Monday, October 21, 2024

Alaska 2024 Wild Salmon Season: Unraveling the Causes Behind Declining Landings Expana by Joshua Bickert - October 21, 2024 This story was originally published on www.comtell.com on October  18, 2024.The 2024 Alaskan wild salmon season experienced significantly lower landings across all species, including Chinook (king), chum (keta), pink, coho, and sockeye. With the season largely wrapped up through September 7, landings for sockeye across Alaska were down 20% compared to 2023, with pink landings falling 44% from 2022 YTD and the chum catch dipping 32% year-over-year, respectively, according to Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute's Weekly Alaska Salmon Updates produced by the McKinley Research Group.Back in September, McKinley Research Group noted that the harvest of lower than 100 million salmon was 70% of the preseason forecast and was down 34% from last year (or 2022 for pink salmon).This has led to questions about the underlying causes. The short answer is that there are multiple contributing factors. These reasons can be broadly categorized into two groups: biological factors and those influenced by human activity.Biological FactorsEnvironmental Changes: Climate change has significantly impacted salmon habitats, disrupting both spawning and rearing conditions. Warmer water temperatures and altered river flows have contributed to reduced survival rates. This year, the Columbia River saw a record return of sockeye salmon. This was a massive surprise as warm waters have made it more difficult for salmon to pass over the past decade. Even with the record return, concerns remained all the way through the early summer when a July heatwave left managers highly concerned about the return.Predation and Competition: Increased predation from seals, sea lions, and other marine predators has put additional pressure on salmon populations, especially as predator numbers have risen. These animals often target salmon during their migration, reducing their chances of survival. Additionally, competition with non-native species, such as smallmouth bass and northern pike, further impacts salmon by competing for food and habitat, making it harder for salmon populations to recover. Together, these factors contribute to the decline in wild salmon numbers.Human InfluenceHabitat Degradation: Loss of freshwater habitats due to human development, agriculture, and dam construction can impact salmon spawning and juvenile growth. Take the impact of the Klamath River dams as an example. As SeafoodNews’ Susan Chambers wrote on October 18, for the first time in over a century, Chinook salmon have already returned to reopened habitat in a tributary above one of the recently removed Klamath River dams. The removal project, which was the largest in U.S. history, will allow for a 240-mile stretch of the river to flow freely with hopes of improved salmon returns in the Pacific Northwest.Regulatory Measures: To address declining salmon stocks, authorities have implemented area closures and fishing restrictions. These measures are intended to reduce fishing pressure, giving salmon populations time to recover and rebuild while promoting the long-term sustainability of the fisheries.Market Dynamics: Economic factors can reduce fishing efforts when lower market prices or rising costs, such as higher fuel prices or increased gear expenses, make fishing less profitable. This can lead some fishers to scale back operations or exit the industry, decreasing overall fishing pressure on salmon stocks.Last year, a petition circulated through the fishing industry, with the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA) asking for price mediation. Many fishermen said salmon prices wouldn’t even cover trip costs, per reports from SeafoodNews.Shifts in Fishermen's Focus: Some fishermen may shift their focus to more lucrative species due to better market conditions or higher profitability if they can find them, reducing effort in salmon fishing. This could lead to lower salmon harvests and reduced market availability. Additionally, changes in quotas, regulatory pressures, or environmental factors impacting salmon stocks may further compound the diminishing supply.The decline in wild salmon landings during the 2024 season stems from a mix of environmental challenges and human influences. Climate change, predation, and competition with other species have impacted salmon survival, while habitat loss and regulatory measures have further constrained populations. On top of these pressures, market dynamics and shifts in fishing practices have reduced harvests. Addressing these diverse factors will be critical to the future sustainability of wild salmon fisheries. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1288155/2024-Wild-Salmon-Season-Unraveling-the-Causes-Behind-Declining-Landings International New Canadian patrol targets remote high seas to protect salmon Canadian fishery officers keep eyes on industrial fleets in North Pacific CBC News by Yvette Brend - October 18, 2024  A federal fisheries vessel sailed north this September, some 12,000 nautical miles (22,200 kilometres) to the Aleutian Islands, the first Canadian patrol of its kind in the North Pacific. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/coast-guard-cutter-1.7354350 Labeling and Marketing 3MMI - Pacific Halibut: Harvest Short, Supply Tight, Season Ending Soon Tradex Foods - October 21, 2024 There is less than 47 days left in the Pacific Halibut season while the harvest is trailing by nearly 2,000,000 pounds compared to last year’s pace, but is also the lowest landings at this timing in the season in the past 5 years. On the market side, it appears Halibut can also be added to the list of whitefish that is in tight supply. Watch to Find Out More. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqzU45_Q2Jo&t=4s Federal Register North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 10/21/2024 The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Bering Sea Fishery Ecosystem Plan Climate Change Taskforce (CCTF) will meet November 6, 2024. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/10/21/2024-24249/north-pacific-fishery-management-council-public-meeting

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