Monday, June 29, 2026
- Jun 29
- 5 min read
Alaska
All's Quiet on the Western Front One Week Before the Traditional Peak of Harvest in Bristol Bay
SeafoodNews by Peggy Parker - June 26, 2026
Bristol Bay's estimated harvest forecast is 32.3 million sockeye, assuming a total run of 44.1 million red salmon. That harvest is usually taken in a whirlwind five to seven days, around or shortly following the Fourth of July. If this week was the quiet before the storm, it was indeed silent.
Commercial catches as of June 23 are 837,509 sockeye salmon. Of the five river systems in the Bay, Ugashik is leading the pack so far with 635,202 salmon landed. Second is Egegik with 135,059 sockeye landed, followed by Nushagak with 54,043. Trailing in terms of timing are Naknek-Kvichak and Togiak.
The forecast harvest of each river system is as follows:
Naknek-Kvichak District: Out of a total run forecast of 11 million sockeye, a projected harvest of 6.2 million for the district is expected. That's comprised of 1.9 million from the Kvichak River, 1.5 million from the Alagnak River, and 2.8 million from the Naknek River.
Egegik District: The 2026 run is forecast to be approximately 8.9 million sockeye salmon, allowing a potential harvest of 7.5 million.
Ugashik District: A total run of 5.2 million sockeye supports a forecast harvest of 4.3 million.
Nushagak District: The total inshore sockeye salmon run forecast is approximately 18.4 million fish, supporting a harvest of 13.9 million.
The total inshore run by river system is:
Wood River, 6.4 million; Igushik River, 890,000; and Nushagak River, 11.1 million.
Nushagak is under strict new rules to protect the weakened run of Chinook salmon. Under the Nushagak District King Salmon Stock of Concern Management Plan regulations, there are three triggers that govern the opening of the set and drift gill net fisheries, all concerning escapement of sockeye and, more importantly, Chinook or king salmon.
Togiak District: The total run is forecast to be approximately 530,000 fish, allowing a harvest of 370,000 fish. The Togiak return is designated as "poor," which may result in vessels that fish other districts not being permitted to fish in that area. ADF&G also notes that fish size may be smaller than usual.
The latest stock composition from the Port Moller Test Fishery (PMTF), taken June 20–21, shows that fish entering the fishing grounds are 37.4% from the Nushagak stock, 18.1% from the Egegik stock, and 12.4% from the Ugashik stock.
ADF&G's most recent announcement from the Nushagak District noted that sockeye escapement was 50,000 for the day, bringing the cumulative total to 239,000 through June 23.
"The current king salmon escapement is the second lowest ever for this date since enumeration began. We are currently projecting a total season king salmon escapement of 18,000 based on current escapement and historical run timing," ADF&G said. "We are waiting to fish until we are certain we have more than surpassed the triggers in the stock of concern plan. We are not there yet; therefore, we will continue to gather additional information and update the fleet tomorrow."
Westside Area Biologist Tim Sands issued a statement Monday, June 22, noting that based on the PMTF, he was expecting "a significant number of sockeye salmon to start arriving in the Nushagak District on the 23rd.
"It will take them until the 25th to get as far as the sonar, where we can count them as escapement."
The wind we saw in the forecast yesterday seems to have diminished," Sands explained. "Still, we think we may be approaching sonar passage that may allow us to start fishing as soon as Friday [today]. The earliest we could announce is Wednesday, so we can put the fleet on short notice for fishing as early as Friday morning. It is possible that we will delay this opening for king conservation, but we want to have the option to fish by Friday."
Our king salmon counts are far below expectations, and we must factor that into the decision-making process. The district test boats are not catching many king salmon either, but the sockeye harvest is increasing. Our hope is we get some wind that can move king salmon through the district and boost the escapement prior to fishing," he concluded.
National
Senate version of US Farm Bill also includes seafood provisions
SeafoodSource by Nathan Strout - June 26, 2026
The U.S. Senate has released its version of the Farm Bill, and, like the version passed by the House, the massive legislation includes multiple provisions meant to support the seafood sector.
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International
3MMI - China Seafood Market Update: Cod, Pollock & Salmon Prices Stay Firm
Tradex Foods - June 29, 2026
China's seafood market remains tight as constrained raw material supplies continue to support Pacific cod, pollock, halibut, and salmon pricing. Atlantic cod and haddock are showing signs of weakness as inventories improve, while China's strong buying activity continues to influence global seafood trade, including Argentine squid, shrimp, and premium species.
FYI’s
Department of Commerce Announces 2026 Appointments to the Regional Fishery Management Councils
The Secretary of Commerce appoints 22 new and returning members to the regional fishery management councils.
NOAA Fisheries - June 26, 2026
The U.S. Department of Commerce announces the appointment of 22 new and returning members to the regional fishery management councils.
Prince William Sound Salmon Fishery Announcement #12 & 13
The Cordova Times by the Department of Fish & Game - June 26, 2026
Announcement #12ESHAMY DISTRICT: Waters of the Main Bay Subdistrict up to a line of buoys in front of the hatchery barrier seine will open for a 24-hour period starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26.
GSA Unveils Program for Responsible Seafood Summit 2026
Industry leaders to gather in Bangkok for four days of learning and networking
Global Seafood Alliance - June 26, 2026
Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) has released the preliminary program for the Responsible Seafood Summit, set for September 21-24 at the Shangri-La Bangkok in Bangkok, Thailand.
In Memoriam
Martin Eaton
Kodiak Daily Mirror - June 26, 2026
Martin Eaton, longtime Kodiak resident, passed away at his home on April 22, 2026.
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