Maritime Injury Law BlogDefending Alaska’s Trawl Fleet
Alaska’s trawl fisheries report they are facing critiques from groups that some industry leaders call “radical organizations funded by out-of-state interests.” Often focused on environmental concerns and fishing methods, these groups have sparked a heated debate about the future of Alaska’s most productive fisheries.
Trawling, a method used by most fishery landings in Alaska and across the United States, plays a critical role in Alaska’s coastal communities and the seafood industry. Yet, some activist groups are seeking to ban trawling, threatening not only the livelihoods of thousands but also the availability of wild, healthful, sustainable seafood enjoyed across the country.
A recent article published in the Alaska Beacon offers a defense of the trawl industry. The editorial was written by four seasoned Alaskan fishermen with decades of experience. Sam Wright, a 30-year veteran of Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska fisheries; Dan Carney, a farmer, homesteader, and 43-year Bering Sea survivor; Jason Chandler, a lifelong Kodiak resident; and Kiley Thomson, a 32-year resident of Sand Point, united to address misconceptions and misinformation surrounding Alaska’s fisheries.
For those who enjoy a fish sandwich, fish tacos, scallops, or fish sticks, much of it comes from trawl and dredge gears. While critics argue these methods harm the environment, the authors of the Alaska Beacon article emphasize that Alaska’s fisheries are managed with rigorous oversight to ensure long-term ecosystem health. These systems provide billions of seafood meals annually while sustaining tens of thousands of Alaskan jobs.
Few food production systems in the world are as sustainable as Alaska’s fisheries, the authors report. This is due to the state’s clear, science-based processes that determine where, when, and how fishing occurs. Harvesting is closely monitored and evaluated, balancing economic needs with environmental protection.
Addressing misconceptions about bycatch, the fishermen stress that Alaska’s pollock fishery remains one of the cleanest fisheries globally, with bycatch rates below 1%. Much of the reported bycatch—nearly 40% of that small percentage—includes species like jellyfish, a fact often misrepresented.
Transparency
Transparency is another hallmark of Alaska’s fisheries the authors state in their commentary. In 2023, 94% of the total catch was independently observed, and advances in electronic monitoring are moving that number closer to 100%. This level of oversight ensures accuracy in reporting and accountability across the industry.
Habitat Concerns: Science vs. Misinformation
Critics often claim that trawl gear damages ocean habitats by scraping the seafloor. However, the scientific community offers different findings. The writers report that the impact on habitats is temporary and minimal, with trawl grounds that have been fished for decades remaining some of the most productive and diverse areas in the world. The fishermen argue that these habitats are resilient, and ongoing monitoring ensures their health is maintained.
The Bigger Agenda
The article warns of a broader agenda behind the anti-trawl rhetoric—one that seeks to displace harvesters entirely. Activist groups advocate for large-scale bans through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which could eliminate fishing opportunities in vast stretches of ocean. The authors caution that if Alaska’s trawl fisheries fall to these attacks, it won’t stop there.
As the authors note, “If activist allies succeed in shutting down Alaska’s trawl fisheries, don’t think they’ll stop there.” This opinion reflects a growing concern among harvesters that the goal is not conservation but the elimination of fishing altogether, which could threaten food security, coastal economies, and livelihoods.
The Alaska Beacon article concludes with an invitation for dialog. “We take pride in harvesting Alaska pollock and other groundfish, contributing to Alaska’s rich fishing heritage, coastal communities, and economy. Alaskans deserve honest discussions about fisheries, which often require complex trade-offs. As warming oceans—not trawl fleets—affect certain salmon and crab stocks, making informed decisions is extremely challenging. We welcome fair debates grounded in truth, transparency, and facts that can help sustain all Alaskan fisheries.”