Alaska Commercial Fishing
The commercial fishing industry in Alaska is a major part of the state economy, and it provides thousands of seasonal jobs every year. There are hundreds of people who come from out of state in hopes of landing what they believe are high-paying jobs in the canneries or on the boats. Commercial fishing is a big deal in Alaska, and there are many things a novice should know before thinking about jumping in.
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History
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The commercial fishing industry has been a major part of the Alaskan economy since the 1800s. Salmon runs, whales and other marine life were harvested by the Russians, Japanese and then the Americans through the decades. Although much more regulated in modern times, commercial fishing remains a multi-billion dollar business.
Fishing Jobs
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Many individuals run their own fishing boats, and some captains own many boats and hire entire crews to run them. There are hundreds of jobs in the canneries during the summer, not to mention all the jobs that are indirectly created, such as people to handle secretarial work, truck drivers, bartenders and other service jobs.
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Cannery Work
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Cannery work is some of the most famous seasonal work in Alaska. During the summer when the massive salmon runs take place, part-time workers are hired by the hundreds to work for an entire summer cutting, cleaning, packing and canning the fish to be sent around the world. The hours are long and grueling, often running 16 or more a day, six to seven days a week, and many canneries go on a three weeks on, one week off schedule.
Crab Fishing
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Crab fishing, as made famous by the Discovery Channel show "The Deadliest Catch," is under the wing of "commercial fishing." These boats are manned by crews that have to race against time and work virtually nonstop to haul in as many crab as possible each year before the season closes. This is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, and there are casualties nearly every year.
Warnings
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Although there are lucrative jobs in the commercial fishing industry, many of the highest-paying jobs are also the most dangerous. People die nearly every year while commercial fishing in Alaska. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports, from 1990 to 2007, 346 workers died, with the best year seeing "only" four deaths in 1997. Some of these jobs are also high-risk, high-reward, with workers not getting paid if their catch is a bust.
Considerations
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The jobs are not easy to get. Experience trumps all else, followed by locals watching out for locals, and then there's stiff competition for what's left. Workers might have to shell out more than $500 for licenses and special gear before working, and minimum wage and hourly work laws do not apply for these jobs. Even in cannery jobs, many are minimum wage, but because a worker often puts in 100 or more hours a week and has no chance to spend the money, that is where the payoff comes in, not because the job is high paying.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit commercial fishing boat image by itsallgood from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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so? do I need a green card to work up there as I am a status indain from squamish bc because it would be a real great xpereice for me to come fish up there. I've been fishing on the rivers all my life since I was a kid learning from my father and uncles and grandfather.
