More than 5,000 Alaskans have signed a letter delivered this week to Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, urging the congressman to pursue a ban on bottom trawling in federal waters off the state.

Supporters say the effort reflects growing frustrations among coastal residents, small business owners, and fishermen who argue that industrial trawling continues largely unchecked while other fisheries face severe restrictions.

“The health of our fisheries and the impact of trawling has emerged as a top tier issue for Alaska’s decision makers,” said SalmonState operations director Ryan Astalos. “I have traveled across our great state, talking to Alaskans about the negative impacts of trawling, both on the habitat and the many species that we care about and rely on including salmon, halibut, and crab. From Nome, Fairbanks, and Homer, to Yakutat and everywhere in between, Alaskans are fed up with being restricted or closed to fishing while the trawl industry continues business as usual, often bycatching more of these species than we are allowed to catch for our freezers.”

Trawling, an industrial method that drags large nets across the seafloor to target species like pollock and other whitefish, has long been controversial in Alaska. Critics argue that the practice results in high levels of bycatch.

According to SalmonState, trawl fleets bycatch an average of 141 million pounds of marine life each year. Species caught incidentally include king and chum salmon, halibut, crab, and forage fish such as herring.

At the same time, many Alaska fisheries have faced tightening restrictions or closures in recent years due to declining stocks. On the Yukon River, for example, subsistence fishermen have been barred from harvesting king salmon as runs struggle to rebuild.

As of Feb. 28, organizers said trawl vessels had recorded roughly 1 million pounds of halibut bycatch in 2026. Some fishermen argue the actual mortality could be higher because halibut sorted from nets and returned to the water are estimated to survive only about half the time.

“On the campaign trail, Nick Begich told Alaskans that domestic trawling is not sustainable and major reform is needed. In the same interview, Nick stated that immediate action to protect salmon was necessary and that we must reduce bycatch thresholds. Alaskans are still waiting to hear from Nick following through on the stance he took during the campaign,” said Melissa Norris of Fish Alaska Magazine.

Business owners and fishing advocates who signed onto the effort say the issue goes beyond fishery management and speaks to the long-term health of Alaska’s coastal economies.

"Our family's small business depends on the health of Alaska's oceans and fisheries, which visitors travel thousands of miles to experience," said Timothy Ozerkov, owner of Oz Lodge in Seward, Alaska. “Banning bottom trawling is a meaningful step toward the long-term sustainability and health of Alaska’s fisheries and fishing economy.”