The Togiak herring fishery opened Sunday morning with a windy start. More than 30 mph gusts posed a challenge for fishermen during the state’s largest sac roe herring fishery.
Fisheries
Making a better “hot dog of the sea”
Tyre Lanier visited Alaska a few decades ago to encourage fisheries to make an in-demand seafood product. Now he’s back with a way to improve it.
Haines Fishermen’s Alliance to advocate for salmon, habitat in face of large mine
A new Haines fishermen’s group called the Haines Fishermen’s Alliance will work to advocate for salmon and salmon habitat. The alliance was formed to counter development of a large-scale hard rock mine from what is now exploration at the Palmer Project by Canadian company Constantine Metal Resources Limited.
Douglas man could face years of jail time, hefty fines for subsistence herring roe sales
Jeff Katasse has a long history with herring eggs, going back to when his parents taught him how to harvest them as a kid in Sitka. As the cost has risen to participate, he started taking orders.
Opponents of salmon ballot initiative raise over $2 million
The opposition group, called Stand for Alaska, reported major contributions from some of Alaska’s biggest industry players.
Sealaska dividends boosted by other corporations’ oil and zinc earnings
Sealaska says its businesses are making more money and helping boost shareholder dividends. But much of the payout comes from other corporations’ resource earnings.
Wrangell cancels its 65-year-old King Salmon Derby
Wrangell canceled its annual king salmon derby for the first time because of record low chinook forecasts and state restrictions. Wrangell has held the longest king derby in Southeast Alaska, lasting a whole month. The local Chamber of Commerce will hold a silver salmon derby instead.
Southeast king salmon cuts hit commercial trollers, net fisheries
Commercial salmon trollers in Southeast Alaska are tied up to the dock this month after a shortened winter season, closed early because of conservation concerns for king salmon stocks. They’ll be getting only a limited shot at fishing around hatchery king runs this spring and are feeling the impact of fishing restrictions.
As new oil spill response vessels arrive, Alyeska argues Prince William Sound is safer than ever
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company is bringing on Edison Chouest as a new contractor responsible for oil spill prevention and response. The switch has drawn scrutiny and criticism. So Alyeska is trying hard to reassure Alaskans that Prince William Sound — the site of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill — will be safer than ever before.
Sitka herring fishery closes early, 8,300 tons short of quota
The Sitka sac roe herring fishery has shut down early this year, falling 8,330 tons short of this year’s guideline harvest level. This is the fourth time in six years the herring fishery has shut down before meeting the quota.