Alaska Fish Factor: Commercial fishing industry is largest private sector employer

Alaska gets a good return on investment from its commercial fisheries.

And surprise! Commercial fisheries expertise also sustains Alaska’s subsistence and most of the personal use fisheries.

“This is probably not well-known,” said Sam Rabung, director of the commercial fisheries division for the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, at a presentation last week to the House Fisheries Committee.

“Data collected by our division is shared across all divisions within the department as much as possible,” he explained to lawmakers. “We also share the cost of projects and facilities with other divisions. We...