Journal of Science Policy & Governance
Volume 23, Issue 01 | October 23, 2023

Policy Memo: Bycatch Mitigation Strategies in the Gulf of Alaska

Zoe Spaide, Julia Evers, Trevor Freyvogel, Jillian Smith, Olivia Selkirk
  1. University of Pittsburgh, Department of Geology and Environmental Science, Environmental Studies Program, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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​Corresponding author: [email protected]; [email protected]​
Keywords: marine management; marine policy; ocean policy
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG230109 ​

Executive Summary

Commercial fishing is a crucial industry in Alaska’s economy, but unsustainable fishing practices, especially bottom trawling, lead to excessive bycatch and economic discards. This poses a major threat to marine ecosystems and their biodiversity, which puts the resources within Alaska’s fisheries at risk of diminishing to a point where they cannot meet human demand. Through extensive research and evaluation of this issue and existing legislation that governs Alaska’s fisheries, we recommend the full implementation of two specific measures across all of Alaska’s fisheries. One is electronic monitoring on all vessels in the form of deep learning cameras, and the other is a “freeze the footprint” approach on bottom trawling, which protects key seafloor habitats within the existing area that has been damaged by previous trawling activity. These efficient methods are a safer alternative to on-site observation, and they will lead to a healthier seafloor ecosystem, which is essential for marine life. Alaskan communities rely on their fisheries, and maintaining healthy marine ecosystems is critical to economic stability. ​

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Background header image courtesy of WWF
Zoe Spaide is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh completing a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a Certificate in Sustainability. She is planning to pursue a career in environmental education in the nonprofit sector. 

​Julia Evers is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh completing a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a Certificate in Sustainability. She is planning to pursue a career in environmental law and is passionate about environmental intersectionality and how it affects climate policy. 

Trevor Freyvogel graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2023 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies. He currently works for the PA Resources Council assisting with their collection events and zero waste services. 

Jillian Smith graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2023 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a Certificate in Sustainability. She is currently pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector working to protect and preserve Pittsburgh’s waterways. 

Olivia Selkirk graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2023 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a Minor in Creative Writing. She will be pursuing a master's degree in Earth and Geoinformation Sciences in 2024. 

Acknowledgments 
We would like to thank our professor Dr. Patrick Shirey for his assistance and support through the writing process and the University of Pittsburgh Environmental Law and Policy class for giving us a platform to submit our manuscript. We’d also like to thank the JSPG and our editors, Abigail Boyd and Piyush Kumar, for their constructive feedback and insightful suggestions.

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