The 2015 Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery is over.
The fleet reached its quota of about 8700 tons of herring on Wednesday evening (3-25-15), after a full week of slow and steady cooperative fishing.
Alaska Department of Fish & Game biologist Dave Gordon estimated that seiners had about 150 tons left to mop up on Wednesday. About four boats went out, and by 5 p.m. those final tons were being pumped onto tenders.
The fleet fished exclusively in the northwest portion of Sitka Sound, starting last Wednesday (3-18-15). Because of the low price this year, the 48 permit-holders had agreed to forego a competitive fishery and split up this year's quota, with each boat targeting a set amount. The result was a quieter, slower season than Sitka is used to.
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