Fishing in Alaska (Kenai, Sterling, Unalaska: school, wages, living in) - (AK) - City-Data Forum

windsurfingiskewl · 02-04-2008, 08:41 PM

So i also hear about deepsea fishing jobs in Alaska. Is this a big industry or is it a very select few who do it??

Do you just go up there with strong work ethic and hang around the docks looking for work?

Also i can't even imagine how cold it gets. Do people lose their fingers from frostbite when theyre out there?

RayinAK · 02-04-2008, 09:14 PM

Alaska leads the nation on death at sea, primarily the fishing industry. Haven't you watched the TV show tittle "The Most Dangerous Jobs"?
One of the reasons why it's so dangerous is because of the extreme weather, from high winds to low temperatures. For some types of fishing in cold weather, the workers have survival suits, because if you drop in the water without one and still manage to float, the cold water numbs and kills you within a few minutes.
What are the Most Dangerous Jobs?

MarkBevans · 02-05-2008, 08:39 PM

I made it through 30 years of the 4th most dangerous job, Structural Ironworker. I moved to Alaska and now I work on Oil Platforms in Cook inlet. The job I do now isn't in the top ten of dangerous jobs, but flying on those Helicopter every week can't be that safe LOL.

Rance · 02-06-2008, 01:03 AM

There has been a few threads created on this. Some have some links that may have some info you can use.

Seafood and Fishing Jobs in Alaska (http://www.labor.state.ak.us/esd_alaska_jobs/seafood.htm - broken link)

warptman · 02-06-2008, 02:04 AM

Heres the big player in Unalaska...

UniSea, Inc.: Alaskan Seafood is our Business

TANYA5 · 03-09-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tressa

Hmm I beleive you may have been a little mis informed. Mile 12 hill holds the weather in Seward, Moose Pass rarely receives the same weather seen in Seward. I agree there is no real work in Moose Pass just the way I like it as we are retired. They do have an elmentary school there in Moose Pass as my husband and brother in law attened. Once you hit 9th grade thou you will have to be bused into Seward, it is a long trip but I have several friends that grew up in the area even some from Cooper's Landing has to be bused into Seward. They chose to settle down in Moose Pass and take the drive into Seward for work. Not much difference than living in area's around Kenai, Sterling, Soldotna and finding work close by, most still have to travel. Nice thing about Moose Pass in the summer times we are not bombarded by tourist, the Kenai/Soldotna area turns into a HORRIBLE traffic jam during the fishing season.

The only thing that I really don't care that much about Moose Pass is we have a lot of hippy's granted I was once one myself, but I did grow out of it, but they are very pleasant

HI, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME ON THIS SIGHT, I HOPE IM DOING THIS CORRECT. IM ACTUALLY ASKING ANYONE FOR ADVISE FOR MY SON, HE IS WANTING TO COME TO ALASKA THIS SPRING FOR A FISHING JOB. HE IS 26 YEARS OLD A VERY HARD WORKER. RIGHT NOW HE IS LIVING IN GRANTS PASS OR. WAS WORKING FOR THE GRAYBACK FORESTRY , AS A FIREFIGHTER ON WILD FIRES, HE WAS DOWN HERE IN CALIF. THIS SUMMER WHEN WE WERE ON FIRE. SINCE FIRE SEASON IS OVER HE IS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER EXPERIENCE AND IS CHOOSING FISHING IN ALASKA. SINCE HE DOES NOT HAVE A COMPUTER ,I TOLD HIM I WOULD CHECK IT OUT. CAN SOMEONE TELL US WHERE WOULD BE THE BEST PLACE TO LOOK, AND WHAT ABOUT HOUSEING, IS IT PROVIDED OR SHOULD HE GET A APT. WHILE LOOKING. I DONT WANT HIM GOING UP AND JUST ROAMING THE STREETS AND FREEZING TO DEATH... THANKS TANYA MOM

TANYA5 · 03-09-2008, 08:55 PM

Hi, This Is My First Time On This Sight, I Hope Im Doing This Correct. Im Actually Asking Anyone For Advise For My Son, He Is Wanting To Come To Alaska This Spring For A Fishing Job. He Is 26 Years Old A Very Hard Worker. Right Now He Is Living In Grants Pass Or. Was Working For The Grayback Forestry , As A Firefighter On Wild Fires, He Was Down Here In Calif. This Summer When We Were On Fire. Since Fire Season Is Over He Is Looking For Another Experience And Is Choosing Fishing In Alaska. Since He Does Not Have A Computer ,i Told Him I Would Check It Out. Can Someone Tell Us Where Would Be The Best Place To Look, And What About Houseing, Is It Provided Or Should He Get A Apt. While Looking. I Dont Want Him Going Up And Just Roaming The Streets And Freezing To Death... Thanks Tanya Mom

Rance · 03-10-2008, 02:25 PM

Try the search feature on this forum for fishing jobs and such. There are 4 or 5 threads already pertaining to this subject. He can probably get on a boat in the Kenai area for drifting salmon. But wages are low. And unless he pays his own way to Dutch harbor and hangs out on the docks...chances are slim he will get hired sight unseen.

TANYA5 · 03-10-2008, 07:35 PM

Dutch Harbor,Ok thanks alot Rance.are there alot of places to find houseing ?

Metlakatla · 03-10-2008, 07:41 PM

OK. Read some of the fishing threads. Then let your son know that there are other options for summer work in Alaska.

My son was born and raised in this state and even though he is 23 now, I would do anything in my power to dissuade him from working on a fishing boat--and he does has viable contacts that would ensure him a job on a boat. Thankfully, he knows better and I don't have to.