Friday, October 30, 2026
Alaska
ADF&G Forecasts 67 Million Pink Salmon for Southeast Alaska in 2027, Largest Run Since 2013
SeafoodNews by Peggy Parker - October 29, 2026
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has forecast a 2027 Southeast Alaska pink salmon harvest of 67 million fish. That would be the largest harvest since 2013 and the fourth highest on record. "The 2027 harvest forecast of 67 million pink salmon would be the largest harvest since 2013 (94.7 million) and would be the 4th highest harvest on record," Andrew Piston, ADF&G's Southeast Alaska Salmon Research Supervisor, wrote.
The forecast rests on juvenile fish. "This forecast reflects a 2026 juvenile pink salmon abundance index value (3.51) that was the largest since 2016 (8th highest of 30 years), and cool spring and early summer temperatures," Piston wrote.
"Pink salmon harvests associated with juvenile indices above 3.00 have ranged from 35 to 95 million fish."
The main data source is the Southeast Alaska Coastal Monitoring (SECM) program, which began in 1997, nearly 30 years ago. The 2027 forecast relies mainly on juvenile abundance indices from waters north of Southeast Alaska. Surface trawl surveys are conducted in June and July in upper Chatham and Icy Straits, and catches from those surveys have been highly correlated with the following year's adult harvest.
Juvenile abundance in northern inside waters during summer 2026 was well above average, suggesting many adults will return in 2027. Runs can still vary with changing ocean conditions. The forecast reflects the best available information from long-term monitoring by the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Auke Bay Laboratories and ADF&G.
Forecasts are not precise. ADF&G's Southeast pink salmon forecasts have been spot-on about 43% of the time over the last 23 years. They underestimated the run about 22% of the time and overestimated it about 35% of the time.
Increasing quality, safety, and sustainability of Alaska seafood
National Fisherman by Paul Molyneaux - October 30, 2026
The seafood marketplace is a battleground, and the fight between wild and farmed salmon has raged since the early 2000s.
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National
National Seafood Association Comments on America First Seafood Strategy
Perishable News by Linda Wallenda Picard, National Seafood Association - October 28, 2026
Commenting on the America First Seafood Strategy, the National Seafood Association applauds the Trump Administration for recognizing the essential role seafood plays in America’s economic health and public health.
Environment/Science
Supporting Alaska’s Aquaculture Industry Through Collaborative Site Visits
Experiencing aquaculture operations first-hand gives NOAA Fisheries staff a deeper understanding of farming technologies and aids in permitting efficiencies.
NOAA Fisheries by staff - October 28, 2026
Aquaculture operations in Alaska are expanding and increasingly adapting to new technologies.
Federal Register
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska
A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 10/30/2026
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the annual 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.
FYI’s
Alaska pollock captains open the wheelhouse for live Q&A
National Fisherman by NF Staff - October 28, 2026
Commercial fishermen and others interested in Alaska’s pollock fleet will have a chance to hear directly from working trawl captains during a live conversation hosted by the Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance.
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