October 26, 2017 โ Alaska has produced more than 169 billion pounds of fish since statehood was granted to the Last Frontier in 1959, and the Alaskan seafood industry brings in enough product annually to feed every person in the world a serving of Alaskan seafood.
These and other statistics relating to the seafood industry in the state can be found in โThe Economic Value of Alaskaโs Seafood Industry,โ a joint report by The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) and the McDowell Group, a research and consulting firm, which details the impact of Alaskaโs seafood economy. This is the second collaboration over the past two years between the groups.
The report is meant to provide statistics and figures on employment in the industry, labor income, seafood value, exports, and other related subjects. From fun facts (Alaskaโs commercial fishing fleet is comprised of about 9,400 boats, which would measure 70 miles if they were lined up from bow to stern in a straight line) to precise tax numbers, the report is a gold mine of research about the Alaskan seafood industry.
The report reveals that in 2016, Alaskaโs seafood harvest of 5.6 billion pounds had a total value of USD 1.7 billion (EUR 1.4 billion). Processors in Alaska produced 2.7 billion pounds of Alaska seafood products last year, valued at USD 4.2 billion (EUR 3.6 billion). The overall impact of Alaskaโs seafood industry on the U.S. economy is USD 5.4 billion (EUR 4.6 billion) in direct output โ thatโs value that can be directly associated with fishing, processing, distribution, and retail. Such a figure doesnโt include USD 7.3 billion (EUR 6.2 billion) in additional multiplier effects generated as industry income circulates throughout the U.S. economy, the report said.
Read the full story at Seafood Source