Maritime Economy

Published on: October 27, 2026

From Maine to Seattle, Lift All Boats Sends Young Fishers Across the Country

Tonight, more than 3,000 miles from our Seattle office, supporters in Portland, Maine are gathering to raise money for a group of young lobster harvesters. The goal is to send the students here, to our own waterfront, for a national gathering of the next generation of commercial fishers.

The students belong to Lift All Boats, a Portland nonprofit that opens the waterfront to young people from all walks of life. Fishing has long been a family trade, but fewer sons and daughters are following their parents to sea, and many captains are struggling to find good crew.

Lift All Boats was co-founded in 2022 by Luke Holden and Ben Conniff, the founders of Luke’s Lobster. The program began with just four students and has grown every year, with a recent cohort of 30 that included 20 returning students. Women make up a growing share of each cohort, in an industry where they have long been underrepresented. Many participants come from non-fishing backgrounds, and some had never set foot on a vessel. Lift All Boats helps young people obtain the student license that serves as the main pathway into professional lobstering, provides their gear, and takes them out to haul traps once a week. Their catch is bought at market price, so students earn real money and learn the economics and business of fishing firsthand. Those who want to fish professionally are connected with working captains who need help on deck.

Published on: October 20, 2026

The Comeback of the Yelloweye Rockfish

by Nigel Stacey

Most folks who grew up along the Pacific Northwest coast remember rockfish on the dinner table. The firm, mild white fillets were a fixture at fish counters and family tables as they were sturdy enough to fry, bake, or simmer in a chowder. That firm white flesh also worked well with butter, garlic, and herbs. Of the many rockfish species, the yelloweye, often sold as “red snapper,” was considered a high-quality protein. After a quarter century off the menu, it is on its way back.

Yelloweye rockfish are hard to mistake, with bright orange bodies, golden eyes, and rough ridges above each eye. They are among the largest rockfish, reaching about three feet in length and over 30 pounds, and they live on rugged, rocky reefs where they hunt smaller fish, crab, and squid. They reside in the East Pacific and range from Baja California to Dutch Harbor in Alaska. What sets them apart is their lifespan, as yelloweye rockfish can live as long as 147 years. They grow slowly, and it takes about 20 years before even half of them are old enough to reproduce.

That slow growth is what made them vulnerable. Catches peaked from the late 1970s through the late 1990s, and the population could not be sustained. In 2002, yelloweye rockfish were declared overfished off the West Coast, and keeping them was prohibited. With an average generation time of 44 years, fishery managers projected only a 50 percent chance of recovery by 2027, even if all fishing stopped.

Published on: June 2, 2026

Alaska Seafood Contributes $5.2 Billion in Economic Value

by Nigel Stacey

Alaska’s seafood industry is one of the world’s most productive fisheries, and one of the most economically important in the nation. A new report released in May puts some numbers in perspective, and they’re worth understanding if you work on the water in Alaska.

The 2026 Economic Value of Alaska’s Seafood Industry report, produced by McKinley Research Group for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), uses data from the 2023 and 2024 fisheries. The industry contributed $5.2 billion in total economic value from harvest, processing, and distribution. Alaska fishermen harvested an average of 5.1 billion pounds of seafood valued at $1.5 billion at the dock. Processors turned that raw harvest into 2.4 billion pounds of finished product worth $4.2 billion, adding $2.7 billion in value before the product ever left the state.

The workforce behind those numbers is substantial. The industry directly employed 41,800 people, including more than 15,000 Alaskans from over 120 communities statewide. Total labor income generated by the seafood sector reached $1.9 billion.

Published on: May 19, 2026

NOAA Determines Gulf of Alaska Chinook Salmon Do Not Warrant ESA Listing

by Nigel Stacey

For commercial fishermen in Alaska’s Gulf waters, a recent federal decision provides clearer regulatory guidance as the season begins. In May 2026, NOAA Fisheries completed a 12-month review of Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon and concluded that listing any of the three identified population groups under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is not warranted at this time.

The review was triggered by a January 2024 petition from the Wild Fish Conservancy, which asked NOAA to evaluate whether one or more distinct groups of Gulf of Alaska Chinook should be listed as threatened or endangered. After a preliminary finding in May 2024 indicated the question deserved a closer look, NOAA assembled a review team, worked with Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists, and consulted with Alaska Native Tribes and corporations throughout the Gulf region.

NOAA’s review identified three distinct Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs), the scientific term for essentially distinct, self-sustaining salmon populations within the Gulf of Alaska:

Published on: July 15, 2025

Dredging Project Begins at Unalaska Dutch Harbor in Alaska

by Nigel Stacey

A critical infrastructure project is officially underway in Alaska, which will significantly enhance navigation and strengthen the economy for one of the nation’s most vital fishing ports. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Alaska District has announced the beginning of dredging operations for the Unalaska-Dutch Harbor Channels Project. Work began in June, targeting a shallow bar that has been a challenge for larger vessels attempting to enter Iliuliuk Bay and access Dutch Harbor.

Dutch Harbor, consistently ranking among the top fishing ports in the United States by volume and value, is the cornerstone of the Alaskan and national seafood industry. However, the shallow bar at the entrance to Iliuliuk Bay has historically restricted the size of ships that can safely navigate the channel, particularly during certain tides. This hurdle has caused delays and increased operational costs for fishing fleets and cargo vessels as well as limiting growth and efficiency within the port.

The $9.2 million project, awarded to J.E. McAmis Inc. of Chico, California, is a collaborative effort with the City of Unalaska. Funded 75% by the federal government and 25% locally, the completed project should alleviate the historically long navigational constraints. The primary objective is to remove approximately 172,000 cubic yards of sediment from the channel. This will create a new, expanded channel measuring 600 feet by 600 feet, with a significantly increased depth of 58 feet. This deeper and wider passage will allow larger, more modern vessels to access Dutch Harbor with greater ease and safety, regardless of tidal conditions.

Published on: June 3, 2025

Seattle’s Expanding Maritime Sector

by Nigel Stacey

The maritime industry in Washington state, particularly within the Puget Sound region, is a thriving sector that offers diverse career opportunities both on shore and at sea. This part of the state’s economy contributed more than $45.9 billion in 2022 and provided more than 174,300 jobs.

These maritime professions are often financially rewarding, providing substantial wages. The average annual compensation for maritime workers in Washington state, including benefits, is estimated at $112,000. Even entry-level union positions can range from $55,000 to $140,000, highlighting the earning potential in this field.

To sustain this growth, there’s a strong focus on workforce development. Seattle is strategically positioning itself as a global hub for the maritime and clean energy economy, highlighting its commitment to future growth and innovation.

Published on: May 14, 2025

Empowering Alaska Fishermen Through Insurance Cooperatives

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

House Bill 116 is currently under consideration by the Alaska State Senate, representing a potential turning point for the state’s commercial fishing industry. This legislation would authorize Alaskan fishermen to form their own insurance cooperatives, which would lower operating costs and ensure the financial stability of smaller operators facing increasingly difficult economic conditions. Having passed the House unanimously, the bill is now before the Senate, with a strong possibility of enactment this session.

The bill originated from the Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry, which analyzed and identified growing financial strains on commercial fishermen. As Representative Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, and Senate President Gary Stevens have emphasized, the combination of record-high operating costs and record-low fishing market prices calls for innovative solutions to support this vital sector of Alaska’s economy.

The primary concern driving this legislation is the increasing cost and decreasing availability of traditional insurance for fishing vessels. Underwriters are reportedly increasing premiums and becoming more selective with their customers. This has created a significant barrier for many independent fishermen seeking insurance. By enabling fishermen to collectively pool their resources, they can create a larger, potentially lower-risk insurance pool, theoretically leading to more attractive rates and greater access to coverage.

Published on: April 29, 2025

Alaska Senators Advocate for Seafood Worker Visa Exemption

by Nigel Stacey

A bipartisan effort led by Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and supported by fellow coastal state senators has introduced new legislation aimed at providing relief to the Alaska seafood processing industry. The proposed “Save Our Seafood Act” seeks to exempt seafood processing companies from the federal cap imposed on the temporary H-2B visa program in order to secure the industry’s workforce and overall stability.

The Alaska seafood sector annually depends on international laborers, primarily from Mexico, the Philippines, and Ukraine. These workers fill essential processing roles during the intense, high-volume commercial fishing seasons. Before turning to the H-2B visa program, companies must demonstrate an inability to recruit enough American workers. Thousands of guest workers are hired each year to meet the demanding labor needs.

However, seafood processing companies compete for H-2B visas alongside various non-agricultural industries, including construction, landscaping, and hospitality. The current congressional cap of 66,000 visas per year, divided into two seasonal allocations, creates uncertainty and potential workforce shortages for the seafood industry.

Published on: April 1, 2025

Securing Maritime Safety through Vessel Maintenance

by Nigel Stacey

Proper maintenance and rebuilding of fishing vessels is critical for ensuring the safety and livelihood of fishermen at sea. Regular inspections, repairs, and upgrades not only extend the life of these vessels but also significantly reduce the risk of accidents and equipment failures, ultimately protecting the crews who rely on them.

This is where Fred Wahl Marine Construction in Reedsport, Oregon steps in. The company has established itself as a leading shipyard, specializing in the construction of high-quality commercial vessels known for their exceptional dependability and durability. This is also where fishing vessels from up and down the West Coast come for repairs and upgrades. Recently, the company has been working on vessels from areas such as Long Beach, California, Newport, Oregon, and Sand Point, Alaska.

From Long Beach, the squid seiner PROVIDER, measuring 59 feet by 24 feet, is getting a major update. Although it had new sponsons installed in 2014 to widen its hull, the original wheelhouse remained. Over time, corrosion developed where the old wheelhouse met the newer deck, requiring the entire wheelhouse to be replaced. Additionally, the PROVIDER is scheduled to receive a new stern tube and improved steering components.

Published on: February 25, 2025

Alaska Governor Dunleavy Proposes Legalizing Finfish Farming

by Nigel Stacey

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has introduced a bill that could mark a significant shift in the state’s approach to aquaculture by legalizing finfish farming in controlled environments. The proposed legislation, House Bill 111 (HB 111), would authorize closed-system finfish farms, ending Alaska’s longstanding ban on the practice.

Currently, Alaska prohibits all finfish farming except for private nonprofit salmon hatcheries, many of which are operated by Indigenous communities to support wild salmon populations. This restriction was enacted in 1990 to safeguard the state’s wild fish stocks from risks such as disease, pollution, and genetic interbreeding with escaped farmed fish.

In a statement accompanying the bill’s introduction, Governor Dunleavy framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to enhance Alaska’s food security. “Alaska can join other regions of the world by raising fish that can be sold and consumed here in Alaska and be available for export,” he said. “This legislation will yield new jobs, economic growth, and a new food source for all Alaskans.”