138 | Business World Magazine |
October 2013
The Bering Sea encompasses more than
two million square kilometers of Pacific
Ocean territory bordered by Alaska, the
Aleutian Islands, Russia and the Bering
Strait that connects these waters to the
icy tides of the Arctic Ocean. Below the
surface, a deep-water basin rises through
a narrow slope allowing the water to be-
come shallower above the continental
shelves. The interplay between the fea-
tures of the sea floor, the currents, sea
ice and weather systems all combine to
accommodate a rich and remarkable eco-
system. Yet, it also accommodates rich
and remarkable opportunities for fisher-
man that have long trawled these waters
in pursuit of Pollock, Pacific Cod, Yel-
lowfin Sole, and other species deemed
succinctly succulent to seafood lovers.
The waters off Alaska supply more than
half of the total amount of wild fish an-
nually supplied to markets throughout
America. The competition between fish-
eries and among fishermen has prompted
an annual, occupational rite-of-passage
known as “The Race,” but over the years,
has also generated concern relative to
overfishing and adverse impact to sensi-
