'We fish for unknown prices, and the markets have our fish before they tell us the price:' Bristol Bay fishermen under crushing financial hardship look to lawmakers for help

With Bristol Bay base prices paid to sockeye fishermen abysmally low this season, even the most thrifty, prepared and knowledgeable fishermen are struggling under the weight of soaring costs.

Ronalda Angasan, an Alaska native and third-generation fisherwoman who grew up in the village of Ugashik, told IntraFish this year her family planned for a lower base pay, and even decided to stay in the Naknek district to save on fuel costs, as one way to combat the decline.

Angasan fishes with her husband, who is also an Alaska native from Naknek and a fourth-generation fisherman in Bristol Bay.