A Large Little Island, with a Big Fishing Community

Article Courtesy of Ivanoff Seafoods

Kodiak- a place where the rugged beauty of nature meets the hustle and bustle of a thriving fishing industry. Surrounded by vastly rich waters, commercial fishing is the heart of Kodiak’s economy and is the homeport for over 420 fishing vessels and provides moorage for over 230 additional vessels at times of the year. Kodiak Island is the 2nd largest fishing port in Alaskaand it regularly ranks top 3 in the nation by volume landed (397 million pounds in 2020). The emerald islands commercial fishing industry is unique in its diversity in people, processors, history and gear types.

While the majority of Kodiak’s fisheries are only operational seasonally, Kodiak’s bountiful waters with close regulation by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and other regulatory agencies allow for sustainable harvests to be brought to town all year long. The main targeted species that are caught around Kodiak Island are: halibut, salmon, cod, crab, sea cucumber, herring, pollock, sablefish, sole, flounder, and most recently kelp. Naming and regulating the species is one task, catching them is the other! Each fishery brings its own unique boat and gear type, some of the common ones you can see along the waterfront are: purse seiners, long liners, pot vessels, jiggers, scallopers, and trawlers. Many vessels target multiple species throughout the year so changing out gear and retrofitting boats for different fisheries is common. The two largest volume fisheries, salmon and pollock, are on opposite ends of the year. This allows for a steady working waterfront year round along Kodiak’s infamous cannery row. There are six processing facilities that you will find along cannery row: Trident Seafoods, North Pacific Seafoods, Pacific Seafood, Silver Bay Seafoods, Ocean Beauty, Icicle Seafoods and the newest and locally owned processor - Wild Source.

While Pollock is the main species that helps keep Kodiak cities economy moving in the WinterSalmon is the heart of Kodiak’s commercial fishing industry in the Summer. Beginning every May the harbors come alive with activity as the seiners get ready to target the return of the great salmon runs. Kodiak is unique in that all five species of salmon return here to spawn (sockeye, chinook, coho, keta, and pink). Pink salmon and sockeye salmon are the highest in volume returned each year. Seiners are not the only ones with all the salmon action. Tucked in lush green bays around the island you will find homesteads of set-netters catching their summer catch. The salmon season typically runs from the beginning of June to late September.

By now you probably know that Kodiak is a very large island with a small and welcoming community. The seclusion of the island and belonging to such a unique and ever changing industry brings a sense of camaraderie to Kodiak community that is unmatched. Take a stroll down the docks of our two main harbors St. Peters (downtown) and St. Hermans (Near Island), breathe in the salty air, and take a peek at the faces and boats who make up our thriving commercial fishing industry. Think you have what it takes to be a fisherman?

Welcome to Kodiak!