Alaska Herring History: The Story of Alaska’s Herring Fisheries and Industry

Alaska Herring History is a thoroughly researched, well-documented, and comprehensive chronicle of Alaska’s herring fisheries. Author James Mackovjak describes the evolution of these fisheries from the late nineteenth century to the present, including harvest, processing, markets, and sustained-yield management considerations.

The book is divided into three parts based on the purposes for which herring have been harvested. Part I is a history of the reduction (fertilizer/fish meal/fish oil) and cured (salted) herring industries and the
bait-herring fisheries; part II is a history of the roe-herring fisheries in Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound, Kodiak Island, lower Cook Inlet, Togiak, and Norton Sound; and part III is a history of the herring spawn-on-kelp industry. Historical and contemporary photos and illustrations--as well as graphs and charts that help summarize the development and, in some cases, the demise of the fisheries--augment this detailed look at the evolution of Alaska’s herring fisheries.

Balancing scientific details, historical facts, and personal anecdotes from experts in the field, Alaska Herring History will be of interest to historians, social scientists, biologists, and fishery managers and makes an important contribution to Alaska fisheries literature.

James Mackovjak has been involved with Alaska’s fisheries since he first arrived in Alaska in 1969, working as a commercial fisherman and operating a small fish-processing business in Gustavus, in Southeast Alaska. His books include Aleutian Freighter: A History of Shipping in the Aleutian Islands Area, Alaska Salmon Traps, and Alaska Codfish Chronicle.