A variety of fishing gear and techniques are used in the fishing fleets in Alaska, and specific hazards are associated with each. The small boat or near-shore fleet fish for salmon, herring, halibut, and black cod, using gillnetting, long-lining, seining, and trolling. The shellfish fishery and the groundfish fishery comprise the offshore fleet which utilize crabbing and trawling gear.
Fatality rates varied substantially by
fishery, which differ in geographic location of
fishing grounds, type of harvesting equipment and techniques, time of year, and duration
of respective fishing seasons. Crabbing, a
shellfish fishery, is particularly hazardous because
harvesting of most crab species in Alaska generally
takes place during the winter months, often in
conditions of cold air and water temperatures, high
winds, snow, sleet, ice, short daylight hours, and
high seas. In addition, the basic equipment used
in crabbing are large steel cages ("pots") that
weigh up to 800 pounds each (empty) and require
great physical strength and the use of cranes for placement, retrieval, and stowage. Crab pots
also require fishermen to crawl inside to bait
them before they are launched over the side.
Stacking crab pots on deck can also severely
compromise vessel stability, especially if accompanied by
icing of the vessel structure and the crab pots.
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