RESEARCH Localized pra challenges fo

Increasing enclosure in fisheries, the rising cost of living in northern rural areas, and the For many of Alaska’s coastal communities, current economic realities are defined by over-Lowe Maritime Studies (2015) 14:6 DOI 10.1186/s40152-015-0024-ytowards vertical integration and reliance upon imported labor (Lowe 2008). Eyþórsson (1997) raises the question about how fisheries are becoming more efficient but for whomcapitalization of fishing fleets, property rights based management regimes, dramatic fluctu-ations in both global fish and fuel prices, and the vagaries of a rapidly changing environment. Barriers to entry in fisheries are increasing, particularly for young people, resulting what is now colloquially referred to as the “graying of the fleet ” (Rosvold 2007), or an aging fisheries workforce in many of Alaska’s communities. Potential growth indus-tries such as seafood processing operations, often controlled by non-local entities, move© L psingle sector economies of many coastal communities have increased community vulnerability to short and long-term resource and market instabilities. This article situates Alaska coastal youth within the current economic uncertainty experienced by communities traditionally reliant upon commercial fishing. Focus group interview