North Pacific Fishing
Fleet and COVID-19
April 28, 2020
Item No 7a supp
Meeting Date: April 28, 2020
Agenda
• Fishing: essential work to feed our
Economy
• COVID-19 impact to our fishing
fleets
– Overview of different fleets
– Alaska response and impact to
fleet
– Fleet preparation
2
COVID-19 Briefing
Commercial Fishing Industry
3
Summary
• Two primary fleets.
• Large boats at T91 harvest and process Pollock, Pollock
roe, hake, yellow-fin sole and other flat fish.
• Smaller boats at FT harvest salmon, halibut, black cod
and other species.
Terminal 91
Fishermen’s Terminal
COVID-19 Briefing
Commercial Fishing Industry
4
Summary
• 11,300 jobs.
• $543 million in payroll.
• $1.4 billion in business output.
• 13% of total US commercial
fisheries harvest by value.
• 44% of all gross earnings from U.S.
North Pacific Fisheries.
• 72% of commercial fish biomass
from U.S. North Pacific Fisheries is
exported.
• Seafood is in the NWSA’s top five
export commodities by value.
COVID-19 Briefing
Commercial Fishing Industry
5
Actions by State of Alaska
• Governor has issued two health
mandates affecting commercial
fishing.
• Self-quarantine for 14 days.
• Restrictions on in-state travel.
• Commercial fishing is classified as an
essential activity for the State of
Alaska and the Port of Seattle.
COVID-19 Briefing
Commercial Fishing Industry
6
Actions by State of Alaska
• Each vessel must submit Community
Workforce Protective Plan to DHS.
• 32 AK communities have enacted local
rules.
• Vessels must check-in with harbor
master.
• 14-day quarantine is preferred.
• Vessel transit from Lower 48 to AK can
be included in quarantine period.
• Information on compliance with AK
requirements available on CFEC web
site.
COVID-19 Briefing
Commercial Fishing Industry
7
Actions by large boat fleet
• At least one company is working
with CTA to use Smith Cove
Cruise Terminal for testing.
• Working with AFISHC, a cross-
industry group in WA and AK.
COVID-19 Briefing
Commercial Fishing Industry
8
Actions by large boat fleet
• Health screening.
• Limiting Vessel Access.
• Critical Crew kept aboard.
• Fishers are working to meet AK
guidelines.
• Fishing Associations are providing
information.
• POS fishing facilities are open and
serving the fleets.
COVID-19 Briefing
Commercial Fishing Industry
9
Actions by small boat fleet
• Fishers are working to meet AK guidelines.
• Fishing Associations are providing information.
• POS fishing facilities are open and serving the fleets.
What additional support is needed?
10
