Coastal Alaskans have expressed grave concerns regarding the economic implications stemming from Alaska’s limited-entry system for commercial fishing, a system many believe is deepening the economic crisis for residents of small, often predominantly Native communities.
Reporting from the Northern Journal reveals a growing frustration among advocates who argue that the current system restricts opportunities for rural, young Alaskans looking to engage in the fishing industry.
In an interview with Northern Journal reporter Nat Herz, the stark realities faced by young Alaskans in fishing communities, such as those in Bristol Bay, were highlighted. Herz pointed out that securing a commercial fishing permit, which can cost upwards of $250,000, along with an additional several hundred thousand for necessary equipment, is prohibitive for most young residents.
Herz noted, “If you’re an 18-year-old and you’re growing up in a Bristol Bay village, where do you get $250,000 for a permit, plus another couple $100,000 for a boat and nets and everything else? Like, it’s not really feasible, and a lot of folks say, ‘This system really isn’t working.'”
The dire economic state attributed to the limited-entry system has prompted advocates to inquire whether anything can be done to halt the decline of coastal, rural economies in Alaska.
When asked about the crisis, lawmakers in Juneau provided little indication that they are willing to make changes to the existing system. Many observers agree that the issue is rooted in a long-standing system failure that has slowly unfolded over the past fifty years.
Herz elaborated, stating, “This is an issue that’s been cooking for 50 years. It’s a system failure that’s been sort of slowly playing out over 50 years. If you’re attuned to it, if you live in a village, you have ties to a village, you’d be acutely aware of it.”
However, most lawmakers in Juneau do not represent coastal or rural Alaska, focusing instead on urban areas such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Mat-Su region. As such, many are seemingly unaware of the serious implications faced by these communities.
Herz explained further, “They don’t really have any idea that this is happening, because it’s a small population of Alaska, a small number of people who don’t have a large lobbying presence in Juneau.”
Additionally, lawmakers who do represent rural areas may feel torn between supporting local fishermen and addressing concerns from those who have invested in purchasing fishing permits. The fear of negatively impacting the existing fishing industry is palpable.
When asked about the potential ramifications of adding more permits, Herz confirmed that this is indeed a concern. The conversation surrounding how to address the systemic failure is complex, with no clear consensus emerging.
“Do you create a new class of permits that’s only accessible for people who live in these small, coastal, rural villages? Do you allow tribes to own permits and sort of manage them communally and fish them communally, which is something that’s not currently allowed?” Herz questioned.
The sense of ambiguity around how to proceed accentuates the challenges at hand. Lawmakers have yet to engage intensively with the topic, leaving the voices of those advocating for change waiting for a defined plan.
“The one thing that they’ve made really clear—during a reception in Juneau, Sealaska Interim President Joe Nelson, who also co-chairs the Alaska Federation of Natives, emphasized that they don’t have a specific ask yet,” Herz noted.
Nelson’s statements sought to clarify that the discussions around reforming the fishing permit system are not intended to disadvantage established fishers or ‘highliners,’ who make significant profits from fishing.
“We don’t want to take it out of the highliners,” Nelson stated, stressing the need for collaborative solutions that also consider the interests of current industry players.
Despite Nelson’s attempts to bridge the gap, skepticism remains prevalent among fishers who have built their livelihoods within the current system. Herz suggested that the ongoing effort to advocate for a more equitable system will require significant outreach to address the fears of industry stakeholders.
As the discourse on permit reform continues, the challenge of initiating meaningful dialogue with legislators remains. Herz conveyed that a lack of urgency from lawmakers has been particularly disheartening.
Speaking to Senate President Gary Stevens from Kodiak, who represents coastal constituents, Herz noted that Stevens exhibited a dismissive attitude towards the concerns raised about the fishing permit situation.
Herz recounted, “I mean, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. He was fairly extraordinarily dismissive. He declined to participate in a panel, and I sent out a survey to a bunch of coastal legislators that nobody filled out.”
When attempting to speak with Stevens in person, Herz noted, “His response was basically like, ‘Yeah, we’re gonna work on this. We’ll put some time and energy into it. But I don’t see any need to speak with you about this at all.'”
This reticence from Stevens came as a surprise, given the gravity of the issues facing his rural and Indigenous constituents. Nevertheless, he is well within his rights to decline participation in such discussions.
The overall sentiment, as articulated by Herz, is one of urgency mixed with frustration. While the need for systemic change exists, the lack of a coherent legislative response creates an atmosphere of uncertainty for coastal Alaskans. Advocates are determined to work toward a more inclusive and equitable fishing permit system, though substantial challenges remain in reaching consensus among various stakeholders within the industry.
As coastal Alaskans grapple with these economic challenges, the hope for a reformed and more accessible commercial fishing industry hangs in the balance. The stakeholders involved must navigate the complexities of existing laws while also addressing the aspirations of young Alaskans and rural communities seeking sustainable economic opportunities.
image source from：https://alaskapublic.org/news/politics/alaska-legislature/2025-06-10/alaska-commercial-fishing-limits-present-a-crisis-many-coastal-residents-say
