OPPORTUNITIES

• fishing


  • Commercial fishing employs 1 in 10 Alaskans.
  • Some of the world’s biggest salmon and crab fisheries are found here.
  • Provides 78,500 jobs and adds $6 billion to the USA (some are seasonal).
  • Subsistence fishing; Native American communities remain dependent on fish for food, oil (for fuel) and bones to make clothing and tools = sustainable.
• mineral extraction


  • 1/5th of the state’s mining wealth comes from gold.
  • Silver, iron ore and copper are also mined in the Tintina gold belt and has contributed $2.2 billion to Alaska’s GDP.
• energy


  • Over half Alaska’s income comes from the oil and gas industry.
  • Most oil fields around Prudhoe Bay and the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline connects this with Valdez from where the oil can be shipped to customers.
  • 90% of taxes come from gas and oil so this pays for education, health, policing and community services.
  • The oil pipeline goes under ground in places to protect the migration routes of Caribou.
• tourism


  • Tourist attracted by the wilderness scenery and wildlife like whales and caribou.
  • Around 2 million tourists visit each year bringing in money through hotel rooms, eating dinners in restaurants, car hire, buying souvenirs, escorted tours, taxi bills, which all provide increase employment for the people of Alaska.