Study shows impact Alaska Pollock Fishery has on economy – Alaska’s News Source

Report on the Socio-Economic Impact of the Alaska Pollock Fishery and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Executive Summary

Recent analysis highlights the significant economic contribution of the Alaska pollock fishery to the state of Alaska. Operating in the eastern Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska, the fishery is a critical driver of economic activity and employment, directly aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Contribution to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The Alaska pollock fishery serves as a cornerstone of the regional economy, promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The economic benefits are substantial and multifaceted.

• Total Economic Output: The fishery generates approximately $832 million in economic activity within the state of Alaska.
• Employment Generation: The industry supports nearly 6,000 jobs, contributing directly to SDG Target 8.5 on full and productive employment.
  • Direct Employment: 2,869 jobs in the harvesting and processing sectors.
  • Indirect and Induced Employment: An additional 3,450 jobs are supported through the industry’s supply chain and related economic activities.
• Local Income Generation: In 2023, the fishery generated $337 million in income for Alaskan residents, directly supporting local livelihoods and economic stability.

Alignment with SDG 14: Life Below Water

The economic viability of the pollock fishery is intrinsically linked to the sustainable management of marine resources, a core objective of SDG 14. The industry’s success demonstrates the potential to increase economic benefits from the sustainable use of marine resources, as outlined in SDG Target 14.7.

1. Sustainable Resource Management: The fishery’s continued productivity relies on science-based management practices that regulate harvesting to ensure the long-term health of pollock stocks and the marine ecosystem, aligning with SDG Target 14.4.
2. Economic Value of Marine Ecosystems: The $832 million in economic output underscores the immense value derived from a well-managed marine resource, providing a clear economic incentive for conservation and sustainable practices.

Broader Contributions to Global Goals

Beyond its primary impact on SDGs 8 and 14, the Alaska pollock fishery contributes to a wider range of global development objectives.

• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By providing stable employment and significant income, the fishery is a key tool for poverty reduction in coastal communities. Furthermore, as a major source of affordable, high-quality protein, Alaska pollock contributes significantly to global food security.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The fishery is a critical component of a global food supply chain. Its economic success is tied to sustainable production patterns that ensure the efficient and responsible use of natural resources, a central tenet of SDG 12.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on the Alaska pollock fishery primarily addresses two Sustainable Development Goals:

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

     This goal is central to the article, which focuses entirely on the economic contributions of the pollock fishery to Alaska. It details job creation, income generation for residents, and the overall economic output, all of which are core components of SDG 8.

   • SDG 14: Life Below Water

     While the article’s focus is economic, the industry in question is a fishery. This inherently connects the discussion to SDG 14, which aims to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” The economic benefits described are derived directly from a marine resource, linking the industry’s success to the principles of sustainable resource management.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Target 8.1: Sustainable economic growth

     This target aims to sustain per capita economic growth. The article directly addresses this by quantifying the fishery’s contribution to Alaska’s economy, stating, “in terms of economic output, $832 million of economic activity in the state of Alaska is attributable to the Alaskan Pollock Fishery.”

   • Target 8.5: Full and productive employment and decent work for all

     This target focuses on achieving full employment and decent work. The article highlights the fishery’s role in job creation, noting it impacts “around 6,000 jobs for the Last Frontier,” with “2,869 jobs associated with the fishery, that’s directly employed” and “another 3,450 jobs are associated with the fishery based on the purchases that Alaska Pollock companies make.” It also mentions the generation of “$337 million in income in 2023” for residents, which relates to the “decent work” aspect.

   • Target 14.7: Increase the economic benefits from the sustainable use of marine resources

     This target aims to increase the economic benefits that countries derive from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through the sustainable management of fisheries. The entire article serves as a case study for this target, detailing the significant economic benefits ($832 million in output and $337 million in income) generated from the Alaska pollock fishery.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article provides specific quantitative data that can serve as indicators for measuring progress:

   • Indicators for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

     • Total economic output: The article explicitly states “$832 million of economic activity” is attributable to the fishery. This figure is a direct indicator of the industry’s contribution to economic growth (Target 8.1).
     • Number of jobs created: The article provides precise figures for employment, mentioning “2,869 jobs directly employed” and “3,450 jobs” created through associated purchases. This directly measures progress towards employment goals (Target 8.5).
     • Income generated: The figure of “$337 million in income in 2023” for Alaskan residents is a clear indicator of the financial benefits and quality of work provided by the industry (Target 8.5).

   • Indicators for SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

     • Value of economic benefits from the fishery: The economic output ($832 million) and income ($337 million) figures serve as direct indicators for measuring the economic benefits derived from the sustainable use of this marine resource, as outlined in Target 14.7.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.1: Sustainable economic growth	Total economic output from the fishery ($832 million)
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.5: Full and productive employment and decent work for all	Number of direct jobs created (2,869) Number of associated jobs created (3,450) Total income generated for residents ($337 million)
   SDG 14: Life Below Water	14.7: Increase the economic benefits from the sustainable use of marine resources	Value of economic benefits derived from the fishery (e.g., $832 million in economic output)

Source: alaskasnewssource.com