This document summarizes an ethnographic study of the cultural beliefs and practices of commercial fishermen in Southeast Alaska. Semi-directed interviews were conducted with 52 fishermen in Juneau, Kodiak, and Sitka about topics like fishing practices, beliefs about the environment and body, and views on regulations. Quantitative analysis found no significant relationships between variables like state of origin, gender, and views on regulations. Qualitative results identified common beliefs in things like sympathetic magic, women on boats, weather omens, and sacrificing the first catch. Fishermen had both positive and negative views on environmental policies, praising conservation efforts but criticizing some rules as unfair or poorly understood. The study concludes Alaskan fishermen have a syn

1. Ethnoichthyology
of Southeast Alaska
2015 WAISC Presentation
Andrew Thomason
BLA Anthropology and Biology

2. "Ethnobiology and ethnomedicine are
exciting and revolutionary
multidisciplinary fields at the center of
many current debates on culturally
appropriate management of the
biodiversity and the human and
animal health."
- Andrea Pieroni, Editor and Chief,
Journal of Ethnobiology and
Ethnomedicine

3. Methods
Semi-directed interviews with
commercial fishermen
Selection for adults (>18 years
old) with at least 3 years or
seasons of experience
52 Interview Conducted in
Juneau, Kodiak, and Sitka

4. Limitations
Spatiotemporal Correlates
Ensured Anonymity
Willingness to Participate

5. Interview Topics
Fishing Practices Home, Body, and Self
Beliefs
The Environment and
Regulations

6. Results
Body Art
Termination
Home/Office Art
Policy Issue
Deaths via Fishing
MarMam
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

7. Quantitative Analysis via
Chi-squared Testing of Categorical Data
State of Origin and
Years Fishing
Gender and Fish
Representation
Years Fishing and
Regulation Concerns
State of Origin and
Regulation Concerns
-0.18205
-0.0533
-0.02876
-0.25533
Results Continued
Alpha .05/95% Confidence

8. Qualitative Results
Reoccurring Beliefs and
Practices:
• Sympathetic Magic
• Ladies on the Vessel
• Rainy Days and Salmon
• First Catch Sacrifice

9. Results Continued
Environmental Policies:
Kudos and Complaints
Kudos
• Maintains Fish Stocks
• Reprimands Over-harvest
• Maintains Local Economies
• Maximizes Fishermen
Livelihood
Complaints
• Political (Permit Stacking)
• Unfair to Alaska Natives
• Marine Mammal
Protection/Violence
• Not Well Understood

10. Ethnoichthyological Conclusions
Syncretic Ecological Knowledge
and Cooperative Management
Fish are "out there", seemingly apart
from local commercial fishermen- as
reflected in sociocultural phenomena
Gender representation and identity,
both dynamic, seemingly in flux

11. What Makes for
Good Fishing?

12. "A Lot of Things."
- Every Fisherman.
Ever.

13. Acknowledgements
Dr. Erica Hill, The URECA
Committee, Kim Stewart Greinier,
the Kimmel Family for hosting me
in Sitka, Nathan Bodenstadt, Point
Abercrombie Park Staff, Dr. Brian
Vandernaald, the Alutiiq Museum in
Kodiak and Brian Fraley, and my
informants during the study

14. Thanks for listening!
Any Questions?