Salmon fisheries are opening up this month from one end of Alaska to the other. Total catches so far of mostly sockeye, were under one million fish, but will add up fast from here on. A total haul for all Alaska salmon this season is pegged at 221 million fish.
A highlight so far is a 40 percent increase in troll action at Southeast regions, where nearly 300 fishermen are targeting king salmon. That’s likely due to a boosted price averaging $7.54 a pound, up $1.88 from last year.
Speaking of high prices – Alaska halibut fishermen are fetching well over $6 a pound for their catches at major ports. The longline fleet is nearing the half way mark, with 10 million pounds left remaining in this year’s 17.4 million pound catch limit. Kodiak is in the lead for halibut landings, followed closely by Seward and Homer, which has yet to top the one million pound mark.
Likewise, sablefish, or black cod, is nearing the half way point of that fishery’ 23.5 million pound quota. Fishermen are getting more than $7 a pound for larger sizes (over seven pounds) and over $6 for medium weights.
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