Commercial harvesters can now obtain the specialized permits, which remain valid through December 31st, 2025, marking the first formal recognition of tuna as a targeted commercial species in Alaska waters. The permits become available immediately upon issuance, creating an unprecedented fishing opportunity in a region traditionally known for salmon and groundfish.
Rhea Ehresmann, who leads the Region 1 groundfish project for the ADF&G, explained that the permit system emerged from direct industry requests. “The commercial fleet approached us about targeting Pacific tuna, given the significant tuna presence we’re seeing in waters outside of Sitka,” she noted.
The fishing opportunity centers around a substantial warm water mass measuring approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit, positioned more than 10 miles offshore from Cape Edgecumbe near Sitka. This thermal anomaly has created ideal habitat conditions for species typically found much farther south.
Sport fishing reports have provided valuable intelligence about tuna locations, with recreational anglers reporting concentrations around the 1,000-fathom depth contour, roughly 10 miles from Cape Edgecumbe. Despite the deep water location, the Pacific tuna are swimming and being caught much closer to the surface, making them accessible to various fishing methods.
Prospective commercial tuna harvesters must navigate a multi-layered permit system. Beyond the new commissioner’s permit, operators need valid Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission vessel licenses and miscellaneous saltwater finfish interim use permits corresponding to their intended fishing gear.
The department began accepting permit applications on September 12th, 2025, and has already received multiple submissions, according to Ehresmann. Notably, the state has not established total allowable catch limits or harvest quotas for this experimental fishery, reflecting its exploratory nature.
The new regulations accommodate tuna harvesting within existing fishing operations. Salmon troll fishermen can retain Pacific tuna caught as bycatch using their standard CFEC salmon troll permits, though they must also secure the additional commissioner’s permit. These provisions cover both directed tuna fishing and incidental catches during regular salmon troll seasons through September 30th, 2025.
This fishing opportunity builds on decades of sporadic tuna activity in Alaska waters. Commercial exploration for albacore began as early as 1949, when Alaskan trollers successfully landed substantial quantities near Ketchikan. Recent warming trends have created brief but productive fishing windows, including notable success near Craig in 2022.
The targeted species include albacore tuna, typically measuring 20-30 inches and weighing 10-30 pounds, though larger specimens occur. Skipjack tuna, which can reach three to four feet in length and weigh up to 75 pounds, represent another opportunity, though catches generally range between five and 22 pounds.
Pacific tuna species fall into a regulatory gap in Alaska waters, excluded from federal groundfish management plans due to their highly migratory nature. This classification places them under state jurisdiction, though Southeast Alaska lacks established management protocols for these species.
The temperature dependent nature of tuna presence creates both opportunity and uncertainty. These species require water temperatures between 58°F and 64°F, conditions uncommon in the Gulf of Alaska. When favorable conditions develop through warm currents or oceanic eddies, they can attract tuna populations, though such events remain unpredictable and temporary.
Recent sport fishing success, including multiple albacore catches and a notable skipjack tuna landed directly in Sitka harbor, demonstrates the current potential while highlighting the unusual nature of these conditions.