March 19, 2025 — For generations, Alaska’s Indigenous communities have relied on commercial fishing as both a livelihood and a cultural cornerstone. But decades-old federal policies restricting access to fisheries have left Native-owned fleets struggling to stay afloat.
Now, Indigenous advocates and tribal leaders are calling for changes that would restore opportunities for Native fishermen. According to a recent report from KTOO, the federal Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) system and other limited-entry programs implemented in the 1990s had devastating effects on many Indigenous fishing communities. While designed to stabilize the industry, these systems made it increasingly difficult for younger Native fishermen to enter the trade, ultimately diminishing the presence of Native-owned vessels in Alaska’s commercial fisheries.