October 9, 2024 — PETERSBURG, Alaska, is as picturesque a seaside town as any along the state’s maritime coast.
Its Scandinavian heritage is evident in its statuary and floral designs, while bald eagles soar above the strait separating it from a national forest.
Although it lacks space for the large cruise ships that flood Ketchikan and Juneau with tourists, it is perfectly situated for its sustaining industry: fishing.
Norwegian fishermen settled in Petersburg in the 1800s, drawn to its ideal location for pursuing salmon, crab and halibut.
Today, hundreds of vessels dock there, selling their catch to the town’s two major processors. These processors head and gut the fish before canning or freezing them for the journey to dinner tables across the world.
One of these plants, built over a century ago, is the town’s largest private employer.
Few know the industry better than Glorianne Wollen, a fisherman’s daughter who operates a large crab boat and serves as harbourmaster. From her small office, she has witnessed significant change over the years.