What are various positions on the  visitor-charter/ subsistence/ sport/ commercial fish allocation. What is the effect of "visitor fishing" on fish allocations in Sitka area? Salmon: status and trends and how has the visitor industry affected fish allocations in the Sitka area? (Community H)

Andrew Thoms July 17, 2006

Nature Based Tourism in Southeast Alaska

This report covers Phase II of a larger research project with the goal of providing a broad overview of the regional economy of Southeast Alaska, including trends over time for individual communities and boroughs. The primary purpose of the Southeast Alaska economy project is to add to the information and knowledge base available to help people make informed decisions. The field research was organized into two case studies: 1) Ketchikan as a gateway community for nature-based tourism activities, and 2) Chichagof Island as a destination. The communities investigated included Ketchikan, Elfin Cove, Hoonah, Pelican, Tenakee Springs, Sitka and Juneau. An important goal of the summer 2005 field work was to determine which field methods were most effective and efficient.

Prepared by the Institute of Social and Economic Research University of Alaska Anchorage for the Alaska Conservation Foundation

2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Alaska

Federal Government Publication

Glacier Bay National Park
Science Advisory Board:  Final Report

Research and Monitoring Needs Relevant to Decisions Regarding Increasing Seasonal Use Days for Cruise Ships in Glacier Bay

Prepared by the Glacier Bay Vessel ManagementScience Advisory BoardSeptember 2005

Appendices (180+ pages)

From the Northwest Cruise Ship Association

Juneau Tourism Best Management Practices

Here are a few important documents detailing how Juneau is addressing some tourism issues.

Cruise Ship Visitors to SEAK by port - 1996 - 2005

(from Fred Reeder)

Obtained the numbers from U.S. Customs Service documents over the years. The Small ship numbers come from each individual companies that sends me their data at the end of the season.
 
For Sitka Please note the following:
 
The drop in Passengers from 1996 to 1997 was due to Holland America Line moving 3 of their ships from Sitka to Skagway. Holland America Line has always had an Alaska Highway component and prior to 1997 people would fly to Juneau and take a small passenger vessel from Juneau to Skagway and then embark the ship or go up the highway; they now load the passengers directly onto the ship from the Highway tours.
 
The increase from 2005 to 2006 is due to lack of berth space in Ketchikan on certain days. Sitka gets the overflow from a couple of ships. This will change in 2007 when it is anticipated that the extension to berth 3 in Ketchikan will be completed and Berth 4 will be constructed. It is expected that Ketchikan will have an expansion of their port facilities of approximately 56 million dollars in 2006 and 2007. Sitka also loses the Infinity which is an every Friday ship to the port of Icy Strait Point (Hoonah). The preliminary 2007 schedule shows Sitka getting approximately 200,000 passengers or a decline of about 25% next year with no real increase in sight. Hoonah will have five (5) ships per week next year and because of their size will have about as many passengers as Sitka.