Spatial distribution of economic multipliers for Southwest Alaska fisheries

Abstract

Alaska fisheries are characterized by a large leakage of revenues and value-added generated in the fisheries due to heavy reliance on imported inputs. A large portion of the multiplier effects from Alaska fisheries flow to other states, reducing benefits accruing to Alaska households. In this case, various policymakers (national and regional economic development policymakers as well as fisheries managers) may want to know how much of the total economic impact from a fisheries management action remains in Alaska and how much flows elsewhere. To help address this question, this study uses a 10-region multi-regional social accounting matrix (10MRSAM) model for Southwest Alaska (SWAK) fisheries to examine how economic impacts are distributed across regions for each of the major species caught and landed in each of the six SWAK boroughs and census areas (BCAs). We find, among other things, that 60–80% of total US household income generated from the SWAK fisheries is earned by non-Alaska households, depending on the species caught and the region where the fish is landed. The information on the spatial distribution of impacts resulting from fisheries management actions as described by the components of the relevant regional multipliers will be a useful tool for policymakers making decisions regarding Alaska fisheries.