Unalaska, AK – A shutdown of the federal government could potentially take place by Friday, which would close up national parks and slow down the tax refund process for late filers. But for the most part, Unalaska shouldn't feel any major effects immediately since many of the federal employees here are considered essential staff. The post offices will continue operating, the Marine Safety Detachment will remain open, and fishing vessels will be able to keep their observers on board.

While the fishing industry is federally regulated, vessels should be able to continue on with their seasons. Boats with observer coverage won't lose that, even if Congress fails to pass a budget bill or another stop-gap resolution. That's because observers work on a contract system and are paid by the vessels through third-party contractors, even though they coordinate with the federal government.

"The vessels would be able to continue the observer coverage that they require by going through the contractor system," says Paul Wilkins, who leads the observer program at the National Marine Fisheries Service's Dutch Harbor field station.

But some area NMFS operations could be affected. Krista Milani is a biologist with the agency, and she says that the Unalaska office could close up in the event of a shutdown. That would make it harder for people to get up-to-date information about the fisheries locally. Instead, they would have to call the Alaska Regional Office to have their questions answered.

"We'll still have an in-season manager for fishing in the Juneau office, because we have to leave at least one person in place to manage the fisheries," says Milani. "It shouldn't affect any of the fisheries."

Milani also says that on top of maintaining the observer program and keeping one staffer at the Juneau office, NMFS also expects to keep enforcement officers working, as they are considered essential, according to the Office of Management and Budget.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has also said that it will keep its essential personnel working. However, the Unalaska customs agent could not be reached in time for this story to comment.

The Coast Guard will also keep the MSD office open, because none of the military branches are suspending operations. But the Coast Guard's civilian staff might be put on leave. Charlie Medlicott specializes in fishing vessel safety for the MSD, and he says he would expect to be asked not to work if the government were to shutdown. After all, he went through this once before in 1995.

"If I remember the last time it happened, the government shutdown for like two weeks or something, and I was told to stay home," says Medlicott. "Then after a couple of days, they just told me to come back to work."

The president and congressional leaders are currently working on emergency negotiations to keep the government running.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that observers were paid directly by the vessels. We regret the error.