The summer’s discontent has translated into a fall call to action for some Bristol Bay fishermen.
An online petition that went live Nov. 3 had more than 821 signatures from fishermen and other supporters as of Nov. 10, asking the State of Alaska to intervene regarding sockeye salmon prices.
Erick Sabo started the petition. He wrote it up this summer, but waited to open it up for signatures until fall had come, and nothing had changed about the summer’s low prices.
“I hate to see fifty cents, I can’t believe it,” he said. “I’ve been in a state of shock and depression since I put the boat up. And even though we’re at this terrible level, I think it is bringing people together.”
Major processors paid out about 50 cents per pound this summer, and while some fishermen received icing or chilling and bleeding bonuses, no one reported receiving adjustments to that base price by early November.
The petition asks the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to facilitate mediation between fishermen and processors.
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