Despite significant improvements since the early 90s, fishing is still the most deadly profession in Alaska, according to a new report from the state’s Department of Labor.

Sara Verrelli is a research analyst in charge of the state’s occupational fatality census.  She says fishing has made up 30 percent of all workplace deaths in Alaska since 1992, when the census began.  That’s a much higher rate than any other industry.

“And there’s such a difference because – I’ll use pilots as an example. If a plane goes down and say there’s 10 people on the plane, if they’re not working, it’s just the pilot, if the pilot’s working.  If it’s just a bunch of people out on a hunt, they’re not fatalities.  Whereas usually when fishing boats go down, everyone is usually working.”

Verrelli says the overall number of workplace fatalities in Alaska has been on the decline since the 1992.   That year there were 91 deaths on the job as opposed to a low point of 17 in 2009.  Verrelli says it’s difficult to say exactly why that’s the case. 

“We know there’s been more emphasis on safety in general, at both the state and federal level, for both fishing and aviation.  But we have no correlation to say ‘yep, this was it.’”

The number of workplace deaths in Alaska remains well above the national average, even with the decline.  From 2004-2008, the state had 10.8 deaths per 100,000 workers, compared to 4.0 nationally.  The only state with a higher rate was Wyoming.

Verrelli says Alaska will probably always be above the national average, simply because of the nature of jobs in the state.

“I don’t know if it can go any lower, but I think we’ll never be back in up the thirty point whatever fatality rates.  Those days are gone I think.”

The full report is available here.