There is a reason most of the
There is a reason most of the Juneau fleet have their boat docked in Hoonah...
Moorage not free
To say fishermen should pay for their usage, they do. They pay for their slip. Are you aware that different harbors charge different rates? Did you know that each harbor charges seperately and you cannot transfer your monthly prepayment to another harbor?
Fisherman are not the only ones to use the harbors either. There are live aboards, charter boats, luxury yachts, weekend boaters, sail boats, a lot of people use the docks. Some just like to stroll them, want to charge for that?
There is a reason fishermen tie up in Hoonah. Juneau is not fisherman friendly. Juneau is tourist company friendly.
What we really need to promote commercial fishing...
...is a giant bronze statue of a fishing boat!
We could install it in one of the berths in Harris Harbor that used to have a fishing boat, but now has a personal use craft in it.
(*blub*)
Skirkz and Snagger....
But first Lat. Not a bad idea about the docks, really. Some info about how salmon gets to their favorite restuarant - the process. Pointing out the superiority of wild fish.
Skirkz - as has already been pointed out, the docks ARE part of CBJ infrastructure. Many, many people use them or benefit directly or indirectly. That's what city expenditures are FOR. Should we not pave your street because only you and your neighbors drive on it regularly?
Snagger - Paid your own way for 20 years - So, you owned your own dock, and never tied up to one of the city's? Never hauled out on the city dock for hull maintenance, or used the ramps? Really? Yes, fees pay for annual expenditures, but clearly are not enough for occassional maintenance as well - so the city, which we all use and contribute to - pays part of the expense FOR us.
lodestar and islandhopper......
Good grief, you two. Do you not get that the city is a collective, and that each and every person will not have exactly the same needs and uses of all of the facilities contained within the city? Certainly there are some things the two of you use that I don't, or some other people don't.
I'll say it slowly, and use small words:
It's......OK.....for......the....city....to...fund....things....you....don't.....personally
....use.....because....it...also.....funds......things....you....use..
..that...others......don't.