A Socioeconomic A Socioeconomic Baseline Baseline Assessment of the Assessment of the Pribilof IslandsPribilof IslandsMarine Science Symposium January 2007

Project Background

•Research supports the Pribilof Islands Collaborative (PIC).•Issues of common concern among the stakeholders are declines in fur seal and seabird populations, diminishing halibut catches, and the attendant effects on the local communities.•In 2004, the PIC identified several socioeconomic data gaps that would help the PIC and others plan for and mitigate eventual fishery management measures and enhance local stewardship of marine resources.

The Pribilof Islands - Methods

The overarching objectives of this research are to:

1. Establish the value of the halibut and other fisheries in the Bering Sea – both to the region as a whole and to the islands.

2. Identify community and island-specific impacts of changes in fisheries.

3. Document history of and potential for local environmental and economic stewardship of marine resources.

4. Quantify the economic importance of subsistence harvests of halibut, fur seals and other resources.

The Fisheries

• More survey respondents “used to be” fishermen (27%) than are currently fishermen (16%). • In 1999, CBSFA employed 177 people. In 2004, they had 87 employees.• In 1999, total revenues for the City of St. Paul were $3.67 million. In 2005 the total revenues were $590,000.• In 1999, total general fund revenues to the City of St. George were $1.2 million, but in 2004 were only ~$40,000.• CDQ groups have been and continue to be large contributors to the economies of both islands.

• A 2005 NOAA study found that St. George did not meet any of the 11 criteria established for identifying fishing communities in Alaska, and St. Paul only met 3 criteria.

• Evidence suggests that both islands very much used to be fishing communities, but have undergone changes in recent years that may have reduced the role of fisheries

Subsistence: Consumption

•80% consume subsistence food occasionally or more. •For 65%, subsistence foods account for 20% or more of overall consumption. •Cost (St. George) and taste (St. Paul) are the primary reasons for consumption of subsistence foods. Other major reasons are health and culture/tradition.

Consumption of Subsistence Foods

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Never Rarely Occasionally Frequently Very often

St. George St. Paul

Subsistence: Culture/Tradition

•The majority of subsistence harvesters (81%) share their harvests at least occasionally.•The majority of individuals on St. George (70%) and St. Paul (84%) who do not participate in subsistence harvests receive subsistence food from others.

•Personal choice (St. George) and natural factors (St. Paul) are most likely to affect participation in subsistence harvests.

Subsistence Harvests

0

500

1000

1500

2000

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

St. Paul Fur Seal St. George Fur Seal St. Paul Sea Lion

The Environment and Environmental Stewardship

•44% of St. Paul respondents feel the environmental quality is “very good” or “extremely good”. Only 31% of St. George respondents feel similarly.

•The majority of respondents on St. George (81%) and St. Paul (63%) feel that, at least to some degree, the environmental quality of the islands is getting worse.

•42% of St. George respondents and 62% of St. Paul respondents currently participate in environmental stewardship activities.

Perception of Environmental Quality

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

1 2 Gettingworse

3 4 Staying

thesame

5 6 Gettingbetter

7

St. George St. Paul

The Economy

• Approximately 75% of respondents work at least part-time, with another 12% of respondents being retired. •70% of respondents have lived off-island at some point during their life. •We analyzed census data from 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000 for all Alaska communities to look for relationships between population, income and unemployment. •The majority of respondents believe the economy is getting worse.

Economic Perceptions

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

1 2 Gettingworse

3 4 Staying

the same

5 6 Gettingbetter

7

St. George St. Paul

Conclusions

• There is not a simple, stable socioeconomic “baseline” for the Pribilof Islands; however, • The use of methods to gather local and traditional knowledge provided key information not previously available.• Results showed that residents of the Pribilof Islands are keenly aware of changes that are occurring on their islands.• A repeat of this study in five or ten years would give some indication of trends in comparison with the baseline we’ve established.

Special Thanks and Acknowledgements To• The people of St. George

and St. Paul • The Pribilof Island

Collaborative and its members

• The Traditional Council of St. George and Tribal Government of St. Paul

• Our on-island project partners, Max Malavansky Jr., Aquilina Lestenkof, Phillip Zavadil and Haretina Porath

• Stephanie Martin• The North Pacific Research

Board

Questions or Comments?