Historical and Cultural Importance of Alaska Fisheries

Moderators: Steve Klein and Carl Jack
Email: Steve_klein@fws.gov

Date: Monday, September 12, 2005
Time: 3:40 pm to 5:20 pm
Location: Egan 4

This symposium will review the diverse nature of Alaska’s fisheries in the context of their cultural and historical importance, both from traditional knowledge and western science perspectives. Papers are included that review subsistence, commercial, and recreational fisheries from a historical perspective. Alaska supports diverse freshwater and marine ecosystems that include over 500 species of fishes. Many of these species support economically and culturally important subsistence, commercial, and recreational fisheries. Alaska Native cultures have subsisted on these abundant fishery resources for centuries, so that today fish and Alaska Native cultures are intricately woven together. Over 270 villages in rural Alaska remain highly dependent upon fishery resources for food, sustenance, and their cultures, with over 200 pounds of fish consumed per capita in rural Alaska. Additionally, commercial fisheries harvest over 50 species in Alaska, producing billions of dollars annually and providing the highest employment industry in Alaska, while recreational fisheries, newly developed over the past decades, have further expanded the value of fishery resources. The history of the development and management of Alaska’s fisheries provides valuable lessons that can better inform fisheries managers to face today’s challenges. Past Fisheries History Section symposia focusing on regional fisheries have attracted diverse audiences, testifying to the broad interest of AFS members in learning about the historical context of today’s resource issues. In recognition of the significant role of Alaska Native Peoples in the development and conservation of fishery resources, this symposium is co-sponsored by the Native Peoples Fisheries Section to ensure that historical and cultural perspectives will be provided by those most dependent upon these resources.

Link to list of presentations in this symposium

Sponsors:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

AFS Fisheries History Section

AFS Native Peoples Fisheries Section