Thursday, August 4, 2022

Alaska Alaska Salmon Catch Now at 116.5 Million, With Sockeye’s Leading at 71.8 Million SeafoodNews.com by Peggy Parker - August 3, 2022 What's missing in today's headline is 'pink salmon', which historically would start to lead in salmon landings statewide, building to a peak in mid-August. Except for a strong showing in Prince William Sound, however, pink salmon landings in other areas of the state are 23-88% below 2020. In Prince William Sound, they are almost double what they were in 2020. For the first time since mid-June, all salmon catches across the state dropped below the three indicators ADF&G uses to gauge historic catches: the same week’s catch from last year, two years ago, and the five-year average catch during the same week. As of August 1, 2022, a total of 116.49 million salmon have been landed, about 70% of the pre-season forecast of 160.6 million. That total is comprised of 206,000 Chinook (about two-thirds of the forecasted 310,000 Chinook), 7.5 million chum (less than half the 15.5 million forecasted), and 420,000 coho. Even as catches pick up to a seasonal peak three weeks from now, it’s unlikely they will reach the pre-season forecast of 2.8 million coho. To date, 36.5 million pink salmon have been landed, just over half of the predicted 67.2 million pinks. Of that total, 24.7 were landed in Prince William Sound, 3 million in Kodiak, and 2.5 million in the Aleutian Peninsula to date. Sockeye landings are now at 71.84 million statewide, close to the pre-season forecast of 74 million. Bristol Bay’s total catch as of July 31 was 59.6 million sockeye, within striking distance of the predicted 60 million before the season began. But escapement has exceeded nearly all goals in the Bay, and the total run this year was 78.4 million, more than 3 million above ADF&G’s forecast. Fishing has ended for the most part in Bristol Bay, but continues throughout the state. In Prince William Sound purse seine fisheries were open for 2 periods last week targeting both wild stocks and Valdez Fisheries Development Associations (VFDA) pink salmon return to the Solomon Gulch Hatchery (SGH). Last week's catch reached 1.6 million pink salmon, down from the previous week. The VFDA run continues strong with the overall commercial harvest of 17.75 million fish exceeding the preseason estimate of 9.9 million. Wild stocks of pink and chum salmon in all districts are trending well and can currently support 2-3 periods per week. Due to the continued strong run entry into Port Valdez there has been little effort targeting wild stocks, but overall effort in the purse seine fishery remains high with an estimated 195 boats fishing. Aerial surveys of all districts remain on a regular schedule of aerial surveys aimed at monitoring wild stock escapement trends is ongoing and weather dependent. Kodiak is in the midst of an 81-hour commercial salmon fishing period from noon Tuesday, August 2 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, August 5 in the following areas: - The Cape Alitak, Alitak Bay, Moser Bay, and Olga Bay Sections of the Alitak District; - The Northwest Kodiak District (except the Anton Larsen Bay, Sharatin Bay, Kizhuyak Bay, and Spiridon Bay Sections will remain closed); and - The Southwest Afognak Section of the Afognak District. There will be a 57-hour commercial salmon fishing period from noon Tuesday, August 2 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, August 4 in the following areas: - The Outer Karluk and Sturgeon Sections of the Southwest Kodiak District; - The Eastside Kodiak District (except the Inner Ugak Bay and Outer Ugak Bay Sections will remain closed); - The Mainland District; - The Duck Bay, Northwest Afognak, Perenosa Bay, Northeast Afognak, Southeast Afognak, and Raspberry Strait Sections of the Afognak District; and - The Humpy-Deadman Section of the Alitak District. The following areas will close to commercial salmon fishing at 9:00 p.m. Thursday, August 4: - The Izhut Bay, Inner Kitoi Bay, and Outer Kitoi Bay Sections of the Afognak District. In Nome, the state summary of the season as of July 29 noted that “Weather again kept fishermen on the beach until midweek. All counting projects were knocked out for a couple of days but over half of them are operational again. “The king salmon run was weak with lengthy subsistence closures in southern Norton Sound, but it looks like we will squeak out the escapement goal. “The chum salmon run was better than expected but was poor in southern Norton Sound and much better in northern Norton Sound allowing for more fishing time there. The harvest forecast was for 5,000-10,000 fish however, over 20,000 fish were harvested. Chum salmon escapement goals were reached on 4 of 5 rivers. “Less than 100,000 pink salmon were harvested, well below the forecast of 250,000 to 1 million fish. Last year's pink salmon harvest of 290,000 fish was the fifth highest harvest in the 62 years of commercial fishing. “We are starting to see coho salmon in the commercial catch but catches are weak so far. The chum salmon forecast is for a 50,000 -100,000 fish harvest. The coho salmon parent year of 2018 was the greatest coho salmon run in Norton Sound history with a harvest of 261,000 fish.” In the Yukon River, the news is dire. On August 1 the state issued the following notice: “The 2022 fall chum salmon run size is anticipated to be critically low, based on this season’s summer chum salmon that was the second lowest on record. The fall chum salmon preseason projection, based on the relationship between summer chum and fall chum salmon, is for a run size less than 300,000 fish. “According to the Fall Chum Salmon Management Plan, the preseason projection does not meet the threshold of 300,000 fish needed to allow subsistence fishing. In addition, the projection is unlikely to meet the drainage-wide escapement goal of 300,000–600,000 fall chum salmon, tributary escapement goals and Canadian treaty objectives. “Therefore, subsistence fishing for fall chum salmon will be closed to begin the fall season. Selective gear can be used to target non-salmon and salmon other than Chinook and chum salmon in most districts. Western Alaska returns of chum salmon stocks are continuing to be some of the lowest on record within the Yukon and Kuskokwim drainages.” https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1231760/Alaska-Salmon-Catch-Now-at-116-point-5-Million-With-Sockeyes-Leading-at-71-point-8-Million GAPP Still Seeking Proposals For Global Partnership Program Urner Barry by Amanda Buckle - August 2, 2022 The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) is still seeking cutting-edge proposals for their next round of Partnership Program funding, but time is ticking on this opportunity. SeafoodNews reported in early June that GAPP had expanded their successful program to focus on global opportunities for wild Alaska Pollock. In its fourth year the GAPP Partnership Program has more than $6.5 million in funds to launch new Wild Alaska Pollock products. Proposals could be for fillets, surimi, roe, fishmeal or oil. While the proposals can come from any segment, GAPP has a particular interest this year in programs that highlight Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) fillets, surimi seafood products, row or fish oil at retail. And the sky is really the limit when it comes to wild Alaska pollock being used as an ingredient. Proposals could be for snacks, pastas or pet food. “If you’ve got the ‘next big thing’ and want to partner with one of the most sustainable, nutritious and versatile proteins on the planet., then we want to help you bring your idea to life with Wild Alaska Pollock,” said GAPP CEO Craig Morris. “Our industry’s progressive Partnership Program operates much like us placing a ‘sure thing’ bet on your band and your products being successful. And, the reason we feel that way is that our consumer-tested research will be at your disposal as we work together to bring your product incorporating our fish to market. That is how confident we are in Wild Alaska Pollock being a true fish of the future.” GAPP is welcoming proposals from any organization and in any country with a desire to build awareness and demand for WIld Alaska Pollock. The goal is to communicate the species’ storied attributes, with particular focus on bringing this fish into new channels, new formats, or associating it with new influencers and/or recipes. “This successful program continues to help us reach our goal of increasing the awareness and demand for Wild Alaska Pollock,” added Morris. “We’re eager to work with you and there’s still time to learn about the program and apply for funds.” Proposals must be submitted to GAPP by August 12. Proposals will then be reviewed by the appropriate GAPP Committee and the Board of Directors. Final funding announcements will be made in mid-September. Find more information here. https://www.seafoodnews.com/Story/1231609/GAPP-Still-Seeking-Proposals-For-Global-Partnership-Program FYI’s USCG Enforcing Safety, Security Zones for Fleet Week Fishermen's News - August 3, 2022 To safeguard the public during Seattle’s Parade of Ships, Fleet Week and Seafair festival from Aug. 1-7, the Coast Guard is enforcing multiple safety and security zones on Elliott Bay and Lake Washington. https://fishermensnews.com/uscg-enforcing-safety-security-zones-for-fleet-week/ Pacific Seafood Processors Association 1900 W Emerson Place Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 206.281.1667 E-mail: admin@pspafish.net; Website: www.pspafish.net Our office days/hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. 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