Trident says Wrangell is 'solid' for next year

Even though Trident Seafoods reopened its Wrangell plant this summer after a three-year closure, many in town were nervous about the long-term prospects. Salmon prices were miserably low due to an oversupplied market from last year and foreign competition. Worrying is part of human nature.

But the half-century-old, family-owned seafood processor had some good news for Wrangell last week: Trident’s plan to operate the plant is “solid” for next year. And even though the company is looking to sell its facilities in Ketchikan and Petersburg as it restructures its operations to match market reality, it intends to keep the Wrangell plant.

“Wrangell is a highly efficient plant that makes products that feed our value-added salmon operations,” a company official said.

In addition, Wrangell will be part of the company’s plans to modernize and retool its remaining Alaska plants “to be more efficient, effective and sustainable operations,” officials said Dec. 12. More information will come later.

Trident purchased the Wrangell facility about 14 years ago, and this year expanded its usual chum salmon processing to add pinks to its heading, gutting and freezing operation. Company officials explained this summer that the seafood market continues to shift from canned salmon toward more frozen product, leading the processor to take in pinks at the Wrangell plant.

While the decision to sell its Ketchikan and Petersburg facilities, plus its operation at False Pass in the Aleutian Islands, creates uncertainty in those communities, Trident’s decision to stick with Wrangell is welcome end-of-the-year news. It means a buyer for the local commercial fishing fleet; revenue to the borough from its share of the state tax on salmon landings; jobs for plant workers; and the economic benefits of those wages moving through town.

It's been a rough few years for the community through pandemic closures, aging borough-owned buildings that need costly repairs, and last month’s deadly landslide that still dominates the town’s emotions.

Trident’s decision to stick with Wrangell is welcome good news.

— Wrangell Sentinel