I want to study surimi/crabsticks and the pollock fisheries. How do I get from Japan to Dutch Harbour(!)? Can I get an impression of the fisheries by making a visit to Dutch Harbour. Others things of interest in the area for my mission? Would it be possible to go out with a boat/commercial vessel? Whisch season would be the best?

Take a look at the homepage and tips of VT member "RickinDutch". He is living in Dutch Harbour.

To get from Japan to Dutch Harbor you'll need to probably fly Narita/Seattle/Anchorage/Dutch Harbor. Or, if you can get to Taipei you can get direct flight to Anchorage on China Air. Lots of ship traffic but they won't take passengers due to SOLAS and liability issues.

There are three large processing plants here in Dutch Harbor: Unisea (Owned by Nippon Suisan), Westward (Maruha), and Alyeska (Maruha). All can get very proprietary in the processing equipment/procedures. Processing Surimi during Pollock A&B seasons (A-Mid Jan to Mid April)(B season Mid july to Mid October).
Besides surimi plants are switching over to higher value fillets more and more. Surimi market not as strong as it used to be with the decline in appeal in Japan markets. No crab cakes here, just cooked and IQF for shipment to US.

Getting on vessels is very difficult for liability issues as well, especially to go to sea with them.

If you are thinking of coming, let me know and I will introduce you to some of the plant managers.

Rgds
Rick

Thank you! This is VT at its best! And to Rick: Hope I'll see you then, but I'm in the early phase of planning.
Thanks again