This document describes the fatal events in the Alaska commercial fishing industry and recommends strategies to prevent or reduce the seriousness of these events.
Fishing fatality rates vary substantially by fishery. Alaskan fisheries differ in geographic location of fishing grounds, type of harvesting equipment and techniques, time of year, and duration. Crabbing is particularly hazardous, because harvesting of most crab species in Alaska generally takes place during the winter months, with short daylight hours and often in rough weather conditions.
The etiologic factors for Alaska commercial fishing deaths are complex. Type of harvesting equipment and techniques, fatigue, and environmental conditions contribute to the severity of these events. The critical factors that must be addressed for definitive prevention efforts in this industry are vessel stability and hull integrity, training and licensing of skippers and crew, management practices, human factors, avoidance of the harsh sea and weather conditions, falls overboard, and unsafe diving practices.
The progress made in the previous six years in saving the lives of fishermen has
occurred primarily in saving lives after a vessel casualty. Fishermen now generally know how
to use the safety equipment required by the Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety
Act and the highly effective men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard are often able to
rescue them. We recommend augmenting this approach to commercial fishing fatalities
by preventing these disasters in the first place, as well as preparing to react to them if
they should occur.
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