Alaska’s Fishing Industry Faces Uncertain Waters as NOAA Cuts Threaten Science, Safety, and Sustainability

Posted on April 18, 2025

Last month, we shared an alert about proposed federal cuts to NOAA’s budget—cuts that would eliminate climate research and undermine the science our fishing communities rely on. Since then, we’ve been closely tracking the issue and what it could mean for Alaska’s fishermen, fish stocks, and future harvests.

This follow-up breaks down the deeper implications of these cuts, what’s at stake for Alaska’s fishing communities and why the science behind our fisheries matters now more than ever.

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The commercial fishing industry in Alaska is no stranger to change, whether due to shifting fish populations, evolving regulations, or the increasing impacts of climate change. However, the proposed federal budget cuts targeting NOAA present a new and alarming challenge. A leaked memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) indicates plans to slash NOAA’s budget by $1.7 billion, which includes eliminating its Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and drastically reducing funding for environmental monitoring.

Why this matters to Alaska Fishermen and Coastal Communities:

• We rely on climate science every day—it informs the spectrum of decisions each captain must make before leaving home.

• We rely on insights into temperature shifts, ocean currents, acidification, and weather patterns—to understand what’s happening on the water and plan a successful harvest.

• We rely on long-term data to track fish movement and monitor habitat changes—the same information used to keep harvest levels sustainable and fisheries productive.

• We rely on the ability to monitor ocean changes—without it, key species like salmon and pollock face increased risk of stock crashes and unstable fishing seasons.

• We rely on accurate weather and marine forecasts to stay safe at sea—cuts mean less reliable information about storms, winds, and ocean conditions.

• We rely on sound science to guide harvest levels—without it, uncertainty will lead to uncertain Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits.

• We rely on generations of fisheries knowledge and scientific expertise housed within NOAA Fisheries—once that’s lost, it could take decades to rebuild.

• We rely on management systems shaped by Alaska fishermen and communities—systems grounded in science and stakeholder input to keep harvests strong and fisheries healthy.

Without these insights, fishermen navigate unpredictable waters without reliable projections to guide their harvests. Climate-driven shifts in fish habitats may go unmonitored, leading to unexpected declines or overfishing for some species, or missed opportunity in others. These data gaps would fundamentally disrupt an industry that depends on precise science to ensure long-term sustainability.

Alaska’s fishing industry relies on a delicate balance, ensuring sustainable harvests while protecting marine ecosystems. Fisheries management strategies guided by environmental data, monitoring programs, and ongoing research collaborations uphold this equilibrium. However, with NOAA’s climate research experiencing significant cuts, the industry risks losing access to these essential tools.

One of the biggest concerns is the impact of changing ocean temperatures on fish stocks. Species like salmon and pollock rely on specific temperature ranges for survival, and shifts in ocean conditions can affect their migration routes and population stability. NOAA’s research helps predict these changes, enabling fisheries managers to adjust quotas and fishing seasons accordingly. If this research does not receive funding, Alaska’s fishermen will be left guessing where fish populations are headed, increasing the risk of stock collapses and economic instability for coastal communities.

Additionally, the proposed budget cuts could lead to a reorganization within federal agencies, potentially stripping NOAA Fisheries of its authority over key regulatory decisions. If responsibilities are transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as is outlined in the OMB memo, it may create bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies in policy implementation. These delays or information loss could affect decisions on fishing quotas, habitat protection, and bycatch regulations, all of which require quick, data-driven responses. 

Beyond fisheries management, NOAA’s budget cuts will have significant implications for weather forecasting and ocean monitoring, both vital to the safety and success of Alaska’s fishing industry. NOAA’s forecasting services provide essential information on wind speeds, wave heights, and potential storm systems, helping fishermen make informed decisions at sea. Reduced funding for these programs could lead to less reliable forecasts, placing vessels and crews at greater risk. 

Moreover, real-time monitoring of ocean conditions allows fishermen to adjust their routes based on temperature fluctuations and marine weather patterns—a safety lifeline at risk of being lost. Without adequate information and modeling, the best-case scenario involves extremely conservative TAC setting processes that provide less fishing opportunity due to data gaps and uncertainty. A worse scenario leaves us fishing blind and hoping for the best in the most unstable ocean climate we’ve ever known.  

A short-sighted approach to downsizing NOAA will also result in the loss of talent and expertise in Alaska fisheries management and research, which will take decades to rebuild. For Alaska, a relatively young state with a small population, government resources are hard-won, often requiring Congressional-level advocacy to secure and maintain. 

This is not just a matter of budget cuts—it’s a direct threat to the livelihoods of Alaska’s fishermen and the long-term health of marine ecosystems. If NOAA’s climate research is gutted, the commercial fishing industry will be left navigating a rapidly changing environment without the scientific support it needs to adapt. 

Alaska’s fishing community must rally together to defend the role of oceanographic, biological and atmospheric sciences in fisheries management. Stakeholders, from local fishermen to policymakers, must push back against these cuts and advocate for preserving NOAA’s climate research programs. 

Supporting science means supporting sustainable fisheries and communities, and ensuring Alaska’s waters remain productive for generations.

Photo Courtesy of Alaska Seafood