The Alaska Salmon Fishery:

Abstract

Historically, the Alaska salmon industry has been a model of success. Years ago, when historical stocks were diminishing, salmon habitats were saved and salmon populations were increased through the world's most productive hatchery system. In 1993, the Alaska salmon harvest reached a historic high. However, in the same year, real salmon prices continued their five-year decline and ended at all-time lows. Success in regulating supply has been offset by a near complete disregard for the growing competition from farmed fish and for changing demand patterns. Today, the Alaska salmon industry desperately needs innovations in demand-related fields such as product design, quality control, marketing, and so forth. Without an increased awareness of competition and the changing consumer, the Alaska salmon industry will continue to see continued industry hardship and more decreasing profits than it ever imagined possible just a few years ago.