Southeast Alaska salmon and trout contribute nearly $1 billion to the regional economy and employ one in 10 people. That's one of the main findings of a new report commissioned by Trout Unlimited and authored by respected natural resource economist Thomas Wegge of TCW Economics of Sacramento, California.

The study highlights the need to change the way the U.S. Forest Service manages the Tongass National Forest -- which covers more than 90 percent of Southeast Alaska -- so that it emphasizes the 17 million acre rain forest's value as a fish factory.

"This study really drives home the point that the Tongass is a huge salmon factory. It's one of the few places left in the world where these fish remain healthy and abundant, and if managed correctly, will continue to thrive for future generations," said Trout Unlimited Alaska spokeswoman Paula Dobbyn. Read more.