Fishing Jobs in Alaska

- Links and Resources

Alaska fishing jobs. We've all heard the tales. Tales about brave fishermen going out to Dutch Harbor to fish the high seas of the Bering Sea. Tales about making small fortunes in one season. In the late 80's, men made small mints. Today, those brave fishermen still clamber into vessels in search of the Alaska's seafood bounties.

About your best bet at getting an Alaska fishing job is to hustle the docks and look for a chance at an opening. I don't know too many captains that would hire someone without seeing their work first and getting to know who you are. On the other hand, you can land a seafood processing job at a shore-based fish plant with a good application and a little persistence.

The best places to look for a fishing job would be Kodiak and Dutch Harbor. Airfare from Anchorage to Kodiak is running around $200 one-way while Dutch Harbor runs as high as $750. The Kenai Peninsula is home to many fishing ports including Homer, Seward, the Kenai docks which are all accessible via highway from Anchorage. Additionally, there are many of other fishing ports throughout Alaska's coastline.

You're going to need some gear. The first thing you need is a crew member's license. These are running around $180. You'll also need insulated XtraTuff boots-$90, rain gear-$150 to $180, a sleeping bag-$25 to $100 depending on whether your bunk room is heated or not. There will be additional costs as well. Now if you add all this up you better hope you land a job and catch some fish!

Furthermore, it's not uncommon to get "greenhorn" pay your first year out which means only half shares!

If you're really determined to get a fishing job in Alaska, hustling the docks in Kodiak would be a good start. There are ways around some of the above costs and a few shortcuts with a little luck. An Alaska fishing job is certainly a positive landmark in one's life, and though there many hurdles above don't let my harping stop you from your dreams. I'd go for it. 

Below are some useful links and resources to help in your search for work.

Fishing Jobs in Alaska - The Myth
www.labor.state.ak.us/esd_alaska_jobs/seafood.htm

Alaska Department of Labor- Seafood Jobs
www.labor.state.ak.us/esd_alaska_jobs/ak_jobs.htm

Alaska Online Newspapers

Anchorage Daily News - www.adn.com
Peninsula Clarion (Kenai) - www.peninsulaclarion.com
Kodiak Daily Mirror - www.kodiakdailymirror.com
Juneau Empire - www.juneauempire.com
Homer News - www.homernews.com

Dutch Harbor Fisherman
P.O. Box 920472 Dutch Harbor, Alaska 99692,
Phone: 907-581-2092, Fax: 907-581-2090
A weekly newspaper serving the Aleutian Islands from
Nelson Lagoon to Adak, and the Pribilof Islands as well.
 
The Bristol Bay Times
P.O. Box 1770, Dillingham, Alaska 99576
Phone: 907-842-5572, Fax: 907-842-5562
 
The Cordova Times
528 Second Street, Cordova
Mail: P.O. Box 200, Cordova, AK 99574
Phone: 907-424-7181, Fax: 907-424-5799

The Seward Phoenix Log
302 Railway Avenue, Seward
Mail: P.O. Box 89, Seward, AK 99664
Phone: 907-224-8070, Fax 907-224-3157

The Valdez Vanguard
224 Galena, Valdez
Mail: P.O. Box 98, Valdez, AK 99686-0098
Phone: 907-835-2211, Fax: 907835-5101

Internet Resources

Alaska Fish Jobs Guide 2003
www.alaskafishjobs.com

Alaska Fishing Jobs Clearinghouse - service fee
www.fishingjobs.com

Alaska Job Finder.com - affordable service fee
www.alaskajobfinder.com/jobSeekers/

AlaskaFishingJobs.com - Step by step guide, services & information.
www.alaskafishingjobs.com

Job Monkey.com - Alaska jobs section
www.jobmonkey.com/alaska/

Alaska's Fisherman's Journal - Classifieds section & Help Wanted listings..
www.afjournal.com/

Northern Fisheries
www.northernfisheries.com