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SEAFOODNEWS.COM (by John Sackton) — May 21, 2014 — The Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run this year is forecast to be around 26.58 million fish, with a commercial harvest pegged at 16.86 million fish.

Last year's harvest was around 15.5 million fish, slightly below the forecast. The reduction in supply led to a major price spike, with the base price to harvesters around $1.50, the highest level it had been in many years.

This year the run may be coming in early. Packers report that tenders will be on the ground by June 9th.

This year, the commercial Togiak herring fishery began on April 27th, compared to May 11th in 2013 and May 14th in 2012.

In 2013, the date where Bristol Bay harvests first passed 1 million fish per day - which normally indicates the peak of the run is arriving, was June 23rd. That was the second earliest date since 1993, according to ADF&G.

This year the peak run may be even earlier, coming between June 22 and June 29th, according to some observers.

Read the full story at Saving Seafood>>

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