A number of ports in Alaska are being upgraded this year in an effort to optimize safety and efficiency during the 2018 summer fishing season and beyond.
The port of Bristol Bay is preparing for sockeye salmon season by installing a fence around the port area and trying to cut down on the amount of dust produced by the gravel surface roads. More than USD 20 million (EUR 16.7 million) has been spent over the past decade to improve the Bristol Bay port. Additionally, the port authorities have been in talks with Naknek Electric Association about a plan to bury the power lines at the port.
Bristol Bay is not the only Alaskan port to be undergoing repairs. The port of Cordova is replacing some of its 400 30-foot finger floats, and aims to replace 15 of them annually, according to Harbormaster Tony Schinella.
The port of Kodiak has spent USD 60 million (EUR 50.1 million) in the last three years, including replacing both its container and ferry terminals. Changes to the port over the last decade have resulted in it running entirely on renewably energy from both hydroelectric and wind energy sources. In addition, used oil from fishing vessels is collected, filtered, and then provided to the public to burn for heat.
At Dutch Harbor, a USD 40 million (EUR 33.4 million) investment in infrastructure has resulted in the replacement of two of the dock positions where fishing vessels offload their catch. According to port director Peggy McLaughlin, the aging materials that support the positions that are being renovated are scheduled to be replaced with open face sheet pile. The project, which is being paid for by the port and a revenue bond, should be finished by the end of the summer.
Ports in Seward, Homer and Sitka, Alaska are also being renovated this season.
Photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines
