A dense haul of Alaska pollock emerged from the turbulent waters of the Bering Sea, tightly entangled in the net as it surfaced. Among the catch spilling onto the deck were various marine creatures like a skate, crabs, jellyfish, and notably, salmon — a species at the heart of a contentious debate surrounding industrial trawling activities in Alaska.

Maverick Blake, the captain of the vessel, acknowledged the challenges of unintentionally catching non-target species in the wild fishery but emphasized the necessity of such practices to meet the demand for seafood. Blake altered the boat’s course to seek out fishing grounds with fewer salmon to minimize bycatch.

Alaska pollock stands as the second-largest fishery globally, prominently featured in popular food items like McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, fish sticks, and imitation crab meat. While the fishery employs methods aimed at reducing environmental impacts, the nets used to catch pollock also inadvertently capture other marine life.

Bycatch, which refers to unintended catches while targeting specific species, accounts for around two percent of the total catch in the pollock fishery. Given the massive scale of the fishery, even this small percentage translates to hundreds of thousands of salmon annually.

The issue of bycatch has escalated as salmon populations dwindle in western Alaska, affecting Indigenous communities reliant on these fish for sustenance for generations. The controversy has extended to smaller commercial and charter fishers who are experiencing the repercussions of declining stocks. Trawling practices and bycatch have become focal points in Alaska’s midterm elections, with candidates debating the need for stricter industry regulations.

In efforts to conserve salmon populations, a seven-year ban on Chinook fishing was imposed along the Yukon River by Alaska and Canada in 2024. Moreover, warming ocean conditions, rather than trawl bycatch, are primarily attributed to the decline in salmon runs. However, critics argue that minimizing bycatch remains crucial, especially when dealing with depleted fish stocks.

Onboard the F/V Progress, Captain Blake and his crew actively work to avoid catching salmon during their fishing expeditions. Despite the challenges, industry representatives maintain that the Alaska pollock fishery is among the most well-managed globally, with stringent monitoring and mitigation measures in place to minimize bycatch.

The debate surrounding trawling extends beyond concerns over salmon populations to encompass broader environmental impacts and the livelihoods of various fishing communities. The frustration and opposition toward trawling practices have garnered support from diverse groups, including political candidates, commercial fishers, and Indigenous communities, all advocating for stricter regulations to protect marine resources and habitats.