Ugashik Bay fishermen are used to their sockeye showing up late in Bristol Bay’s salmon season. This summer though was especially trying, but for some, the wait was worth it.
Fisheries
Out-of-state fishermen find their second family in Bristol Bay
Most of the year, Dillingham’s boatyards are peaceful parking lots. They transform entirely for just a couple short weeks before the sockeye salmon run in early June and at the end of the season in late July. Fishermen flood into Bristol Bay from around the globe, creating a diverse itinerant community complete with vendors hawking their wares.
Halibut dock prices rebound, but upswing may not last
Halibut prices fell about $2 per pound at the beginning of the season. But there’s good news for some fishermen: ex-vessel prices are increasing slightly around the state.
Salvage efforts are underway for the F/V Pacific Knight
The F/V Pacific Knight owner will contract with the private company Resolve Marine to salvage the 58-foot vessel that sank Wednesday near Clark’s Point. The entire Nushagak commercial fishing district is closed because the wreck is leaking fuel.
Value of Bristol Bay salmon rises, even as the fish shrink
Bristol Bay’s total sockeye run surpassed 61 million Thursday, making 2018 a record year, just a half-million fish behind the largest run of 61.7 million in 1980.
Commercial fishing in Igushik closed due to fuel spill from F/V Pacific Knight
The Nushagak commercial fishing district closed after a 58-foot tender sank near Dillingham, spilling fuel into the water. F/V Pacific Knight was carrying 1,100 gallons of diesel and hydraulic fuel when it sank.
Nushagak fishing district closed as officials attempt to contain a fuel leak
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game flew a survey of the area Thursday morning after hearing from a pilot and a processor that fuel was spilling from the wreckage.
Coast Guard suspends search for missing Juneau man in Bristol Bay
However, Alaska State Troopers are continuing their search for John Phillips, 59, of Juneau. He’s the only person unaccounted for after the fishing vessel Pacific Knight capsized.
State liberalizes Kuskokwim fishery, lifts multiple restrictions with kings reaching escapement
The following salmon spawning tributaries will remain closed to gillnets: the Kwethluk, Kasigluk, Kisaralik, Tuluksak, and Aniak Rivers.
The ‘Blob’ is gone. But did it heat the Bering Sea enough to threaten your fish sticks?
The blob is gone now, but warm water remains to the north in the Bering Sea. Scientists are pondering potential effects on fish like pollock, which are processed into things like fish sticks and McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwiches.