Every salmon you eat from Alaska might exist because of this small Sitka center

Sheldon Jackson Students Build Alaska’s Salmon Hatchery

Alaska faced a fish crisis in the early 1970s when salmon runs crashed to record lows. The state needed a fix fast.

In 1972, students at Sheldon Jackson College took matters into their own hands. They built Alaska’s first permitted salmon hatchery in the basement of the old Sage Building.

This small student project grew into something huge. Today, Alaska’s hatchery network releases over a billion young salmon yearly and employs thousands.

The original facility still runs as Alaska’s oldest and smallest hatchery, where many of today’s fishery leaders got their start.

The Sitka Sound Science Center stands as living proof that sometimes, the biggest waves start with the smallest splash.

Alaska’s Salmon Industry Almost Failed in the 1970s

Alaska salmon runs hit rock bottom in the early 1970s. The state caught just 25 million salmon in 1959, less than 20% of what was needed.

Years of poor management before statehood left Alaska broke and unable to fund proper salmon research. Fishing towns across Southeast Alaska faced shutdowns.

Things got so bad that officials knew they needed new ideas. Alaska’s Fish and Game Department took charge of early salmon recovery efforts.

Voters Changed the Rules to Save Their Fish

Alaska voters took action by changing the state constitution to limit who could fish commercially and allow fish farming. This change let private nonprofit groups run salmon hatcheries.

In the mid-1970s, lawmakers passed bills letting these nonprofit groups operate fish breeding facilities. They wanted to bring back Alaska’s struggling salmon industry through new partnerships.

This legal framework created what would become the biggest ocean ranching program outside Japan.

College Students Helped Fix the Problem

Sheldon Jackson College, started by missionaries in the 1880s, created a two-year fish farming program in 1972. The program taught people about fish farming and management during this tough time.

College leaders saw growing job needs as Alaska built up its fish breeding programs. The school had always taught practical skills to Alaska Natives and other students.

This program became the first place to learn about fish farming in Alaska.

Students Got the First Hatchery Permit in Alaska

The state gave Sheldon Jackson College Alaska’s first salmon hatchery permit in 1972. The permit allowed them to build and run a teaching fish breeding facility.

Students would both build and work at the hatchery as part of their training. This historic permit started Alaska’s private nonprofit hatchery system.

The facility would raise all five types of Pacific salmon for research and breeding.

Young People Built a Hatchery Themselves

Students built the entire hatchery with their own hands in 1972 as part of their classes.

They worked in the basement of the old Sage Building on campus. While building Alaska’s first approved hatchery, these young people learned practical fish farming skills.

The project combined job training with real help for Alaska’s salmon recovery. The building process trained future leaders in both construction and hatchery work.

The Sage Building Basement Became Fish Central

Workers fixed up the Sage Building basement in 1974 to create a proper teaching salmon hatchery. The updates added the right setup for hatching eggs, raising fish, and spawning.

The facility got both freshwater and saltwater systems so students could handle the complete salmon life cycle.

Students could watch and take part in all steps of salmon farming. This work created a permanent home for what would become Alaska’s oldest working hatchery.

Fish Production Started with Five Salmon Types

The Sheldon Jackson Hatchery began growing salmon in 1974, raising all five Pacific salmon types.

The state allowed the facility to raise and release 3 million Pink salmon, 3 million Chum salmon, and 250,000 Coho salmon yearly.

Students ran the hatchery and learned about fish care, feeding, and disease control. The hatchery served as both a classroom and helped boost local salmon numbers.

Their work included catching parent fish, collecting eggs, hatching them, and raising young fish until release.

Hundreds of Students Became Alaska’s Fish Experts

Over the years, hundreds of students trained at the Sheldon Jackson Hatchery. Many went on to lead natural resource jobs throughout Alaska.

Many current Alaska Fish and Game officials got their first fish farming training at this facility. The program provided trained workers for Alaska’s growing network of nonprofit hatcheries.

These trained professionals now work across Alaska.

The Hatchery Model Spread Across the State

Alaska built the second-largest ocean ranching program in the world, now releasing 1.3-1.4 billion baby salmon yearly.

The Sheldon Jackson model helped shape this system throughout Alaska. The network grew to 33 hatcheries run by nonprofit groups and fish farming associations.

Commercial fishermen paid for these operations through taxes they put on themselves from salmon sales. By the 1990s, Alaska hatcheries produced 27-54 million adult salmon yearly, making up 14-37% of the commercial catch.

Student Work Created Thousands of Jobs

The hatchery program now employs about 4,700 people across Alaska, many trained at Sheldon Jackson.

Private nonprofit hatcheries support themselves through fish sales and landing fees. Hatchery-grown salmon add hundreds of millions of dollars to Alaska’s economy each year.

The program provides salmon for commercial, sport, and subsistence.

America’s Oldest Salmon Hatchery Still Teaches Students Today

After Sheldon Jackson College closed in 2007, the Sitka Sound Science Center took over hatchery operations in 2010.

The facility remains Alaska’s oldest operating salmon hatchery and continues its educational mission.

Officials who visit the center often ask about “this little dinky hatchery” because they received their training there. The hatchery continues as the only educational aquaculture facility of its kind in Alaska.

This student-built facility laid the groundwork for Alaska’s modern billion-dollar salmon enhancement industry.

Visiting Sitka Sound Science Center, Alaska

The Sitka Sound Science Center at 834 Lincoln Street shows you where Alaska’s aquaculture industry began when Sheldon Jackson College students built the state’s first salmon hatchery in 1972.

Adult admission costs $15, kids 5-12 pay $5, and under 5 get in free.

Take the “Hatchery 101” hands-on tour with a Fish Technician or go “Behind-the-Scenes” into restricted areas. The facility now releases 6.25 million salmon annually into Sitka Sound.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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