Marine mammals are essential to the nutritional, cultural, and economic well-being of Alaskan residents. Marine mammal health is a conservation issue as well as a human health, food security and cultural economic priority. Biological sampling of stranded animals provides data on distribution, diet, reproduction, and animal health.

Of the 239 NOAA Marine Mammal Stranding Network events in 2017, Alaska Sea Grant agents were onsite at 108 (45%). Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory agents collected and shipped biological samples for analysis in support of federal and state management. Agent activities associated with stranding events include media response, school outreach, social media postings, and transboundary communications with Chukotka, Russia, regarding whale strandings and pinniped health.

Commercial seafood harvesting in Alaska includes over 20,000 fishermen and 40,000 crewmembers, and is a key coastal economic driver. Understanding how to profitably manage high costs of entry and overhead of a modern fishing business in a complicated regulatory environment is an essential business skill for new entrants.

Alaska Sea Grant has hosted seven successful Alaska Young Fishermen Summits (AYFS) training events, reaching 450 fishermen from over 50 fishing communities. The majority of participants are generally in the first five years of owning their fishing operations, or crew seeking to advance as permit and vessel owners.

Alaska Sea Grant agents conducted an AYFS evaluation with an online survey of past participants and event speakers and sponsors. Since attending an AYFS, 93% of survey respondents have remained in the fishing industry or have expanded their operations. 67% have renewed or joined a fishing association, and 36% report testifying in person or in writing before the Alaska Board of Fisheries.

Commercial fishing is an important part of the Alaska economy but has become increasingly difficult and costly to enter for young residents of fishing communities. The trend of increasing age of permit holders in Alaska’s commercial fisheries has caused concern among state lawmakers, industry members, and coastal communities. Assessing and understanding why there has been a decline in younger Alaskans’ entrance into the fishing industry is essential to determine how to reverse the trend.

Alaska Sea Grant–funded researchers conducted surveys and interviews with members of several coastal Alaska communities. Survey and interview data revealed several factors that inhibit access to fisheries, including high costs of permits and fishing equipmen and social issues such as problems at home and drug use.

Researchers published a report with recommendations geared at making the fishing industry more accessible to young community members. In addition, a bill was introduced to the Alaska Legislature to create regional fisheries trusts in some state fisheries that would lease permits to local residents.