An inside look at Seattle’s fishing industry

October is National Seafood Month. This is the perfect time to take a look at the robust systems that support the fleets that catch our fish. This unique network of professionals, from shipbuilders to pipe fitters to marine electricians and more, helps boost the local economy and offers a range of career opportunities.

When fishing fleets stationed at Terminal 91 of the Port of Seattle on the Seattle Waterfront in Interbay return loaded with their catch, a single ship could carry fillet blocks, sirloin blocks, surimi, roe, fish meal and fish oil, says Kelli Goodwin. Senior Manager, Maritime Operations in the Port of Seattle. These products are separated and loaded into export carriers, on-site freezer warehouses, railway wagons (for fish oil) or long-haul trucks for domestic distribution.

“The next fish finger or fish fillet sandwich you eat was likely caught by a ship that calls Seattle home,” Goodwin says.

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Jobs in support of fishing

According to the port’s latest 2017 Economic Impact Report, an estimated 7,200 jobs directly supported commercial fishing in the Port of Seattle and our fleet’s gross revenues in Alaska’s fisheries were more than $ 1 billion – 44% of all gross revenues from the North Pacific Fishing. Overall, fishing vessels stationed at the Port of Seattle piers account for 13% of the total US commercial fishing crop by tonnage!

The various positions that keep the fishing industry going seem almost endless, Goodwin says. In addition to the crews on the ships and the workers in the shipyards, there are many more. These workers include naval architects, ship builders, pipe fitters, painters, administrators, and security professionals. The professions that work under the umbrella of equipment manufacturing include network manufacturers, engine builders; Fish factory equipment in the ships that moves, sorts and cuts the fish; Winch manufacturers and more.

Maritime shipping is a vibrant, exciting and vital industry in the Pacific Northwest, says Goodwin. There are jobs and careers that match a wide variety of skills and interests. You can work with your hands, spend time with high-tech devices and computers, or work with people. Maritime careers also pay well – about $ 20,000 more than the Washington state average.

Another facility in the local fishing arena is the Groundfish Forum, a trade association for the fishing industry that represents five member companies operating 19 vessels. According to Executive Director Chris Woodley, these vessels catch and process fish at sea, including yellowfin sole, rock sole, flat head sole, atka mackerel, Pacific ocean perch and Pacific cod. All of these seafood is sustainably harvested from the cold, pristine waters of the Bering Sea, the Aleutian Islands, and the Gulf of Alaska.

“From the deck to the wheelhouse to the processing line, operating our catcher processing vessels requires a large number of dedicated crew members with very different skills,” says Woodley. “This includes the fish processors, licensed US Coast Guard personnel, refrigeration specialists, marine electricians, fish crews, purser, cooks and others.”

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Invest in the future

These jobs strengthen the region’s economy, but also many other aspects of fishing. Woodley says that to safely manufacture exceptional quality fish products in a highly competitive international marketplace, Groundfish Forum member companies have allocated over $ 300 million to new vessel construction and retrofitting.

An example of the new Washington State shipbuilding project, a $ 75 million boat, was the largest private shipbuilding investment in the past 12 years. These new vessels are highly efficient, which ensures these nutritious, low-carbon footprint fish can be harvested sustainably – less than chicken, beef or plant-based foods, Woodley says.

“After 9-10 months of fishing in Alaska, our ships return to Puget Sound every fall for an extended docking time,” says Woodley. “From the end of October to January, the ships are usually pulled out of the water for maintenance. Our fleet spends around 32 million US dollars annually during this time. “

The sustainability story of seafood

One of the world’s largest certified sustainable fisheries is the Wild Alaska Pollock Fishery. It’s often found in surimi, fish tacos, and fish fingers. A real “super” fish, low in fat, high in protein, heart healthy and full of omega-3 fatty acids.

According to Goodwin, a recent study found that Wild Alaska Pollock has the smallest carbon footprint of almost any other protein on the planet.

“Our fishermen take sustainability very seriously and consider protecting the Wild Alaska Pollock and our environment as their top priority,” says Goodwin. Wild Alaskan pollock, Pacific cod, yellowfin sole, rock sole, flat head sole, atka mackerel, and perch found in the Pacific Ocean are all certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council and the Responsible Fishery Management Program.

Reasons enough to eat more fish.

Join in Seattle Propeller Club to celebrate our thriving fishing industry. Seattle has been home to the North Pacific fishing fleet for more than 100 years. For recipes, news, and events, visit PacificNorthwestSeafood101.com.