Net Economic Impacts of Recent Alaska Salmon Fishery Failures and Federal Relief

Abstract

Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha runs in several areas of Alaska have recently fallen well below expected levels. Using a social accounting matrix (SAM) model, this study calculated the net regional impacts on employment and income of the commercial salmon fishery failures stemming from these small runs, taking into account the effects of the federal fishery disaster funds received by commercial fishermen. The results indicate that federal relief funds reduced the adverse economic impacts but that the distribution of these funds to permit owners alone was not sufficient to compensate for the losses by other stakeholders. This study also shows that a SAM‐type model is useful for policymakers in deciding how federal funds should be distributed among the various stakeholders affected by fishery failures.Received May 1, 2015; accepted November 8, 2015 Published online March 30, 2016

Use of time-depth recorders to determine fishing depth of commercial setnets and inform management in Cook Inlet, Alaska

“…A useful historical summary of the development of the Cook Inlet salmon fisheries is available [4], as well as a number of recent sociological studies examining the conflict [5][6][7][8][9]. A number of opinion pieces and newspaper articles also outline the recent history of developments in this highly charged fishery [5,[10][11][12][13][14].…”

“…A useful historical summary of the development of the Cook Inlet salmon fisheries is available [4], as well as a number of recent sociological studies examining the conflict [5][6][7][8][9]. A number of opinion pieces and newspaper articles also outline the recent history of developments in this highly charged fishery [5,[10][11][12][13][14]. As a result of this complex web of co-migrating salmon species, gear types, disparate fishing locations, and range of established and newer user groups, managers must make decisions regarding implementation of fishing restrictions and allocations within a politically and socio-culturally complex environment [15].…”