Hundreds of commercial salmon fishermen around Kodiak Island opted not to fish this past summer. That’s according to data released by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game earlier this month on Nov. 5.
Limited participation, a lack of salmon, and additional market factors created one of the lowest valued commercial seasons on record.
Kevin Fisher is the president of the Alitak District Setnet Association, which represents roughly 70 permit holders who fish around the southern end of the island, although less than 50 were actively fishing this year.
He said approximately 23 of his association’s members – roughly a third – didn’t even fish this summer. Many opted out after their usual buyer, OBI Seafoods, pulled the plug on operations in the area three months before the anticipated start of the season.
The group ultimately found another processor and hired a tender to transport their catch. But Fisher said the tender sat empty for a month until a fishing period for pink salmon opened in the Alitak District in July.
“So we were really kind of stressing out, with having this boat there and not making any money; all the fishermen and nobody’s making any money,” Fisher explained. “So luckily, we had I think one opener in July and then finally in August it turned on and we got some fish down here.”
Two total tenders eventually arrived from Washington state to deliver fish from the Alitak District Setnet Association’s skiffs to town. Fisher said the second came up in August when things were going “gangbusters” to help deliver the excess of fish.
Salmon fishermen across the state struggled this summer, regardless of gear type, with the overall commercial salmon fishery harvest statewide bringing in almost $100 million less than last year’s harvest.
read more at nationalfisherman.com.
