Sitka. . . The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today the preliminary guideline harvest level (GHL) for the 2016 Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery is 15,674 tons based on a 20% harvest rate of a forecast mature biomass of 78,372 tons. To forecast biomass, the department uses an age structured analysis model using a long time series of egg abundance and age composition data from department surveys conducted during and following the spring fishery. Herring egg abundance is estimated using aerial surveys designed to map the length of shoreline receiving spawn, and dive surveys which estimate the density of eggs and the average width of the spawn. The department mapped 87.9 nautical miles of herring spawn in the Sitka Sound area during the spring of 2015, compared to the Read more…
2016 SOUTHEAST ALASKA PINK SALMON HARVEST FORECAST
The Southeast Alaska pink salmon harvest in 2016 is predicted to be in the strong range, with a point estimate of 34 million fish (80% confidence interval: 13–55 million fish). An actual harvest of 34 million pink salmon would be below the recent 10-year average of 38 million pink salmon. The 2016 forecast was produced in two steps: 1) a forecast of the trend in the harvest, and 2) the forecast trend adjusted using 2015 juvenile pink salmon abundance data provided by the NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, and Auke Bay Laboratories. A brief discussion and description of the forecast methods can be found at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#forecasts Department staff will be available to discuss this forecast and plan for Read more…
Observer Program Outreach Meeting
NOAA is coming to Petersburg to hold an Observer Program Outreach meeting on Thursday, December 10, at 5:00 pm at the Public Library. If you will be out of town for the NP Council meetings that week there will also be an Outreach meeting in Anchorage on Wednesday, December 9, at 5:30pm following the Council meeting. Here is an announcement for all the outreach meetings: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/observers/outreachfall15.pdf
Legislative Audit of CFEC
The legislative audit of CFEC is available. The audit was requested to find if efficiencies and cost savings could be achieved by consolidating CFEC into the ADF&G now that the State’s fisheries are stabilized in terms of limited entry. Here is the full audit: http://legaudit.akleg.gov/docs/audits/special/dfg/30081rpt-2015.pdf
Two ASMI Positions Filled
There are two new hires at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. Alexa Tonkovich is the new Executive Director, promoted from ASMI’s International Program Director. Michael Kohan is also hired as the new Technical Program Director.
Direct Marketing Class
Cynthia Wallesz of Caw Consulting will hold another Direct Marketing class on Friday, October 30, from 1:30-4:30 at the Petersburg Public Library for $70. You can register at the library, by calling 907-772-3349, or at this website http://psglib.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=2226&lib=
ASMI All Hands on Deck Meeting
The ASMI All Hands on Deck meetings will be held October 20-23 in Anchorage. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn about salmon pricing, cod markets, herring uses, and more.