Fatal Occupational Injuries in the U.S. 

Commercial Fishing Industry:

Risk Factors and Recommendations

Vessel Disaster

Fall Overboard

On-Board Injury

On-Shore Injury

Diving Injury

Alaska Commercial 

Fishing Fatalities, 

2000-2009 (133 Total)

Alaska Region
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the federal government agency responsible 

for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. 

NIOSH recently completed an in-depth study of commercial fishing fatalities in the United States during 2000-2009. 

The purpose of the study was to identify the most hazardous fisheries around the country and to describe the 

unique safety issues in each. For this study the US was divided into four fishing regions: Alaska, West Coast, East 

Coast, and the Gulf of Mexico. This document is one in a set of four reports summarizing fatality data for US fishing 

regions.

About This Report

During the decade of 2000-2009, 133 commercial fishermen died while working in Alaskan waters. The fewest 

fatalities occurred in 2000 and 2009, with eight occupational deaths in each of those years. In 2001, 24 fishermen 

died on the job, including 15 in a single vessel disaster (Fig. 1). On average for the 

decade, 13 fishermen were killed per year. Half of the deaths were caused by 

drowning following vessel disasters (e.g. sinking, capsizing, fire, etc) in which the 

crew was forced to abandon ship (Fig. 2). Another 31% of fatalities were the 

result of falls overboard. The 12 fatal injuries sustained on-board were the 

result of being struck by gear (4, 33%), falling from height (3, 25%), getting 

caught in a deck winch (2, 17%), asphyxiation in a confined space (2, 17%), 

and a drug overdose (1, 8%).

Although vessel disasters contributed to the most fatalities during the decade 

as a whole, the incidents types varied from year to year. For example, in 2001 

79% of fatalities resulted from vessel disasters, but in 2007 there were none 

related to a vessel disaster. In 2006 there were no fatal falls overboard, but in 

2009 88% of deaths were caused by falls overboard.

Five fisheries contributed to 80% of fatalities in Alaska during 2000-2009 (Fig. 

3). Fisheries with fewer than five deaths included black cod (Sablefish), 

sea cucumber, shrimp, herring, pollock, and others. The salmon fishery 

experienced the most occupational deaths with 39 fatalities. Falls overboard 

caused the most deaths among salmon fishermen (17, 44%). Almost all (13, 

76%) occurred on drift-gillnet vessels and were usually the result of a trip 

or slip. Most (13, 76%) were not witnessed. Vessel disasters contributed 

to 33% of deaths in the salmon fishery. Most of these vessel disasters 

(8, 62%) occurred on set-net skiffs and were almost always (6, 75%) 

swamped and capsized in poor sea conditions. The cod and sole 

fisheries experienced the next highest number of fatalities during this 

time period (26 and 21 respectively). These fatalities occurred most 

often after a vessel disaster with multiple lives lost in each event.

25

20

15

10

5

0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

30

Number of Deaths

Year

Alaska Commercial Fishing Fatalities 

by Year and Incident Type (133 Total) Figure 1
50%

31%

9%

7%

3%

Alaska Commercial Fishing

Fatalities by Incident Type (133 Total)

The Coast Guard has developed tailored prevention programs for specific fisheries in 

Alaska that mitigate hazards found in high risk fisheries such as the Bering Sea crab fleet, 

as well as the Bering Sea Aleutian Island trawl fleet that fishes for sole and cod. As a result 

of these efforts, the fatality rate in the Bering Sea crab fisheries declined by 60% during 

1990-2009. This improvement was due to the implementation of a preseason dockside 

enforcement effort developed by the Coast Guard in concert with vessel operators. 

Additionally, in 2005 the largest crab fisheries underwent changes in the way they were 

executed. The previous “race to fish” was “rationalized” meaning that each vessel was 

awarded the rights to catch a certain amount of crab. This change resulted in a slower 

paced fishery and a consolidation of the fleet. A different Coast Guard program known 

Although the salmon fishery experienced the highest number 

of fatalities, it was not the highest risk fishery in terms of the 

fatality rate. The fatality rate accounts for the number of 

workers and exposure time on the water, and provides a 

way to compare risk using a common denominator (Table 

1). While the Bering Sea crab fishery has seen major safety 

improvements since 1999, during 2000-2009 it was still a high 

risk fishery in Alaska.

Vessel disasters often result in multiple fatalities. The 67 

deaths due to vessel disasters during 2000-2009 took place 

in 30 separate incidents (Fig. 4). Vessel disasters were 

usually caused by a sequence of events, starting with an 

initiating event. The most common initiating events were: 

being struck by a large wave, operating with compromised 

vessel stability, and flooding. Severe weather conditions 

contributed to 67% of vessel disasters.

Falls overboard accounted for 31% of all fatalities in the 

Alaska commercial fishing industry during 2000-2009. Falls 

overboard were caused most often by tripping or slipping on 

deck (29%), losing balance (22%), and gear entanglement 

(15%) (Fig. 5). Factors that contributed to falls overboard 

were: working alone on deck (61%), using alcohol (24%), and 

poor weather conditions (15%). None of the victims of falls 

overboard were wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD).

Vessel Disaster

Fall Overboard

On-Board Injury

On-Shore Injury

Diving Injury

Data Key

Conclusions

Figure 2

0 10 20 30 40

Number of Deaths

50

Cod

Sole

BSAI

Crab

Halibut

Fishery

Salmon

Alaska Fisheries with Five or More Fatalities 

During 2000-2009 (107 Total) Figure 3

Commercial Fishing Fatality Rates for 

Full-time Equivalent (FTE) Workers, 

Alaska, 2000-2009

Fishery Fatalities FTEs

Annual 

rate per 

100,000 

FTEs*

Bering Sea 

Aleutian Island 

Freezer Trawl

22 6,489 340

Bering Sea 

Crab 12 4,658 260

Alaska Halibut 10 7,519 130

Alaska Salmon 39 34,287 115

* Rates were calculated by dividing the total number 

of fatalities for the 10 year period by the total annual 

FTE.

Table 1
Steering

Failure

Prop

Entanglement

Fire/

Explosion

Struck by Instability Flooding Struck Rocks

Large Wave

4

2

0

Number of Vessel Disasters

6

8

10

Unknown

Events

Undecked (skiff) Decked

Initiating Events Contributing to Fatal Vessel Disasters, Alaska, 2000-2009 

(30 Disasters with 67 Deaths) Figure 4

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

14

Number of Deaths

Struck By

Gear

Gear Washed Over Jumped

Entanglement

Trip Slip Lost Balance Unknown

Causes of Fatal Falls Overboard, Alaska, 2000-2009 (41 Total) Figure 5

as the Alternate Compliance Safety Agreement (ACSA) focused on the Bering Sea Aleutian Island trawl fleet 

that fish for cod and sole. ACSA required vessel inspections to improve hull and material condition of the vessel, 

updated vessel stability guidance, additional lifesaving and fire fighting capabilities, and demonstration of 

emergency drills by the crew.

The salmon fishery in Alaska claims the highest number of lives. While not the highest risk fishery in the State 

(assessed by the fatality rate), there are clearly safety problems which need to be addressed. Priority should be 

given to the specific areas contributing to the most deaths. This report identified falls overboard on drift-gillnet 

vessels and swamping/capsizing of set-gillnet skiffs as the problems of greatest concern. To reduce fatalities due 

to falls overboard on drift-gillnet vessels, fishermen should wear a PFD on deck, utilize a man-overboard alarm 

system, and have procedures and equipment in place to recover a man-overboard. To prevent deaths on setgillnet skiffs due to swamping and capsizing in adverse sea conditions, fishermen should wear a PFD in the skiff, 

especially in bad weather. Avoid going out in sea conditions that exceed the safe operating limits of the skiff. 

Finally, have emergency communications equipment on-board to call for help.
Take a marine safety class at least once every 5 years - Safety training for fishermen is available, 

affordable, and saves lives. All fishermen should learn and know how to use basic lifesaving equipment 

like immersion suits, life rafts, EPIRBs, and fire extinguishers.

Do monthly drills: Abandon ship, Flooding, Fire - Safety training equips fishermen with survival skills and 

knowledge. Monthly drills give fishermen an opportunity to practice and re-enforce those skills.

Test immersion suit for leaks - When watertight, immersion suits provide thermal protection and flotation 

in cold water. If an immersion suit has leaks, it will provide less protection from cold water. Instructions for 

inflation testing immersion suits are available at www.amsea.org.

Heed weather forecasts and avoid fishing in severe sea conditions - Make the decision to stay in port 

when the seas are too rough for your vessel to operate in. Keep track of forecasts and seek shelter 

before the storm arrives or intensifies beyond the safe operating limits of your vessel.

Maintain watertight integrity - Inspect and maintain the hull of your vessel and all through-hull fittings. 

When seas are rough, ensure that watertight doors and hatches are sealed. Inspect and test high water 

alarms regularly.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Vessel Disasters

Falls Overboard

Wear a PFD on deck - Falls overboard occur without warning or time to prepare. A PFD stowed away 

onboard will not help float a fisherman who has fallen overboard. Wearing a PFD on deck is the single 

most important thing a fisherman can do to increase survivability following a fall overboard. There are 

many new styles of PFDs which have been evaluated by fishermen in real working conditions and are 

comfortable to work in on deck. Results of the NIOSH PFD study are available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/

topics/fishing. 

Utilize a man overboard alarm system - Man overboard alarms are devices which alert others instantly 

to a fall overboard emergency, even if the fall was not witnessed. Systems vary in 

features and cost, but even the most inexpensive and basic system can save 

lives by immediately sounding an alarm if a fisherman falls overboard. 

Some of these systems can also benefit fishermen who work alone on 

small vessels by shutting down the engine if the sole operator falls 

overboard. This gives the fisherman, especially one prepared by 

wearing a PFD, a chance to get back to the vessel and re-board it.

Conduct monthly man-overboard drills - If you fell overboard, would 

you want it to be the first time your crewmates tried to recover a manoverboard? Practicing man-overboard recovery procedures is essential 

for a crew to perform well in an actual emergency.

On-Board Injuries

Install emergency stop (e-stop) devices on deck machinery - Deck 

machinery, especially deck winches, are particularly hazardous and result 

in many fatal and non-fatal injuries. Emergency-stop buttons have been 

developed specifically for deck machinery on fishing vessels and can 

be adapted and retrofitted onto any winch or other machinery. More 

information about e-stops for fishing vessels can be found at www.

cdc.gov/niosh/topics/fishing.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Alaska Pacific Regional Office

NIOSH Commercial Fishing Safety Research Program

Jennifer Lincoln and Devin Lucas

4230 University Drive, Suite 310

Anchorage, AK 99508

P: 907-271-2382

F: 907-271-2390

cdc.gov/niosh/topics/fishing

Twitter: @NIOSHFishing

Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number: 2011-103

November 2010