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VOICES FROM THE DOCK

An Independent Community Survey  —  Commercial fishing communities, Alaska 2026

This independent voluntary survey invites the human experience into the data that shapes fisheries management decisions. 

This survey presents an attempt to create a safe space to measure existing posture while also allowing a different posture to emerge within the commercial fishing ecosystem. 

It focuses on examining trends in: overall fishermen well-being, and the socioeconomic impacts of fisheries management decisions. 

Please take five minutes to anonymously complete and submit the survey provided below.

ABOUT YOU

1. How are you connected to the commercial fishing industry?

□  Deckhand / crew member

□  Tender crew

□  Captain / vessel owner

□  Family member of someone in the industry

□  Processor / shore worker

□  Other: _______________

Answer

2. How many years have you been connected to commercial fishing?

□  Less than 3 years

□  10–20 years

□  3–10 years

□  More than 20 years

Answer

WELLBEING & MENTAL HEALTH

3. On a scale of 1–5, how well does your work in the fishing industry support your overall wellbeing? 1 = not at all    5 = very well

Answer

4. In the fishing community, how comfortable do you feel talking openly about stress, mental health, or personal struggle? 1 = not comfortable at all    5 = very comfortable

Answer

5. What does the fishing industry get right — and wrong — when it comes to taking care of the people who work in it?

Answer

ECONOMIC REALITY

6. On a scale of 1–5, how financially stable has your work in fishing felt over the past three years? 1 = very unstable    5 = very stable

Answer

7. How has your fishing operation or role changed in the past 5–10 years — economically or logistically? e.g. quota costs, crew share, fuel, regulations, access...

Answer

8. What is the biggest non-environmental challenge facing people in commercial fishing right now?

Answer

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

9. On a scale of 1–5, how well do you feel fisheries management decisions reflect the realities of life on the water? 1 = not at all    5 = very well

Answer

10. What do you wish fisheries managers understood about your daily reality that they currently don’t?

Answer

CULTURE & IDENTITY

11. What knowledge or skills did you learn from family, community, or experience on the water that isn’t written down anywhere? Traditional knowledge, unspoken rules, instincts, passed-down practices...

Answer

12. How has your community changed since you started fishing — or since you’ve been connected to this industry?

Answer

FINAL QUESTION

13. Is there anything you’ve always wanted someone to ask you about this industry — but nobody ever has? This is that space.

Answer

This is an independent community project, not affiliated with any government agency or management body. Responses are anonymous and will be used to document the human experience of commercial fishing — with the goal of opening the conversation on how to continue creating positive impact in the comm fish industry across Alaska.