State and Federal Agencies Are Defending the Future of the Alaskan Fisheries

Judging by the level of state and federal agency collaboration in establishing sustainable fisheries management practices that will keep Alaska's seafood bounty safe for future generations, it would appear that the people involved in such activities took the saying that "you shouldn't let a good thing go to waste" to heart. There is no better an example of responsible fisheries management in the country nor in the world for that matter, and not so coincidentally there are few places (if any) that have the rich and plentiful fisheries on hand that Alaska and the greater North Pacific area have. The nature of the management system is remarkably and laudably sophisticated and efficient, with multiple tools available for authorities to use that can be modified as necessary to ensure that outstanding circumstances don't render them ineffectual.

The principal government bodies responsible for determining the multifaceted fisheries management practices that must be respected out at sea are the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (at the state level) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (at the federal level). Though they assume the majority of the responsibility in protecting the future of Alaska seafood resources, there are international bodies such as the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and the International Pacific Halibut Commission which weigh in on certain policy issues (though never really on enforcement).

Getting down to the specifics, among the most significant of all the fisheries management practices is the Total Allowable Catch policy: a real and enforced harvest limit which, upon being reached, triggers the close of the season for the species the catch limit was established for. (This is in stark contrast with other regional or international fisheries, where once such limits are reached authorities take absolutely no action whatsoever.) Yet there are other policies and tools in place as well, such as time-and-area closures and restrictions on given fishing gear or boat sizes. Furthermore, not just anybody can undertake commercial fishing activities in Alaska due to the "limited entry" system whereby licenses are only given to a limited number of operators and even then only on the demonstration of the ability to comply with state and federal fisheries regulations. With many more policy tools yet, it is a wonderfully sophisticated and effective set of fisheries management practices that makes Alaska's name ring with pride all around the world.

Alaska's fishing industry leads the world in environmental protection measures. From efforts to improve traceability to strict enforcement procedures, Alaska continually shows how committed it is to preserving the ocean for the next generation.