SALMON FISHERY: HARVESTING OVERVIEW AND BOAT TYPES

Harvesting Overview

Alaska Salmon Fishing Boat

Whether it be for processing or harvesting, now is an excellent time to seek employment in the Salmon industry. With harvest numbers being especially high in recent years offshore positions in the Salmon industry are in particular demand (although, it remains true that for first-timers, offshore jobs that include harvesting are typically harder to procure).

The types of Salmon harvested in Alaskan waters are usually: Chinook (king) salmon, Sockeye (red) salmon, Coho (silver) salmon, Chum (dog) salmon and Pink (humpy) salmon.

King salmon are the largest salmon fished off of Alaskan shores. They are typically between 40-50 pounds for the larger varieties although there have been recorded numbers of King salmon that weigh 100 pounds or more. While King salmon are an expensive and valuable fish, they only account for about 1% of the harvest. Sockeye salmon, many of which are caught in Bristol Bay, are the most valuable fish in Alaskan waters weighing between 6 and 9 pounds. Sockeye salmon represent 25-30% of the fish caught during the salmon harvest. Silver salmon are also fairly valuable and most Alaskan trollers focus on this specific fish. Silver salmon represent about 5% of the commercial salmon industry in Alaska and can weigh up to 30 pounds, although most weigh closer to ten. Pink salmon are perhaps the least valuable to the commercial fishing industry in Alaska but are also the most abundant. They are caught almost specifically for canning and are fished by purse seining boats.

Types of Alaska Salmon Fishing Boats | =>
(Purse seiners, trollers, gillnetters)