The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy financial toll on the Alaska seafood industry, with skyrocketing operating costs and upended markets. Worst of all, the chaos may not be behind it.
"We were hit with a lot of curve balls," said Dan Lesh, a consultant with McKinley Research Group, who presented data on the industry for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute's (ASMI) All Hands meeting held online on Tuesday.
McKinley estimates COVID-related costs for Alaska seafood processors have reached between $50 million - $60 million (€42 million - €51 million) since March 1.
