Southeast Alaska has more than 10,000 estuaries that flow into the bays, fjords, and channels, then coalesce to form a single overarching estuary system. For communities in the Panhandle, this literally amounts to a fish factory—one of the greatest on earth—producing over a billion dollars worth of commercial fish alone for world consumption every year.
We can look at the wealth derived from Southeast Alaska’s environment as nature’s dividend. Unlike other industries that must purchase raw materials, the cost of goods for this extraordinary enterprise is virtually zero. No amount of human ingenuity can improve on the Panhandle’s rich and reliable ecological system, nor could we design a more perfect business model.
We call this remarkable ecological and economic system SEABANK.
The economic health of Southeast Alaska is directly tied to the stability and health of our environment. To understand the economic side of this equation, SEABANK draws from research on the dollar value of marine resources harvested in the region—most importantly salmon, halibut, shellfish, and black cod. We further include the value of tourism and ecosystem services which also depend on the natural environment.
Southeast Alaska’s economy is highly dependent on the region’s rich natural resources. SalmonState contracted with McDowell Group, an Alaska-based research and consulting firm, to measure the economic impacts in Southeast Alaska of three transboundary watersheds: Taku, Stikine, and Unuk Rivers.
Economic Value of the Alaska Seafood IndustryThe Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) contracted with McDowell Group, an Alaska-based research firm, to measure the economic impact of the Alaska seafood industry in the state of Alaska (statewide and regionally), in Washington State, and in the U.S. economy overall. |
Southeast Alaska By The Numbers - 2015This publication tells two stories about the regional economy: a positive tale of five-year trends, and a more sobering one-year analysis and future forecast. |
Southeast Alaska By The Numbers - 2014In 2013 the Southeast Alaska economy—which had been in an expansion phase for the previous five years—stopped growing.Both the population and the number of workers in the region grew by a mere 19 people, which is akin to no growth at all. Total wages grew by two percent. Economic trends statewide were nearly identical. This report provides a snapshot of the economic health of Southeast Alaska. |
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