Alaska Pollock Catcher/Processor Fleet Profile

The Alaska pollock catcher/processor fleet was developed following the passage of the 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Act extended fisheries jurisdiction to 200 miles from shore and gave American vessels priority access to fishing grounds within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

By the late 1980s, the APA member vessels were an important component of the “Americanization” of the Alaska pollock fishery and other Alaska groundfish fisheries. “Americanization” of the west coast Pacific whiting fishery followed soon thereafter. This U.S.-flag fleet makes vital contributions to the Alaska and the Pacific Northwest economies. The fleet has created thousands of family-wage jobs in the fishing industry and supports many more jobs in support industries.

Because at-sea catcher/processors are able to catch, process, package and freeze fish onboard within hours of harvest, the products are of the highest quality. These products include fish fillets, roe, surimi, and fish meal. In addition to providing whitefish products for domestic use, APA members export products, principally to Japan and countries in the European Union.

The Bering Sea groundfish fishery off Alaska comprises about one dozen species, including Alaska pollock, Pacific cod, rockfish, yellowfin sole and rock sole. The fisheries are widely regarded as among the best managed fisheries in the world. According to NOAA Fisheries annual status of fisheries report, not a single species in the Bering Sea fishery is overfished, or approaching an overfished condition. Most Alaska groundfish fisheries, including Alaska pollock, halibut, sablefish (black cod), Pacific cod, and various flounder and sole fisheries meet the independent Marine Stewardship Council’s standard for sustainable fishing.

Federal fishery scientists and managers are successful in maintaining sustainable fisheries in the North Pacific because they use the most sophisticated stock assessment technology, and then set conservative catch limits (quotas) for each species. Each APA catcher/processor vessel carries two federally certified fisheries observers onboard at all times to monitor catch amounts and collect scientific information. Fishing stops when the catch quota is met.