Alaska Seafood Processing

Alaska’s seafood industry harvests and processes fish and shellfish that make up roughly 63 percent of United States seafood landings. A 2026 economic impact report covering 2023 and 2024 data gives the industry’s scale in jobs, income and value.[1]

Scale of the industry

The report counts 41,800 workers directly employed in Alaska, equal to 24,100 average annual jobs, and more than 15,000 Alaskans from over 120 communities working in the industry. Including multiplier effects, it estimates $1.9 billion in Alaska labor income. Nationally the industry supports 55,400 annual jobs and $3.4 billion in labor income.[1]

Harvest and processing

Fishermen harvested an average of 5.1 billion pounds, worth $1.5 billion at the dock. Processors turned the harvest into 2.4 billion pounds of finished product valued at $4.2 billion, adding $2.7 billion in value through processing and distribution.[1]

Economic contribution

The report gives $5.2 billion in economic activity statewide in its body text, while its headline gives $5.3 billion, about 7 percent of Alaska’s gross domestic product, and the source does not explain the difference. It puts Alaska seafood’s contribution to the national economy at $7.4 billion and notes more than $125 million in taxes, regulatory fees and industry self-assessments in 2024. Alaska accounts for about 63 percent of United States seafood landings and about 1 percent of global seafood production.[1]

FAQs

How many people work in Alaska seafood? 41,800 workers directly employed, or 24,100 annual jobs.

What share of U.S. seafood comes from Alaska? About 63 percent of landings.

Which years does the report cover? 2023 and 2024.

Sources

1. Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute: 2026 Alaska Seafood Industry Economic Impact Report

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue