Community Profiles foNorth Pacific Fisheries -Alaska Volume 5

219 Pages·2013·2.51 MB·English

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-AFSC-259

Community Profiles for
North Pacific Fisheries - Alaska

Volume 5
by
A. Himes-Cornell, K. Hoelting, C. Maguire, L. Munger-Little,
J. Lee, J. Fisk, R. Felthoven, C. Geller, and P. Little
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Marine Fisheries Service

Alaska Fisheries Science Center

November 2013
NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS
The National Marine Fisheries Service's Alaska Fisheries Science Center
uses the NOAA Technical Memorandum series to issue informal scientific and
technical publications when complete formal review and editorial processing
are not appropriate or feasible. Documents within this series reflect sound
professional work and may be referenced in the formal scientific and technical
literature.
The NMFS-AFSC Technical Memorandum series of the Alaska Fisheries
Science Center continues the NMFS-F/NWC series established in 1970 by the
Northwest Fisheries Center. The NMFS-NWFSC series is currently used by
the Northwest Fisheries Science Center.
This document should be cited as follows:

Himes-Cornell, A., K. Hoelting, C. Maguire, L. Munger-Little,
J. Lee, J. Fisk, R. Felthoven, C. Geller, and P. 2013. Community
profiles for North Pacific fisheries - Alaska. U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA
Tech. Memo. NMFS-AFSC-259, Volume 5, 210 p.
Reference in this document to trade names does not imply endorsement by
the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA.
NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-AFSC-259

Community Profiles for

North Pacific Fisheries - Alaska

Volume 5
by
A. Himes-Cornell, K. Hoelting, C. Maguire, L. Munger-Little,
J. Lee, J. Fisk, R. Felthoven, C. Geller, and P. Little
Alaska Fisheries Science Center

Resource Ecology and Fisheries Assessment Division

Economics and Social Sciences Research Program

7600 Sand Point Way N.E.

Seattle, WA 98115

www.afsc.noaa.gov

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Penny. S. Pritzker, Secretary
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Kathryn D. Sullivan, Under Secretary and Administrator
National Marine Fisheries Service
Samuel D. Rauch III, Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries
November 2013
This document is available to the public through:
National Technical Information Service
U.S. Department of Commerce
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
www.ntis.gov
NOAA-TM-AFSC-259 – Volume 5
Community Profiles for North Pacific Fisheries – Alaska: Prince William Sound

Kodiak Island Archipelago

REGIONAL INTRODUCTION: KODIAK ISLAND ARCHIPELAGO ............................... 1
COMMUNITIES .............................................................................................................................. 1
PEOPLE AND PLACE...................................................................................................................... 2
Location .................................................................................................................................. 2
Demographic Profile .............................................................................................................. 2
History..................................................................................................................................... 3
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................. 5
GOVERNANCE .............................................................................................................................. 6
INVOLVEMENT IN NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES .............................................................................. 7
REGIONAL CHALLENGES .............................................................................................................. 8
AKHIOK ...................................................................................................................................... 10
PEOPLE AND PLACE.................................................................................................................... 10
Location ............................................................................................................................... 10
Demographic Profile ............................................................................................................ 10
History, Traditional Knowledge, and Culture ...................................................................... 13
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................... 14
CURRENT ECONOMY .................................................................................................................. 14
GOVERNANCE ............................................................................................................................ 17
INFRASTRUCTURE ...................................................................................................................... 18
Connectivity and Transportation .......................................................................................... 18
Facilities ............................................................................................................................... 19
Medical Services ................................................................................................................... 19
Educational Opportunities .................................................................................................... 19
INVOLVEMENT IN NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES ............................................................................ 19
History and Evolution of Fisheries ....................................................................................... 19
Processing Plants.................................................................................................................. 21
Fisheries-Related Revenue .................................................................................................... 22
Commercial Fishing.............................................................................................................. 22
Recreational Fishing ............................................................................................................. 29
Subsistence Fishing ............................................................................................................... 32
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ....................................................................................................... 32
KARLUK ..................................................................................................................................... 35
PEOPLE AND PLACE.................................................................................................................... 35
Location ............................................................................................................................... 35
Demographic Profile ............................................................................................................ 35
History, Traditional Knowledge, and Culture ...................................................................... 38
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................... 39
CURRENT ECONOMY .................................................................................................................. 40
GOVERNANCE ............................................................................................................................ 44
INFRASTRUCTURE ...................................................................................................................... 45
Connectivity and Transportation .......................................................................................... 45
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NOAA-TM-AFSC-259 – Volume 5
Community Profiles for North Pacific Fisheries – Alaska: Kodiak Island Archipelago

Facilities ............................................................................................................................... 46
Medical Services ................................................................................................................... 46
Educational Opportunities .................................................................................................... 47
INVOLVEMENT IN NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES ............................................................................ 47
History and Evolution of Fisheries ....................................................................................... 47
Processing Plants.................................................................................................................. 49
Fisheries-Related Revenue .................................................................................................... 50
Commercial Fishing.............................................................................................................. 50
Recreational Fishing ............................................................................................................. 58
Subsistence Fishing ............................................................................................................... 60
KODIAK ..................................................................................................................................... 64
PEOPLE AND PLACE.................................................................................................................... 64
Location ............................................................................................................................... 64
Demographic Profile ............................................................................................................ 64
History, Traditional Knowledge, and Culture ...................................................................... 67
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................... 68
CURRENT ECONOMY .................................................................................................................. 71
GOVERNANCE ............................................................................................................................ 74
INFRASTRUCTURE ...................................................................................................................... 75
Connectivity and Transportation .......................................................................................... 75
Facilities ............................................................................................................................... 76
Medical Services ................................................................................................................... 77
Educational Opportunities .................................................................................................... 77
INVOLVEMENT IN NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES ............................................................................ 77
History and Evolution of Fisheries ....................................................................................... 77
Processing Plants.................................................................................................................. 78
Fisheries-Related Revenue .................................................................................................... 81
Commercial Fishing.............................................................................................................. 81
Recreational Fishing ............................................................................................................. 93
Subsistence Fishing ............................................................................................................... 95
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ....................................................................................................... 96
LARSEN BAY ............................................................................................................................. 99
PEOPLE AND PLACE.................................................................................................................... 99
Location ............................................................................................................................... 99
Demographic Profile ............................................................................................................ 99
History, Traditional Knowledge, and Culture .................................................................... 102
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................. 102
CURRENT ECONOMY ................................................................................................................ 104
GOVERNANCE .......................................................................................................................... 106
INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................................................................................... 108
Connectivity and Transportation ........................................................................................ 108
Facilities ............................................................................................................................. 108
Medical Services ................................................................................................................. 108
Educational Opportunities .................................................................................................. 108
INVOLVEMENT IN NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES .......................................................................... 109
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NOAA-TM-AFSC-259 – Volume 5
Community Profiles for North Pacific Fisheries – Alaska: Kodiak Island Archipelago

History and Evolution of Fisheries ..................................................................................... 109
Processing Plants................................................................................................................ 111
Fisheries-Related Revenue .................................................................................................. 111
Commercial Fishing............................................................................................................ 112
Recreational Fishing ........................................................................................................... 119
Subsistence Fishing ............................................................................................................. 122
OLD HARBOR ......................................................................................................................... 125
PEOPLE AND PLACE.................................................................................................................. 125
Location .............................................................................................................................. 125
Demographic Profile .......................................................................................................... 125
History, Traditional Knowledge, and Culture .................................................................... 128
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................. 129
CURRENT ECONOMY ................................................................................................................ 130
GOVERNANCE .......................................................................................................................... 133
INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................................................................................... 135
Connectivity and Transportation ........................................................................................ 135
Facilities ............................................................................................................................. 135
Medical Services ................................................................................................................. 135
Educational Opportunities .................................................................................................. 135
INVOLVEMENT IN NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES .......................................................................... 136
History and Evolution of Fisheries ..................................................................................... 136
Processing Plants................................................................................................................ 139
Fisheries-Related Revenue .................................................................................................. 139
Commercial Fishing............................................................................................................ 139
Recreational Fishing ........................................................................................................... 148
Subsistence Fishing ............................................................................................................. 150
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 151
OUZINKIE ............................................................................................................................... 155
PEOPLE AND PLACE.................................................................................................................. 155
Location ............................................................................................................................. 155
Demographic Profile .......................................................................................................... 155
History, Traditional Knowledge, and Culture .................................................................... 158
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................. 159
CURRENT ECONOMY ................................................................................................................ 160
GOVERNANCE .......................................................................................................................... 162
INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................................................................................... 164
Connectivity and Transportation ........................................................................................ 164
Facilities ............................................................................................................................. 165
Medical Services ................................................................................................................. 165
Educational Opportunities .................................................................................................. 165
INVOLVEMENT IN NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES .......................................................................... 166
History and Evolution of Fisheries ..................................................................................... 166
Processing Plants................................................................................................................ 169
Fisheries-Related Revenue .................................................................................................. 169
Commercial Fishing............................................................................................................ 169
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NOAA-TM-AFSC-259 – Volume 5
Community Profiles for North Pacific Fisheries – Alaska: Kodiak Island Archipelago

Recreational Fishing ........................................................................................................... 179
Subsistence Fishing ............................................................................................................. 181
PORT LIONS ............................................................................................................................ 185
PEOPLE AND PLACE.................................................................................................................. 185
Location ............................................................................................................................. 185
Demographic Profile .......................................................................................................... 185
History, Traditional Knowledge, and Culture .................................................................... 188
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................. 188
CURRENT ECONOMY ................................................................................................................ 189
GOVERNANCE .......................................................................................................................... 191
INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................................................................................... 192
Connectivity and Transportation ........................................................................................ 192
Facilities ............................................................................................................................. 193
Medical Services ................................................................................................................. 193
Educational Opportunities .................................................................................................. 193
INVOLVEMENT IN NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES .......................................................................... 194
History and Evolution of Fisheries ..................................................................................... 194
Processing Plants................................................................................................................ 196
Fisheries-Related Revenue .................................................................................................. 196
Commercial Fishing............................................................................................................ 197
Recreational Fishing ........................................................................................................... 205
Subsistence Fishing ............................................................................................................. 207
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 207

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NOAA-TM-AFSC-259 – Volume 5
Community Profiles for North Pacific Fisheries – Alaska: Kodiak Island Archipelago

Regional Introduction: Kodiak Island Archipelago

Communities

Akhiok Larsen Bay
Alitak Bay* Old Harbor
Karluk Ouzinkie
Kodiak Port Lions

*Included in Akhiok
NOAA-TM-AFSC-259 – Volume 5
Community Profiles for North Pacific Fisheries – Alaska: Kodiak Island Archipelago
People and Place

Location

The communities profiled in this section are located in the Kodiak Island archipelago, a
group of islands located in the Western Gulf of Alaska. The largest island is Kodiak Island, the
second largest island in the country, encompassing approximately 3,500 square miles and
spanning 100 miles in length. Others are Afognak Island, Sitkalidak Island, the Trinity Islands,
Raspberry Island, Shuyak Island, and Marmot Island and many additional small islands.1 The
archipelago is approximately 25 miles across the Shelikof Strait from the Katmai Coast of the
Alaska Peninsula, and 90 miles southwest of the Kenai Peninsula.2 In total, the area of the
Kodiak Island Borough includes 6,559.8 square miles of land and 5,463.8 square miles of water.
The islands are located at approximately 57.8° N. latitude and -152.4° W longitude. The most
populous city, Kodiak, is located on the eastern shore of Kodiak Island, and is about 252 air
miles south of Anchorage.
The influence of surrounding ocean waters protects the islands from extreme
temperatures. Average monthly temperatures in this area vary from 32° to 62° F. There is
frequent cloud cover on Kodiak Island as well as fog, with moderate rain, and rare if any
freezing weather. Harsh storms during the months of December through February are common
with winds sometimes reaching 90 miles-per-hour. On the windward side of the island the yearly
precipitation is 60 inches and 40 inches on the leeward side. These intense winds and rain often
result in airport closures or delays.3

Demographic Profile

In 2010, the total population of the Kodiak Island Borough was 13,592. That year, just
under half of Borough residents resided in the City of Kodiak (45.1%), with a population of
6,130. The other six communities profiled in this section had populations of between 37 and 218
in 2010.4
In 2010, just over half of Kodiak Island Borough residents identified themselves as White
(55%), along with 19.6% who identified as Asian, 13.2% as American Indian or Alaska Native,
0.7% as Black or African American, 0.6% as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 0.5,
2.9% as ‘Some Other Race’, and 7.6% that identified as two or more races. In addition, 7.3% of
Kodiak Island Borough residents identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino in 2010. It is
important to note that, other than in the City of Kodiak, a majority of the population of all other
communities profiled in this section identified themselves as American Indian or Alaska Native,
from 51% identifying as Native in Ouzinkie to 100% in Karluk. In comparison, 9.9% of the
population of the City of Kodiak identified themselves as Native in 2010, along with 13.8% that

1 Kodiak, Alaska’s Emerald Island. (2008). The Kodiak Island Archipelago. Retrieved November 29, 2012 from
http://www.kodiak.org/explore-kodiak/the-kodiak-islands/46-the-kodiak-islands.html.
2 Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources. (2011). Kodiak Island Natural History. Retrieved November 28, 2012 from
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/kodiak/nathistory.htm.
3 Alaska Dept. of Comm. and Rural Affairs. (n.d.). Community Database Online. Retrieved October 17, 2011 from
http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CF_BLOCK.htm.
4 U.S. Census Bureau (2010). Profile of selected social, economic and housing characteristics of all places within
Alaska. Datasets utilized include the 2010 (Demographic Profile SF) Decennial Census. Retrieved November 1,
2011 from http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml.
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