Record Pink Harvests in AK Peninsula, Kodiak, and PWS Puts 2015 Season 3rd Highest
Alaska’s 2015 pink salmon season will go on record as the third highest harvest for the fishery ever with landings now at 177 million fish. Record landings in the Alaska Peninsula of 15.2 million pink salmon are nearly double the previous record in 2013. In Kodiak, pink landings to date are 28.26 million fish, just surpassing the previous record of 28.16 pink salmon in 2013. Meanwhile, the Prince William Sound catch set a record high this season at 97 million fish. As of yesterday, Alaska’s total salmon haul this season stands at 247 million fish.
We run a piece by bestselling author Seth Kanter about what he thinks President Obama should be shown during his visit to Kotzebue this week. Kanter, an Alaska native, wishes the President’s tour will feature the rural countryside, which he says truly represents the town and the state of Alaska. “I do know that compared to the natural world of Northwest Alaska, this town can appear less than impressive. I'm afraid Mr. Obama will see so little, while so many try to touch him,” writes Kanter.
In other news Americold has been selected to build a state-of-the-art refrigerated warehouse along the Portland waterfront in Maine. The project is part of a state-led effort to make the port more competitive and to boost Maine's seafood, agriculture, and food and beverage industries.
Meanwhile, the strong US Dollar continues to put downward pricing pressure on the Alaskan sockeye market. Wholesale prices for Alaska’s big money fish are down as much as 40% in some markets, and 20-25% in others. An abundance of small sockeye salmon has also been a drag on the market.
Finally, Mexican fishery authorities are getting pressed to delay the start to the Pacific wild shrimp season to October 1st. This push by offshore shrimp producers follows a stock report that showed low populations and smaller sized shrimp. "We ask it be delayed until October, to give it time to grow shrimp, which still presents small sizes and has not filled out,” said Ricardo Michel Luna, leader of the Union of Owners of Coastal Pacific.
To Read Full Story Login Below.