Hatcheries

Bucket of eggs

In contrast to hatchery programs in other areas, Alaska's salmon fishery enhancement program was not built to mitigate habitat losses associated with human projects. Alaska has healthy well-managed wild stocks and a robust and healthy hatchery program that was designed to minimize wild stock interactions and enhance fisheries. Our hatchery programs for commercial fisheries are stakeholder driven and overseen by fishermen who strongly support Alaska's mandate to protect wild stocks while enjoying the economic opportunities derived from renewable resources that are well managed.

For more information about the Alaska hatchery program please see: Alaska Salmon Hatcheries
(PDF 1,425 kB).

Hatcheries have been an important part of the State's fisheries for decades, releasing more than a billion fish each year into Alaskan waters. There are several distinct types of hatcheries in Alaska:

Private nonprofit (PNP) salmon hatcheries produce salmon to enhance commercial, sport, subsistence, and personal use fisheries. PNP hatcheries are typically owned and operated by regional aquaculture associations or independent nonprofits, though several hatcheries are state owned and the operations are contracted to PNP corporations.

Sport fish hatcheries produce fish specifically to enhance sport fisheries. These facilities are owned and operated by ADF&G. Please See Enhancing Opportunities for Southeast Alaska for more information.

Other hatcheries include two federally-operated research facilities and a hatchery operated by the Metlakatla Indian Community.


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